Tina Babel is the Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel at Carmody MacDonald. She is also a trial attorney and focuses her practice on the areas of trusts and estates litigation and mediation.
As the firm’s COO, Tina oversees the firm’s operations and strategy, including human resources, training, facilities, business development, marketing, employee engagement, risk management, and related administrative functions to ensure efficient day-to-day operations and alignment with the firm’s strategic goals. As General Counsel, Tina is responsible for the firm’s legal and ethical matters, including risk management, compliance with legal ethics rules, and oversight of the firm’s contracts and insurance.
With experience at law firms in both California and Missouri, as well as a private university in Missouri, her diverse litigation background enables Tina to assess clients’ legal issues from a broad perspective. In her probate litigation practice, Tina represents trustees, financial institutions, personal representatives, beneficiaries, minors, the elderly, attorneys-in-fact, children, siblings, and other family members when handling the array of fiduciary disputes that may arise in connection with trusts or wills.
Tina also offers skilled mediation services for trust and estate matters, helping families and fiduciaries navigate sensitive disputes with compassion and efficiency. With a focus on clear communication and creative problem-solving, Tina provides a collaborative approach to resolving complex issues while preserving relationships and minimizing costs.
After law school, Tina worked at a top law firm in San Diego, California, practicing in the fields of business litigation and trusts and estates litigation. In 2005, she moved back to her hometown of St. Louis and joined the respected and well-known litigation and trial practice group at Carmody MacDonald.
She has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation and Trusts and Estates Litigation since 2020 and in Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers since 2018. Since 2022, she has also been recognized on the “Top 50 St. Louis Lawyers” and “Top 50 Women Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers” lists. Tina was also recognized as a 2026 St. Louis Titan 100 recipient, honoring CEOs and C-level executives who create a lasting impact through their vision, passion, and integrity.
For five years, Tina was a member of the St. Louis Elder Financial Protection Multidisciplinary Team as part of the United States Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative. She also served on the Crider Health Center Board of Directors and is a former adjunct professor at Lindenwood University.
