Written by Ethan M. Stone
As a founding partner of Combs Waterkotte, Christopher Combs focuses on preparation, communication, and strong advocacy for clients facing serious criminal charges.
For anyone facing criminal charges, the legal process can feel confusing, urgent, and deeply personal. A DWI arrest, a felony charge, a federal case, or an order of protection can affect a person’s reputation, family, career, and future long before a case reaches court. That reality is central to how Christopher Combs approaches criminal defense.
As a founding partner of St. Louis and Missouri criminal defense law firm Combs Waterkotte, Chris Combs is known for strategic preparation, aggressive advocacy, and clear communication with clients across Missouri. His practice focuses on criminal defense matters involving DWI/DUI charges, serious felonies, white-collar crimes, federal charges, orders of protection, and other criminal cases.
Combs’ goal is direct: help clients understand what they are facing, protect their rights, and pursue the strongest possible defense based on the facts.
Clear Strategy in High-Stress Moments
Chris Combs, a top Missorui criminal defense attorney, has developed a reputation for handling complex legal matters with precision and determination. That reputation comes from more than courtroom presence. It begins with preparation.Clients facing criminal charges often need someone who can explain the process, identify the pressure points in a case, and build a strategy suited to their circumstances. Combs emphasizes tailored representation, consistent communication, and trial-ready preparation from the start.
That matters because no two cases unfold the same way. A DWI/DUI case may turn on the details of a traffic stop, the testing procedures, or the officer's observations. A serious felony or federal charge may require a close review of evidence, witness statements, and procedural questions. For Combs, effective defense depends on knowing the law, studying the facts, and preparing as though the case may go to trial.
The Combs Waterkotte Philosophy
Steven Waterkotte and Christopher Combs founded Combs Waterkotte on the belief that every person deserves a fair trial and a vigorous defense, regardless of the accusation. That principle shapes the firm’s identity as one of the Missouri criminal defense firms that clients turn to for legal skill and steady guidance.The firm focuses on trust, transparency, and personalized legal strategies. Criminal defense lawyers in Missouri often meet people during some of the most stressful moments of their lives, and Combs Waterkotte’s work reflects an understanding that clients need to feel informed, prepared, and heard throughout the process.
This client-centered model also supports the firm’s aim to continue growing as a leading criminal defense firm in Missouri, including taking on complex cases, refining defense strategies, and strengthening its role within the state’s legal community.
Recognition and Community Work
Christopher Combs’ professional recognition includes Super Lawyers in Missouri, Kansas Rising Star, Top 10 Under 40 by the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys, and 10 Best Attorneys in Missouri by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys.Beyond the courtroom, Combs remains active in the St. Louis community. His involvement with the National Peer Recovery Alliance connects him to work supporting individuals affected by substance use disorders and mental health challenges. That community involvement adds another layer to his legal perspective, particularly in cases where clients may be facing both criminal charges and personal struggles.
A Focus on Fairness and Strong Advocacy
As Combs Waterkotte continues its work across Missouri, Christopher Combs remains focused on the principles that have shaped the firm since its beginning: preparation, accountability, communication, and vigorous defense.For individuals seeking leading criminal defense or DWI attorneys in St. Louis or anywhere in Missouri, his practice offers a clear example of client-focused representation. It is strategic, direct, and grounded in the belief that every case deserves serious attention.
In a legal system that can feel overwhelming, Chris Combs continues to build his practice around a steady purpose: helping clients understand their options, their rights, and how to work with an advocate prepared to fight for them.
