


Helmut Starr
Principal
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Practice Areas
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Professional Overview
Education
Community/Civic Involvement
Law Practice
Helmut’s practice is focused primarily on municipal, land use and zoning law, and commercial litigation, with a focus on financial, fiduciary, and probate litigation. He represents governmental entities, including serving as City Attorney for two cities in St. Louis County. He has successfully litigated zoning and other public law issues in state courts in Missouri and Illinois. Helmut has served as lead counsel in several multi-million dollar litigation matters before courts and arbitration panels, as well as partnering with clients in large-scale redevelopment and zoning projects. His municipal experience includes:
City Attorney, City of Oakland, Missouri (1989-present)
City Attorney, City of Lakeshire, Missouri (2005-present)
City Attorney, City of Webster Groves, Missouri (1995-2018)
Litigation Counsel for the City of Clayton (1993-1994)
Litigation Counsel for the St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority (1992-1994)
Assistant City Attorney, City of Creve Coeur, Missouri (1990-1991)
Prosecuting Attorney, City of Kirkwood, Missouri (1987-1988)
Bar Admissions
Missouri (1985)
Illinois (1986)
U.S. Tax Court (1996)
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit (1988)
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri (1985)
Professional Associations & Memberships
American Bar Association, Litigation and Municipal Law Sections
The Missouri Bar
Illinois State Bar Association
Missouri Municipal Attorneys Association
International Municipal Attorneys Association
Awards & Recognition
Named The Best Lawyers® 2021 “Lawyer of the Year” in St. Louis for Litigation, Land Use and Zoning
Named The Best Lawyers® 2020 “Lawyer of the Year” in St. Louis for Municipal Law
Selected among America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators (2019)
Named The Best Lawyers® 2019 “Lawyer of the Year” in Missouri for Litigation, Land Use, and Zoning
Named The Best Lawyers® 2018 “Lawyer of the Year” in St. Louis for Litigation-Municipal Law
AV Rated Martindale Hubbell (1995 – present)
Best Lawyers in America; Land Use & Zoning, Municipal Law, Real Estate Law (2008-2018)
Named Best Lawyers® St. Louis, Missouri, Land Use and Zoning, “Lawyer of the Year” (2015)
Selected for inclusion in Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers: Commercial Litigation, Financial and Fiduciary Litigation, Land Use & Zoning Law Litigation, Land Use and Zoning, Municipal Law, Real Estate Law (2007 – 2016)
Professional Overview
Law Practice
Helmut’s practice is focused primarily on municipal, land use and zoning law, and commercial litigation, with a focus on financial, fiduciary, and probate litigation. He represents governmental entities, including serving as City Attorney for two cities in St. Louis County. He has successfully litigated zoning and other public law issues in state courts in Missouri and Illinois. Helmut has served as lead counsel in several multi-million dollar litigation matters before courts and arbitration panels, as well as partnering with clients in large-scale redevelopment and zoning projects. His municipal experience includes:
City Attorney, City of Oakland, Missouri (1989-present)
City Attorney, City of Lakeshire, Missouri (2005-present)
City Attorney, City of Webster Groves, Missouri (1995-2018)
Litigation Counsel for the City of Clayton (1993-1994)
Litigation Counsel for the St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority (1992-1994)
Assistant City Attorney, City of Creve Coeur, Missouri (1990-1991)
Prosecuting Attorney, City of Kirkwood, Missouri (1987-1988)
Bar Admissions
Missouri (1985)
Illinois (1986)
U.S. Tax Court (1996)
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit (1988)
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri (1985)
Professional Associations & Memberships
American Bar Association, Litigation and Municipal Law Sections
The Missouri Bar
Illinois State Bar Association
Missouri Municipal Attorneys Association
International Municipal Attorneys Association
Awards & Recognition
Named The Best Lawyers® 2021 “Lawyer of the Year” in St. Louis for Litigation, Land Use and Zoning
Named The Best Lawyers® 2020 “Lawyer of the Year” in St. Louis for Municipal Law
Selected among America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators (2019)
Named The Best Lawyers® 2019 “Lawyer of the Year” in Missouri for Litigation, Land Use, and Zoning
Named The Best Lawyers® 2018 “Lawyer of the Year” in St. Louis for Litigation-Municipal Law
AV Rated Martindale Hubbell (1995 – present)
Best Lawyers in America; Land Use & Zoning, Municipal Law, Real Estate Law (2008-2018)
Named Best Lawyers® St. Louis, Missouri, Land Use and Zoning, “Lawyer of the Year” (2015)
Selected for inclusion in Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers: Commercial Litigation, Financial and Fiduciary Litigation, Land Use & Zoning Law Litigation, Land Use and Zoning, Municipal Law, Real Estate Law (2007 – 2016)
Education
Community/Civic Involvement
Recent News

CHGO Sponsors Two Charity Golf Tournaments
May 1, 2023

Curtis, Heinz, Garrett & O’Keefe Law Firm Announces New Partners and Associates
Jan 30, 2023

Cindy Ormsby Listed in 2022 Top 100 Missouri Lawyers
Dec 21, 2022

Robert E. Jones Reelected to Missouri Bar Board of Governors
Aug 17, 2022

City of Northwoods First Annual Juneteenth Celebration Event
Jun 27, 2022
Practice Areas
Recent News

CHGO Sponsors Two Charity Golf Tournaments
May 1, 2023

Curtis, Heinz, Garrett & O’Keefe Law Firm Announces New Partners and Associates
Jan 30, 2023

Cindy Ormsby Listed in 2022 Top 100 Missouri Lawyers
Dec 21, 2022

Robert E. Jones Reelected to Missouri Bar Board of Governors
Aug 17, 2022

City of Northwoods First Annual Juneteenth Celebration Event
Jun 27, 2022
Practice Areas
Recent News

CHGO Sponsors Two Charity Golf Tournaments
May 1, 2023

Curtis, Heinz, Garrett & O’Keefe Law Firm Announces New Partners and Associates
Jan 30, 2023

Cindy Ormsby Listed in 2022 Top 100 Missouri Lawyers
Dec 21, 2022

Robert E. Jones Reelected to Missouri Bar Board of Governors
Aug 17, 2022

City of Northwoods First Annual Juneteenth Celebration Event
Jun 27, 2022