David Cates

Penney Rector is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Education Law. Penney, who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Penney is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bridgette N. Fu is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Bridgette N., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Bridgette N. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Matthew Buesching is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Matthew, who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Partner Melissa Crowe Schopfer joined Simmons Hanly Conroy in 2005 as an asbestos and mesothelioma attorney. In November 2012, she became an asbestos trial team leader, where her responsibilities include managing a team of attorneys and legal staff. She has worked on over 500 cases in the past 10 years and helped recover over $100 million in settlements and verdicts on behalf of individuals and families impacted by mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. She has represented clients ...

Margaret L. Fowler is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law, Litigation - Insurance and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Margaret L., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Margaret L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Robert L. Ortbals Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Robert L., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Robert L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Randy Weber’s practice at Hamilton Weber firm concentrates on general corporate, state and local government, and commercial and public finance law matters. His corporate practice has included serving as outside general counsel for a number of corporations, with significant experience addressing employment law issues, as well as corporate formation and organizational matters involving general business and closely held corporations and including all forms of partnership and limited liabil...

Terrence J. O'Toole, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Terrence J., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Terrence J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Elizabeth S. Lenivy is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Elizabeth S., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Elizabeth S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Shareholder Perry Browder is head of the Asbestos Department at Simmons Hanly Conroy. He has worked for more than 30 years helping numerous families resolve hundreds of million dollar-plus cases. He started at the firm in 2001 and played a key role in helping the firm develop a national reputation. Within a few years, he had successfully secured one of the largest asbestos verdicts in the country, a $250 million verdict against U.S. Steel. Today, Perry manages the firm’s more than 50 as...