Michael Weeks

Patricia L. Bland is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law and Real Estate Law. She has representative clients in various industries including car dealerships, electrical contracting, and real estate. Her advanced degree of Master of Laws in Taxation allows her to seamlessly advise clients in complicated tax matters involving business organiz...

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...

Jim Layton joined the firm in 2017 after serving more than 22 years in the Missouri Attorney General’s Office—nearly all of those as the State’s principal civil appellate lawyer, Solicitor General. Jim practices in both appellate and trial courts, particularly in matters involving complex legal questions, including those arising under the U.S. and Missouri constitutions, Missouri school funding and other education statutes, discrimination laws, and Missouri tax laws. He repr...

Charles N. Insler is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Charles N., 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 Charles 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.

Andrew Blackwell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Andrew, 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 Andrew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John S. Sandberg is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Construction, Litigation - Real Estate, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. John S., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2005. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and...

Attorney Drew Sealey works as a partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy. He focuses his practice on representing individuals and their families across the country impacted by asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma. He has helped recover more than $50 million in verdicts and settlements on their behalf. “Mesothelioma is such a rare disease and often times the initial shock of a diagnosis, coupled with the cost of treatment and the need to file a lawsuit, can be overwhelming for my clien...

Derek P. Ruzicka focuses his trial practice in a diverse range of areas, with an emphasis in complex litigation. He has handled cases in a number of difficult venues, from the City of St. Louis, Missouri, to Madison and St. Clair Counties, in Illinois, and Federal Court in East St. Louis and St. Louis. Whether through dismissal, favorable trial verdicts, or reasonable case resolutions, he has successfully handled many difficult matters through completion. Derek’s experience is extensive...

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