Caroline Chicoine

John Simmons founded the firm in 1999 with seven employees and a focus on asbestos litigation. Under his leadership, the firm has expanded to more than 250 employees, including more than 80 attorneys, spread between five offices in Alton, St. Louis, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. John has overseen some of the biggest verdicts and settlements in the history of asbestos litigation. The firm’s first trial involved a roofer and former Shell Oil employee diagnosed with mesothelioma...

Mr. Witcher has practiced in the areas of labor and employment law since 1996. Lance concentrates his practice primarily in litigation of employment-related disputes, human resources counseling and matters before the Occupational and Mine Safety Health Review Commissions. He has represented employers in a wide range of litigation matters in both state and federal court, and before arbitrators, administrative law judges and other tribunals in disputes involving alleged discrimination based on ...

Litigator James G. Martin defends corporations and individuals facing high-stakes, complex business lawsuits, white collar criminal charges, and allegations of corporate governance and compliance violations. A former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, Jim is regularly lead defense counsel in class action and civil litigation matters, including SEC fraud and healthcare fraud in False Claims Act (FCA) litigation. Corporations also call on him to lead internal investigations rel...

Mr. Rolnicki practices Intellectual Property law in the firm's Business Services group. He is registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and is a former Patent Office Primary Examiner. He has extensive experience in preparing and prosecuting patent and trademark applications in the United States and in many foreign countries. Mr. Rolnicki's patent preparation and prosecution experience encompasses technologies including aircraft components, conveyor systems, footwear, gear transmiss...

Joan Lockwood graduated with honors from Boston College in 1990 with bachelor's degrees in finance and human resource management. She earned her law degree from Saint Louis University in 1993, again graduating with honors. She served as a staff member of the Saint Louis University Law Journal and Editor of the "Health Law Edition." She was elected into the Order of the Woolsack, a scholastic honorary association. Ms. Lockwood is admitted to practice before all Missouri state courts, the U.S. ...

Patricia J. Martin is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Patricia J. practices law in Clayton, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Patricia J. Martin since 2018. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Patricia J. Martin is held by other lawyers.

Chris Wright has represented victims and their families in complex personal injury, medical negligence, nursing home negligence and wrongful death cases since 1998. Chris is licensed to practice law in Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas (currently inactive). Chris grew up in Oakville in South St. Louis County, and is the son of the late Colonel Allen D. Wright (US Army & MO Army National Guard) and JoAnn Wright. He graduated from CBC High School in 1990, where he was a member of the National ...

Erin E. Williams is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Erin E. practices law in St. Louis, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Erin E. Williams since 2020. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Erin E. Williams is held by other lawyers.

Mayer S. Klein is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Litigation - Real Estate. Mayer S. practices law in Clayton, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Mayer S. Klein since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in wh...

Allison Gerli is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Allison practices law in St. Louis, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Allison Gerli since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Allison Gerli is held by other lawyers.