Helping Families Take Care of Family for More than 35 Years
When Dan Reuter took a risk and opened his own law firm in 1988, he had no way of knowing that he was creating a family business that would still be serving the community more than 35 years later. The firm began specializing in estate planning and elder law and soon focused its mission on helping families take care of family. It was true then and is still true today.
While Dan’s mission is still impacting families, he has handed the baton to his daughter and son-in-law, Erin and Mike Merkle, while he enjoys retirement with his wife Pat. Pat, a CPA, continues to assist the firm from behind the scenes as she has done since its inception.
Erin joined Dan in 2010 after graduating from University of Missouri School of Law. And now, almost 15 years later, Erin is still focused on the practice of estate planning and elder law issues. Erin is a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) as certified by the National Elder Law Foundation and is one of five CELAs in the St. Louis area. In addition, Erin is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Missouri Bar Trust and Probate Law Committee and Elder Law Committee, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, and numerous local chambers of commerce. She serves on the boards for Heartland Industries, Inc., a sheltered workshop in St. Louis County and Nazareth Living Center, a senior retirement community.
In early 2022, Mike Merkle joined his wife at the firm. Mike graduated from the University of Missouri in 2004 with bachelor degrees in business administration and international studies. In 2008 Mike graduated from the University of Missouri with his Juris Doctor and a Masters in Business Administration. Mike spent over 13 years in public service with the state and federal governments. During that time, he drafted legislation and legal opinions, and advised the Missouri House of Representatives on various policy areas, researched and wrote legal opinions for federal Administrative Law Judges, and managed a team of attorneys and non-attorneys in the adjudication of cases before the Social Security Administration. He is also a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), the Missouri Bar Trust and Probate Law Committee and Elder Law Committee, the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (BAMSL), the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR), and numerous local chambers of commerce. Since 2016, Mike has served on the board of directors of the CHADS Coalition for Mental Health, a local non-profit that offers programs that advance awareness and prevention of depression and suicide among those 25 and under in our community. He is also an active Freemason, Shriner, and Scottish Rite Mason, and is a member of Ladue Elks Lodge No. 9.
Vicki Sexton, their legal assistant, has worked continuously at the firm for 35 years, and for many clients is the face and the voice of the firm.
The firm enjoys working with clients to create plans that address their goals and achieve peace of mind.  Each client’s needs are different and by building relationships with them and their families, the firm is uniquely positioned to create the best outcome available. Together, this family-centered law firm helps families take care of family.
Many don’t plan ahead and find themselves scheduling an appointment when faced with a crisis. Rest assured, Reuter Merkle Law Firm is experienced and can be a helping hand to assist with difficult decisions. Whether it’s a family member in crisis or you’re needing guidance, or you want to ensure your own affairs are in order, help is only a phone call away.
The Reuter Merkle Law Firm specializes in estate planning, probate and trust administration, veterans benefit planning, Medicaid planning, long-term care planning, special needs planning, business planning, guardianships, and social security.