Erik L. Hansell

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...

Antoinette (Toni) Schlapprizzi is a trial lawyer at Schlapprizzi Attorneys at Law, licensed in Missouri and Illinois. She believes that every human being has a unique dignity that must be honored and respected, and through her work as a trial attorney, she aggressively defends and protects this unique dignity each and every day. Battling for truth on behalf of those who have survived serious injury and the loss of a loved one is at the core of who Toni is.

Justin L. Assouad is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Justin 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 Justin L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lyndon Sommer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Lyndon, who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lyndon is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Attorney Jo Anna Pollock is a Partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy in the Complex Litigation Department, where she focuses on public nuisance, class actions, sex abuse and environmental litigation. She devotes her practice to representing people, county governments and businesses that have been harmed through the wrongdoing of others. Jo Anna works on cases nationwide through all stages of the litigation process. She has spent the last 20 years in trial and appellate courts across the country secu...

Michael Quillin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Michael, who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kimberly A. Yates focuses her practice on labor and employment litigation, particularly in the areas of: Wage and hour collective and class action matters Restrictive covenant contracts and non-competes cases Discrimination and retaliation lawsuits Originally from mid-Missouri, she currently resides in southern Illinois and predominately practices in Missouri and Illinois federal and state courts and represents clients across a multitude of industries, ranging from national restaurant chains ...

Don M. Downing is a former Missouri Chief Deputy Attorney General and managing partner of the St. Louis office of one of the region's largest law firms. As Chief Deputy Attorney General - Missouri's top appointed legal officer - from 1993 to 1995, Mr. Downing was the lead lawyer in cases involving consumer protection, antitrust, environmental, securities and many other areas of law. He appeared before the Supreme Court of the United States four times, including one case he personally argued. ...

James O'Leary is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. James, who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Adam D. Hirtz is a principal and the office litigation manager in the St. Louis, Missouri, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He prides himself on being a responsive, strategic and creative advocate and counselor for the firm’s clients. Adam has more than 25 years of experience as a trial attorney representing businesses in employment litigation in both state and federal courts throughout the country. He also acts as a mediator, including regularly mediating cases for the Equal Employment Opp...