Abby Risner

Education

Practice Areas

Energy Industry

Franchising & Distribution Industry

Distribution

Established & Growing Franchisors

Franchising Regulatory Compliance & Exemptions

Energy

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Regulatory & Antitrust Law

Class Actions

Energy Litigation

Franchising & Distribution

Convenience Retailing

Oil & Gas

Renewables

Mobility, Consumers & Products

Employment Class Actions

Career

Abby represents clients in energy disputes and advises on business issues associated with the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act (PMPA) and retail motor fuel marketing, including pricing, contracts, antitrust, and termination issues. She has defended claims against major energy companies related to termination under the PMPA and franchise laws, breach of contract and fraud claims, alleged unlawful motor fuel pricing practices, price posting, deed restrictions, and consumer protection claims. Her knowledge of the energy sector and the trial process has made her an important resource for the global companies she represents. Abby is Group Leader of UB Greensfelder’s Energy Industry Group.

Abby has extensive experience defending against class action claims. Abby's litigation experience includes prevailing on class action claims through dispositive motions, defeating class certification, complex class action settlements, class action notice and claims process, and trials. She has defended dozens of class actions in federal and state courts nationwide, including the Southern District of Illinois, Eastern District of Missouri, Western District of Missouri, Cook, Madison and St. Clair Counties in Illinois, and St. Louis City and St. Louis County in Missouri.

In her franchising and distribution practice, Abby counsels clients on the termination of franchisees and distributors, as well as defense of litigation of claims in court and arbitration (including international arbitration). She advises on state franchise and distributor laws and works with clients facing disputes that arise as they bring their products and services to market.

Professional Memberships

Institute for Energy Law's Litigation and Dispute Resolution Committee (Officer); Petroleum Marketing Attorneys' Conference (Co-Chair, 2018-present); Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation (Former Trustee); Institute for Energy Law (Advisory Board); American Bar Association, Section of Litigation (Energy & Environmental Committee, Former Programming Co-Chair); ABA Forum on Franchising, Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Division (Steering Committee, 2023-present); ABA Class Actions & Derivative Suits Committee (Former Roundtable Programming Co-Chair); The Missouri Bar; Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis; The Theodore McMillian American Inn of Court, St. Louis Chapter (Barrister, 2011-2014)