TENANT OF THE MONTH: JEFF BUNTEN ATTORNEY AT LAW

• What is your profession and why did you choose it?

I am a lawyer.  I chose to become a lawyer because I wanted to help people navigate the law.  

• How long have you owned your own business?

I have owned my own practice for the past 26 years.  

• What inspired you to own your own business?

What inspired me to own my own practice was twofold.  1) I had been working a management position with GE running a $10 million business in St. Louis as the Operations manager.  A management restructure took place and they wanted me to move to Wichita KS.  My spouse had started her own CPA practice and we decided the best move was for me to be laid off and find another job in St Louis metro. 2) I began collaborating with my step brother's law practice working in Social Security Disability and eventually adding my niche practice of representing Veterans who were trying to get their service connected disabilities properly rated.  My step brother did not want an employee or partner which left me running my own practice working on some cases for him and developing my own.  
 

• What might someone be surprised to know about you?

People are always surprised to find out I like all kinds of music - especially heavy metal and rap/hip hop.  
  

• Do you have a hobby, play a sport, or have any special interests?

 I love to do indoor cycling (spinning) I have been involved with two different studios during the past 5 years.  Cyclebar in Chesterfield is where I currently attend sessions 3-4x / week.  I am usually the oldest person in the room. 
 

• What job would you be terrible at?

While I have an accounting degree from the University of Missouri St Louis, I know that my CPA spouse runs circles around me in terms of being able to do this detail, nitty gritty financial reporting work.  I would much rather prefer to work with people in helping them tell their story about their injuries and illnesses to the government to help them get the benefits they were promised.
  

• How do you think your business has impacted others?

When I look back at the 5000 to 6000 people I have been able to help with either their Veterans Benefits or their Social Security Disability at either the administrative level or the Court level I am humbled this many people put their faith in my ability to deliver the services they desired.  Robin, Tammie and I love hearing from clients who tell us "you made that so understandable" or "you really helped me (us) navigate this complicated system and put things in plain English".  
 

• Where is the most interesting place you have visited?

I would have to say the most interesting place was Bratislava in the old Yugoslavian Soviet empire.  We flew in from Dublin Ireland because Bratislava is only 35 miles from Vienna.  The airport was an old Soviet Air base.  It was everything you would think of with that term.  We had arrived on an early morning flight with a boisterous and drunk group of Brits attending World Cup Soccer.   The security authorities, while we were waiting in line to clear customs, came up to me and asked if I was with this group.  I was standing between them and my family.  I answered "no”. He said, " I did not think so”. He then led the 5 noisy (they were freely sharing their opinions of the efficiency of the Bratislavan authorities with everyone), to a room with bars and mirrored glass.  We cleared customs, took a bus to the train station observing the Soviet era cement buildings in the city, with occasional signs of western Commerce (Best Buy and Ikea) and exchanged our Euros into Crowns, as this country had not entered the EU at this point in time.  The train was very efficient but the Bratislavans who could talk minimal English almost thought it absurd when I asked for a cab to Vienna.  35 miles in Europe depending on the borders can be much more difficult to travel between.  
 

• If you could work anywhere in the world, where would you choose?

While I could not do what I currently do, Paris is my favorite city of all the places I have visited.  It is a delightful people, culture, food, wine, and accommodations. 
 

• How has working in a shared work space influenced your business?

 
Sharing the working space has had untold benefits.  Having other small business owners, and other employees from many different types of businesses has kept Robin, Tammie and I connected.  Being in a space with other lawyers, many of whom are solo or small firm practitioners has also helped.  Melissa, and her prior colleagues have reminded us of what a great receptionist is capable of, making a really great first impression. 

• What is your favorite restaurant from the St. Louis area?
  

My favorite restaurant in St Louis SugarFire BBQ.  Love BBQ. I lived in "BBQ Heaven" in Kansas City MO for several years in the early to late 80's  Back then the BBQ scene in STL was deplorable.  Since, with the coming of Pappy's Bogarts, Daly's and Sugarfire amongst others, we now get to share in great BBQ in STL.   Sugar Fire remains my favorite here, although I love Gates BBQ in KCMO.