Emily D. Roman

Emily D. Roman is a skilled researcher and writer who routinely handles all motion practice from the inception of a case through trial, as well as appellate briefing. She's briefed numerous appeals involving various substantive and procedural issues in all three Missouri Courts of Appeal and the Missouri Supreme Court.

Ms. Roman has a passion for defending her clients by advocating and supporting them throughout litigation and encouraging them to tell their story. She's successfully represented clients in complex litigation matters, including personal injury, property damage, premises liability, and breach of contract actions.

Prior to joining HeplerBroom, she was a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Angela Turner Quigless at the Missouri Court of Appeals for the Eastern District. As a law clerk, she observed oral arguments and worked closely with Judge Quigless in drafting appellate court opinions.  

In her free time, she enjoys unwinding with a long run while listening to either a comedy or true crime podcast.

Education

• Saint Louis University School of Law, J.D., 2016
• University of Missouri-Columbia, B.A. in Journalism, cum laude, 2011

LAW SCHOOL HONORS/INVOLVEMENT

• Judge Robert G. Dowd, Sr., Appellate Advocacy Award
• Moot Court Board
• National Moot Court Competition
  • 1st Place (Regionals)
  • Best Brief (Regionals)
  • 10th Place (Nationals)
• Saint Louis University Law Journal
  • Editor-in-Chief (Volume 60)

Admissions & Affiliations

• Missouri
• U.S. Districts Court for the
  • Eastern District of Missouri
  • Western District of Missouri

• Secured affirmation of summary judgment on Plaintiff’s personal injury action against Hidden Valley following a snowtubing accident. Following oral argument, the Missouri Court of Appeals for the Eastern District affirmed on the basis that Plaintiff signed a release of liability prior to snowtubing and assumed the risks of participating in the activity. Ferbet v. Hidden Valley Golf and Ski, Inc., 618 S.W.3d 596 (Mo. App. E.D. 2020)

• Secured reversal of summary judgment following a dispute between landowner and holder of Right of First Refusal (ROFR) over the interpretation of a parties’ ROFR Agreement. On appeal, the Missouri Court of Appeals for the Southern District reversed and instructed the trial court to enter summary judgment in favor of landowner as well as to award reasonable attorney fees. Niemuth v. Gaston, 688 S.W.3d 51 (Mo. App. S.D. 2024)

• Secured affirmation of summary judgment on Plaintiff’s premises liability claim against landowner following an accident in which a tree fell on Plaintiff while logging on landowner’s property. The Missouri Court of Appeals for the Southern District declined to extend the inherently dangerous activity doctrine to include injuries to an independent contractor’s employees while logging or harvesting timber. Holterman v. Copeland, -- S.W.3d --, 2024 WL 4600261 (Mo. App. S.D. 2024)

• Won summary judgment in favor of Hidden Valley on Plaintiff’s personal injury and premises liability claims following skiing accident. The trial court held that Plaintiff’s claims were barred because she knowingly and voluntarily signed a release of liability. Plaintiff did not appeal. Park v. Hidden Valley Golf and Ski, Inc., et al., No. 20SL-CC02319 (Mo. Cir. Ct.)

• Won summary judgment in favor of property owner and representative on Plaintiff’s personal injury claim following an accident on a construction site on the basis that Defendants did not retain substantial control of the job tasks, physical activities, and safety protocols of the construction site. Plaintiff did not appeal. Terhardt v. Brentwood-Forsyth Partners 1, et al., No. 23SL-CC00531 (Mo. Cir. Ct.)

• Briefed Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Personal Jurisdiction on Plaintiff’s personal injury claim following injury on a construction site while Plaintiff was unloading windows from a trailer. Plaintiff elected to dismiss Defendant Porter Bros., Inc. following corporate representative deposition. West v. Porter Bros, Inc., et al., No. 2:23-cv-04089 (W.D. Mo.)

Honors & Awards

• Best Lawyers' list of “Ones to Watch” (2023-2025)

News

Events & Speaking Engagements

• “Recent Significant Developments in Consumer Protection Law,” American Bar Association audio seminar (July 14, 2020). (co-presenter)

Blog Posts