Abby Durlester

Attorney & Founder

Career Bio

My transactional practice focuses on day-to-day needs of people and organizations, in addition to entertainment and intellectual property work whenever possible.

I grew up immersed in corporate and entrepreneurial worlds, as the only child of a marketing exec mom and a small business-owner dad. From birth, I’ve had the opportunity to observe what it means to run a business, and to establish lifelong relationships with so many of my “favorite” companies and vendors.

At fifteen, on a lark, several still-good friends and I booked an all-day outdoor concert. I handled the venue contract, and was committed to becoming a lawyer from that moment on.

Eager to get my feet wet, I worked throughout law school, participating in the competitive summer program at Warner Bros., counseling business owners in Loyola’s Business Law clinic, and working in legal clearance at Harpo Studios. After becoming a member of the Bar, I have been employed by firms, and as in-house as Counsel and Director of IP at an Oscar®-winning multimedia production company. I’ve worked with start-ups and established businesses, often functioning as “outside” in-house counsel.

In addition to being as fun as it sounds, my experience in the entertainment industry required me to become comfortable functioning in fast-paced settings; and to be adept at finding inventive legal solutions that allow clients the space to evolve and be creative.

Magazine bio

I am a third-generation St. Louisan who returned to the 314 after living in Chicago and L.A., and after ensnaring my Bay Area-born husband and in-laws in the St. Louis relo trap.

First concert: Alanis Morrisette

Sports teams: of course Cards, STL City SC (so fun), 49ers, and go Ramblers!

Pets: two puppy mill rescues, Brisket (a Havanese) and Afikomen “Alfie” (a Moyan Poodle)

Likes: reality competition shows, mid-century modern housewares, baking with my two daughters, advocating for mental health reform, planning events for family and friends, exploring locally-owned restaurants and bars.

Currently watching: the final season of Amazon’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”

Most frequented restaurants: Companion, Russell’s, Living Room

  • Admissions and Distinctions

    Missouri Bar (2012)

    U.S. District Court - E.D. Missouri (2013)

    National Law Student Liaison to the ABA Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industry

    Leadership and Service Award, Law Alumni Grant and Sidney DeLove Scholarship recipient

    President, Loyola Sports and Entertainment Law Society

  • Education

    Juris Doctor, Loyola University Chicago (2012)

    Bachelor of Arts with Honors, Washington University in St. Louis (2005)

    Certificate in the Praxis Entrepreneurship program

  • Membership and Community

    American Bar Association

    ABA Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industry

    Former VP of Communications, National Women’s Political Caucus of Metro St. Louis