James F. "Jim" Monafo

I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. I come from two hard-working parents who were also born and raised here in St. Louis. In my early twenties, I was involved in a serious motor vehicle crash that left me unable to walk for several months. This experience was life-changing in every sense of the term. I learned first-hand how insurance companies could take advantage of someone without a law degree. But some good came out of it - ultimately this was the event that sent me on a path to...

Bridgette N. Fu is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Bridgette N. practices law in St. Louis, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Bridgette N. Fu since 2026. 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 Bridgette N. Fu is held by other lawyers.

Dean Kpere-Daibo is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Dean practices law in St. Louis, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Dean Kpere-Daibo 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 which Dean Kpere-Daibo is held by other lawyers.

M. Graham Dobbs graduated with honors from Saint Louis University School of Law in 2000, where he served as a Student Editor of the Journal of Health and Hospital Law, was a member of the Health Law Association, and completed the school’s nationally recognized Health Law Certificate program. Mr. Dobbs also received an Academic Achievement Award in Evidence, and served as an intern at the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri. He obtained his BSN, nursing undergraduate degree...

J. Bradley Young has almost thirty years of experience in all aspects of workers compensation defense in both Missouri and Illinois, including the investigation of claims, trials, and appellate work. Mr. Young has spoken before corporate organizations and at in-house client seminars for many years, and frequently lectures for nationally known seminar companies on topics relating to workers’ compensation claims, employer liability, and third-party administration of claims.

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 ...

Michael J. Angelides is a partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy and focuses his practice on asbestos litigation. He previously served as the firm’s managing shareholder. Mike’s litigation track record includes growing the firm’s reputation as a national leader in asbestos litigation, representing victims of mesothelioma against some of the largest companies in the nation. As a leader in asbestos litigation, Mike has presented at both of the profession’s leading asbestos liti...

Portia C. Kayser is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Litigation - Municipal. Portia C. practices law in Chesterfield, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Portia C. Kayser 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 Portia C. Kayser is held by other lawyers.

Vincent D. Reese focuses his practice on labor, employment, and education law, in addition to commercial litigation. Vince has successfully litigated employment discrimination claims based on race, sex, age, disability, religion, national origin, and pregnancy in Missouri and Illinois State Courts as well as many federal district courts around the country. Vince has extensive experience in representing his clients’ interests with respect to investigations conducted by the U.S. Equal Emp...

Timothy Sansone is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Appellate Practice. Timothy practices law in St. Louis, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Timothy Sansone 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 Timothy Sansone is held by other lawyers.