Julie E. O'Keefe

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...

Todd Neilson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Todd, who practices law in Alton, Illinois, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Todd is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Daniel J. Bruntrager is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Municipal Law and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Daniel J., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Daniel J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Richard B. Rothman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) and Real Estate Law. Richard B., 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 Richard B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John Challis is the Managing Partner at Kembell Woods & Martinsen, where he advocates for individuals and businesses in a wide range of contested matters. With a focus on fiduciary litigation and administration, John is recognized for delivering outstanding results for his clients through negotiation, mediation, and litigation. ​He counsels clients on fiduciary relationships, disputed administration, will and trust contests, and asset transfer disputes, drawing on substantial trial and ap...

Michael J. Payne is a partner at Frankel, Rubin, Klein, Payne & Pudlowski, P.C. and focuses his practice on estate planning, fiduciary litigation and civil litigation. He counsels individuals, couples, families and small business owners in creating an estate plan that is specifically tailored to their individualized needs. His passion for estate planning is evident in his approach of collaborating with clients to solve their most important personal, legal and business planning decisions. ...

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...

Kevin Lake is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Kevin, 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 Kevin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. Kevin is a St. Louis, Missouri native and third-generation lawyer. He earned his B.A. in English from Brigham Young University (BYU) in 199...

David L. Schenberg is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. David L., 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 David L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Glenn E. Davis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Antitrust Law, Commercial Litigation, Franchise Law, Information Technology Law, Litigation - Antitrust, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Litigation - Mergers and Acquisitions and Litigation - Securities. Glenn E., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2003. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Glenn E. is held by...