​On Friday, February 21st, Marc Ellinger, partner at Ellinger Bell, moderated a distinguished panel discussing the far-reaching implications of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Loper Bright v. Department of the Interior at the Federalist Society’s Missouri Chapters Conference. This pivotal case reshaped the regulatory landscape, and the panel explored how state governments can reduce regulatory overreach, streamline governance, and curb administrative expansion. The discussion focused on the role of the Governor and Attorney General in scaling back unnecessary rules and regulations while fostering a more efficient state government.

Drawing on his extensive experience in election law, regulatory affairs, and government oversight, Ellinger led an engaging conversation with key legal and policy experts, including Lowell Pearson, General Counsel to Governor Mike Kehoe; Kurt Schaefer, Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources; Ethan Harper, General Counsel to U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt; and Eli Nachmany, Associate at Covington & Burling LLP. The panel examined how the Attorney General’s role could evolve under the next administration in Washington, D.C., and how that shift could be leveraged to roll back burdensome administrative policies at the state level.

As a former Presiding Commissioner of Cole County and a respected authority in governmental law, Ellinger was uniquely positioned to lead this discussion on the balance between executive authority and regulatory oversight. His leadership in moderating the panel underscored his commitment to advancing legal and policy solutions that enhance efficiency, accountability, and the proper limits of government intervention. With the Supreme Court’s ruling setting a new precedent, Ellinger’s expertise helped illuminate the path forward for Missouri and beyond.

​Stephanie Bell and Ellinger Bell, a distinguished law firm in Jefferson City, Missouri, has been honored with the title of "Missouri's Best 2025" in the Law Firm/Lawyer category. This recognition, awarded by Missouri's Best, highlights the firm's exceptional legal services and commitment to excellence within the state's legal community.

Led by accomplished attorneys Stephanie Bell and Marc Ellinger, Ellinger Bell focuses on complex government-related legal matters, including election law, regulatory issues, and industries such as gaming and utilities. Their combined expertise and leadership have been instrumental in building the firm’s reputation for delivering strategic and effective legal counsel to clients across Missouri.

The "Missouri's Best" awards are determined through community nominations and votes, reflecting the firm's strong standing and trust within the local community. This accolade underscores Ellinger Bell's dedication to serving its clients with integrity and professionalism, reinforcing its position as a leading law firm in Missouri.

Stephanie S. Bell, a partner at Ellinger Bell in Jefferson City, earned her law degree and a master’s in public administration from the University of Missouri in 2009. In addition to her legal career, Bell is actively involved in community service, serving on various boards and as an alderman for Ward 2 in Ashland.

Bell’s passion for law began during a legislative internship at Truman State University, where she witnessed the influence attorneys had in shaping policy. This experience led her to pursue a career in law, focusing on litigation related to state government. She enjoys the complexity and evolving nature of her practice, particularly in cases involving ballot measures and regulatory law.

Regarding Missouri’s recent Amendment 2, which narrowly passed with 50.05% of the vote, Bell was not surprised by the close margin, citing the state’s history of tightly contested gaming measures. She explains that Missouri’s gaming industry is highly regulated, and the amendment will introduce both retail and mobile sports betting licenses. The state is required to begin issuing these licenses by December 1, 2025, learning from the experiences of 38 other states with legal sports betting.

Although sports betting is new to Missouri, Bell notes that the state has prior experience with other highly regulated industries, such as fantasy sports and medical marijuana. The Missouri Gaming Commission has previously handled competitive licensing processes, ensuring strict compliance with regulations. Bell emphasizes that the transition to sports betting will follow established regulatory procedures to ensure a smooth and well-managed rollout.

Marc Ellinger, attorney and founding partner of Ellinger Bell LLC, appeared on the Associated Industries of Missouri (AAIM) this morning to discuss ongoing litigation surrounding Proposition A, which addresses minimum wage and sick leave issues in Missouri. The case, currently before the Missouri Supreme Court, raises critical questions about legislative and initiative processes.

During the podcast, Ellinger delved into the history of Proposition A, outlining its origins and its path through the legislative and initiative systems. He highlighted key problems with the proposition, including its potential conflicts with existing state laws and the broader implications for businesses and employees.

A significant portion of the discussion focused on the timing of the litigation, as the case comes at a crucial juncture for employers and workers in Missouri. Ellinger underscored the challenges of navigating the legislative process versus the initiative process, emphasizing the importance of clarity and balance in the state's approach to addressing workplace policies.
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Ellinger’s insights provided valuable context on the complex legal and policy issues surrounding Proposition A, offering listeners a clearer understanding of its potential impact on Missouri's economy and workforce. You can listen to the podcast here.

​At the RNLA's annual holiday reception, Chair Marc Ellinger delivered remarks to commemorate the organization's achievements and recognize key contributors. Ellinger highlighted the RNLA's continued growth and its pivotal role in the successes of the 2024 presidential election. He spoke with pride about the organization's dedication to promoting the rule of law and strengthening its impact nationwide.

A significant moment of the evening was Ellinger's recognition of Michael Thielen for his 25 years of exemplary service to the RNLA. He praised Thielen's unwavering commitment and leadership, which have been instrumental in the organization's growth and success over the years. Members expressed their gratitude for Thielen’s dedication and celebrated his milestone achievement.
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To honor Thielen’s legacy, Ellinger presented a framed letter from former Attorney General Ed Meese. The letter expressed deep appreciation for Thielen's contributions to the RNLA and the conservative legal movement. This heartfelt tribute underscored the impact of Thielen’s decades-long service and his lasting influence on the organization.

​Ellinger Bell is thrilled to announce our inclusion in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Firms list. We’re honored to be recognized among the nation’s top law firms and proud to represent the Columbia-MO market as a Tier 1 firm in both gaming law and administrative/regulatory law.

As the only Jefferson City-based firm to achieve Tier 1 recognition in two categories, this award highlights our commitment to excellence and the unique expertise of our team.

We’re deeply grateful to our clients for their continued trust in us, and we remain committed to providing innovative, responsive, and personalized legal services across corporate, state, and local government matters. With decades of experience and a dedication to using advanced technology, we deliver high-quality counsel in specialized areas of the law.
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The U.S. News “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes feedback from clients and peers, ensuring only the most outstanding firms make the list. Thank you to all who support and believe in Ellinger Bell—we’re honored to serve you.

Judge Jon Beetem agreed with Ellinger Bell’s arguments on behalf of the Republican State Committee and dismissed Democrat Stephen Webber's case seeking to remove Republican James Coyne from the August primary ballot in his bid for the 19th Senate District seat in Boone County. The Republican State Committee, represented by Marc Ellinger and Stephanie Bell, intervened in the case and asked the Judge to dismiss Webber’s case. Judge Beetem ruled Webber lacked standing and dismissed the case.

Ellinger Bell has significant experience in election law and is well-versed in handling election disputes. They have represented Republican candidates and committees across Missouri in state and federal matters. Here, the court quickly dismissed the case brought by the former chair of the Democrat party.
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The Republican State Committee, involved in ensuring fair and competitive elections, intervened in this case to ensure voters get the opportunity to decide who represents them. The Committee supports Republican candidates and works to uphold the integrity of the electoral process, defending against challenges like the one brought by Webber.

We are excited to announce that Lucas has joined Ellinger Bell as our 2024 Summer Clerk.

Lucas is currently a J.D. candidate at the University of Missouri School of Law, where he has demonstrated academic excellence and leadership as a representative for the Student Bar Association and a member of the Federalist Society. His dedication to the legal field is further showcased by his role as a Student Ambassador, helping to foster a supportive and engaging environment for his peers.

Lucas served as a Winter Judicial Intern to the Honorable Kimberly Shaw at the 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Boone County, where he gained valuable insights into the judicial process. His previous roles include Grassroots Engagement Director at Americans for Prosperity - KY and Senate Page at the United States Senate.

Before embarking on his legal education, Lucas earned a Master of Business Administration from Murray State University and Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a minor in Legal Studies. Lucas's commitment to academic and extracurricular excellence was recognized through the Harry Lee Waterfield Scholarship and leadership roles in organizations such as the Student Government Association, Young Americans for Liberty, and College Republicans.

We are thrilled to welcome Lucas and look forward to the contributions he will make in advancing our mission of providing exceptional legal services. Please join us in welcoming Lucas to Ellinger Bell!

The Republican National Lawyers Association’s (RNLA) annual Policy Conference took place in Arlington, VA on Friday, May 17. Marc Ellinger, RNLA Chair and Partner at Ellinger Bell (right) moderated the annual Attorneys General Panel with (from L to R) Attorney General Steve Marshall representing the State of Alabama, Attorney General Brenna Bird from the State of Iowa, and Attorney General Alan Wilson of the State of South Carolina. As state Attorneys General are leading the fight against regulatory overreach, this hour-long panel explored the damage being done by the federal government to private property and civil rights. From crushing environmental regulations, to the redefining of men and women, and the restriction on 1st and 2nd Amendment rights, these Attorneys General are leading the fight across the United States.

Marc regularly advises clients on issues concerning lobbying, state and federal campaign finance, and ballot measures. Ellinger Bell clients include candidates, committees, political subdivisions, and other entities in all areas of election and political law. Our lawyers have represented state and federal candidates, ballot measure or issue committees, non-profit advocacy groups, as well as state and federal PACs. Marc is uniquely positioned to see election and political law issues from multiple perspectives and develop a comprehensive strategy to protect, preserve, and further client’s interests.
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As the principal national organization of Republican lawyers, the RNLA has a targeted set of missions, which include: advancing professionalism, ensuring open, fair and honest elections, promoting career opportunities, and working to defend and advocate for Republican ideals.