Lewis Rice Adds Perkins and Smith as Associates
The St. Louis law firm has appointed Darrwin E. Perkins II and Alexi-Julia Smith to its corporate department.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in People
Law firm Lewis Rice has expanded its corporate department with the addition of new associates Darrwin E. Perkins II and Alexi-Julia Smith. Both attorneys join the St. Louis office following the completion of their respective academic and professional programs.
Why it matters
Law firms frequently bolster their practice groups with new talent to manage evolving corporate client demands and maintain service capacity. These strategic hires allow Lewis Rice to integrate expertise ranging from local legal education to experience in major national markets.
The firm added two associates to its corporate department, a move following individual academic and professional milestones achieved between 2022 and 2026. The total impact on the firm's overall staffing levels was not specified.
The players
Darrwin E. Perkins II
He is a newly hired associate in the corporate department at Lewis Rice who recently graduated from Saint Louis University School of Law.
Alexi-Julia Smith
She is an associate joining the Lewis Rice corporate department who previously practiced at the Goodwin Procter office in Washington, D.C.
Lewis Rice
This is a St. Louis-based law firm that maintains a corporate department and provides legal services to a variety of institutional and corporate clients.
The details
Darrwin E. Perkins II enters the firm after graduating from the Saint Louis University School of Law in 2026, building on an MBA earned in 2023. Alexi-Julia Smith joins the team with previous practice experience from the Goodwin Procter office in Washington, D.C., and a law degree from Howard University.
Timeline
Darrwin E. Perkins II earned a bachelor's degree in 2022.
Alexi-Julia Smith graduated from law school and Perkins earned his MBA in 2023.
Perkins graduated from law school in 2026.
The news of the new hires was published on October 27, 2026.
Market Landscape
This hiring move follows the broader pattern of talent acquisition seen across St. Louis law firms during the 2026 cycle. By securing new associates, Lewis Rice strengthens its competitive position against other regional firms vying for qualified corporate legal counsel.
For the firm's clients, these new hires signal an increase in capacity within the corporate department to handle legal matters. While the associates' internal integration does not directly change current retail rates, it supports the firm's ability to maintain service levels.
The takeaway
Firms often recruit fresh talent to align their internal expertise with specific corporate practice areas. Investors and clients should monitor such personnel shifts to gauge which firms are successfully growing their specialized departments.
Further reading
For more information on legal staffing changes in the area, visit St. Louis People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by St. Louis American.
