Jefferson City, Missouri — On January 1, 2023, Ellinger & Associates will become Ellinger Bell, as the firm celebrates five years of serving clients in Missouri and around the globe. The name change reflects the outstanding work and contribution of Stephanie Bell, who is a founding partner of the firm.

Stephanie’s practice focuses on state and local government matters including election, regulatory, utility, gaming, tax, and other governmental disputes and includes representing clients before government agencies, circuit courts, and Missouri Appellate courts. Her practice includes representation of statewide elected officials, proponents and opponents of statewide ballot measures, and Fortune 100 companies.

Stephanie is also very active in the Mid-Missouri community. Stephanie serves as an Alderwoman in Ashland. Stephanie co-hosts “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” which airs weekday mornings on 93.9 the Eagle and 104.5 KWOS News Radio. Stephanie serves on the advisory boards of the Southern Boone YMCA, the Missouri Women’s Business Center, and the Show-Me Institute.

"Stephanie is one of the top lawyers in the State of Missouri and continues to provide superlative legal service and advice to our clients across the globe,” said Marc Ellinger "She is the cornerstone to the growth and success of the firm — I continue to be honored to call Stephanie my partner and to place her name alongside mine.” “It’s been a pleasure growing our firm together,” said Stephanie. “I look forward to continuing working alongside Marc as we provide customized legal services in unique areas of the law in Missouri and beyond.”

This year also proved to be a banner year for Marc. In December, he will be recognized as Lawyer of the Year by the Republican National Lawyers Association. December will also mark the end of his service as President of the International Masters of Gaming Law. In that role, he led multiple conferences — in Boston, Seattle and London — and spoke at countless high-profile gaming events across the globe on matters of importance to gaming lawyers, operators, and regulators.

Not only have Marc and Stephanie been individually recognized, but also the firm has received several awards including this year again being named to the U.S. News Best Law Firm list for 2022. Marc and Stephanie have proven to be an excellent team and are excited to move forward under the name Ellinger Bell.

Stephanie Bell recently became a general member of the International Masters of Gaming Law. She is only the second member of IMGL from the state of Missouri, the first being Marc Ellinger who serves as the President of IMGL. International Masters of Gaming Law is a non-profit organization that focuses on gaming law. Members of IMGL are experts in material gambling sector developments and issues worldwide.
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International Masters of Gaming Law association has 300 members across 43 countries. The association’s goal is to keep lawyers informed about the very latest in gaming law. To become a member of IMGL you have to meet several requirements. Serving on committees that help advance the purposes of IMGL, having a list of gaming clients, and being involved with charitable organizations that are related to gaming law are just a few of the requirements the applicant must meet to be considered for membership.

Stephanie Bell’s regulatory practice includes gaming law. She has advised clients in the gaming industry and has represented clients before the Missouri Gaming Commission. She currently serves as the Marketing Committee Co-Chair alongside Dr. Simon Planzer.
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“Having worked with Jim Deutsch, a founding member of IMGL, and Marc Ellinger, IMGL’s current president for many years, I’m truly honored to join this elite group of lawyers,” said Stephanie. "IMGL provides some of the best opportunities for learning and networking in the gaming industry, which has and will continue to allow me to better serve my clients.”

Marc Ellinger and Stephanie Bell were honored with the AV Preeminent Attorney rating from Martindale. This rating is one of the highest ratings that an attorney can receive. This AV rating comes with a significant emphasis on ethics and professional excellence. Those lawyers who qualify receive this rating by peer review.
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The Martindale AV rating was created initially by having an A, B, C grade rating for lawyers. Later they added the V to signify ‘Very High Ethical Standards’. The AV, BV, and CV grading system was then shown to evaluate the best of the best in all fields of law. In order to receive the Martindale AV rating, lawyers must apply to be reviewed by their peers. After the ratings are calculated, the lawyers are then put into three categories. Notable, Distinguished, and AV preeminent. AV Preeminent is the highest rating you can receive.

Marc Ellinger has been once again named to the Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyer list for 2022. This is the seventh consecutive year that Marc has been named to this list. This list is created each year by the Super Lawyers publication. Lawyers are evaluated through a rigorous qualification process in order to be named to this list.

Stephanie Bell has also been once again named to the Missouri & Kansas Rising Stars list. This is the fourth consecutive year she has been given this honor. The Rising Star honor is awarded to only 2.5 percent of outstanding lawyers. To qualify for a Rising Star award, you must be a lawyer who is either under forty years old or a lawyer that has been in the practice less than ten years.

Super Lawyers are chosen through a series of evaluations and research. Not only are they chosen by peer nomination and peer evaluation, but also independent research. After the points are collected, they are used to determine the Super Lawyers list. This list is then published in the nationwide Super Lawyers magazine as well as in smaller publications in local papers and magazines.

Marc Ellinger was recently in Malta speaking at the SiGMA conference at their European iGaming Conference and trade show (SiGMA Europe 2022). He moderated a panel on North American gaming development. Marc frequently speaks at gaming conferences both domestic and abroad given his extensive gaming law experience and in his role as International Masters of Gaming Law President. 
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SiGMA is a diverse organization that works in marketing, regulation, responsible gaming and most importantly philanthropy. SiGMA is based in Malta, a country that is a major player in the igaming industry. Out of all the European states, Malta was the first to regulate gaming which made it the natural choice to host SiGMA Europe 2022.

Ellinger and Associates is excited to announce that we are once again selected to be a part of the US law firms rankings for the year for 2023. We are honored to be chosen out of so many great firms throughout the United States. In the Columbia-MO market firm, we are recognized as a Tier 1 firm in both gaming law and administrative/regulatory law.

Ellinger and Associates is the only Jefferson City based law firm to be recognized as a Tier 1 firm in two categories. This unique honor reflects the unique skills and successes of our firm.
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This honor is not something that we take lightly. We understand that we could never have made it to this point without our valued clients. Ellinger and Associates LLC represents businesses, organizations, and individuals in a wide array of corporate, state, and local government matters. With decades of experience and the use of cutting-edge technology, we provide prompt and personalized service and bring value to highly specialized areas of the law. The U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in the field, and a review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process.

​Stephanie Bell offered the keynote at Truman State University at an event celebrating Women Entrepreneurship Week (WEW). Truman State has a global desire to encourage women in their desired field of entrepreneurship. Stephanie was introduced by University President Sue Thomas and offered insights to students as a law firm owner, radio host, and owner of The Trolley Company. She also participated in a Q&A panel alongside other talented alumnae including Lauren Gin (founder of Gem & Bara), Lori Miller (founder of Precision Printing) and Ashley Sparks (owner of Rejuvenate Wellness Center). The panel was moderated by Esther Lee, President of the Community of College Entrepreneurs at Truman State. 

Ellinger Bell preserved the voters right to vote on November 8th and allowed voters to express their support of Amendment 3. Amendment 3 allows for recreational marijuana use and also expunges records of non-violent marijuana offenses. The amendment passed with 53% of the vote.
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Ellinger Bell defended Amendment 3 and hundreds of thousands of Missouri registered voters’ signatures in the Circuit Court of Cole County and the Wester District Court of Appeals. Ellinger Bell is the leading initiative petition firm in the state. They have never had a signature gathering attempt fail for their initiative petition.

​Marc Ellinger has been named 2022 Republican Lawyer of the Year by the Republican National Lawyers Association (RNLA). This is a great honor and a clear representation of his hard work over 20 years of dedication to his firm and clients and support of the Republican Party. Mr. Ellinger has worked in many different areas of law including most prominently election law and campaign finance compliance.

Mr. Ellinger was the former chairman of the Missouri Chapter of the RNLA and now currently serves as the First Vice President of the RNLA and is on the Board of Governors. The RNLA is the association of Republican lawyers across the United States which focuses on insuring free and fair elections and national policy issues.
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A reception honoring Mr. Ellinger will be held Wednesday December 7, 2022 at the Capital Hill Club in Washington, DC. If you would like to donate to the RNLA to support its work, please contact Michael Thielen (thielen@rnla.org). Sponsorship opportunities are also available. 

Purchase Tickets to the Reception.
More details: Ellinger RNLA Lawyer of the Year Announcement & Invitation. 
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Ellinger and Associates, LLC is proud to announce that Marc Ellinger is being recognized in the 2023 edition of Best Lawyers in America® in Administrative/Regulatory Law.  Each year, Best Lawyers® compiles a list of outstanding attorneys based on peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading attorneys confidentially evaluate their peers

Marc has been recognized by Best Lawyers® since 2014; making 2023 the tenth straight year Ellinger has been named to Best Lawyers®.  Marc focuses his practice in election law, gaming law, issues of state and federal constitutional law,  legislative and rulemaking practice,  and municipal finance and structuring.  Marc represents businesses, individuals, organizations, and committees in disputes before federal and state courts and in administrative and regulatory proceedings.  Marc has argued more than twenty cases in the Missouri Supreme Court and dozens more in the Eastern and Western Districts of the Missouri Court of Appeals. From local government issues to statewide issues of first impression, to tax matters, to numerous election law cases, Marc has protected the interests of businesses, individuals, associations, and local governments across Missouri.