Russell F. "Russ" Watters

Luther W. Simmons, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Luther W., 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 Luther W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Robert F. Epperson Jr., a founding member of Dowd Bennett LLP, handles complex commercial litigation, internal investigations and appeals. Representing domestic and multinational corporations, as well as high net worth individuals, Robert focuses on civil litigation and appeals in an array of industries such as agriculture, real estate, financial services and insurance. He also conducts internal investigations and counsels clients in connection with investigations undertaken by the U.S. Depar...

William S. Thomas is one of the firm’s many experienced trial lawyers. His practice is diverse, with an emphasis in complex litigation. He has tried 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. He was lead trial counsel in one of the longest civil jury trials in St. Louis County history, which lasted 100 trial days. In addition to his trial practice, Bill is...

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.

Corey Franklin's legal practice is focused on the representation of management in labor relations issues and employment law disputes. A majority of Corey's practice is dedicated to helping clients with both unionized and non-unionized personnel when facing labor relations issues. He is highly skilled in advocating for clients in complex collective bargaining negotiations, labor arbitration and grievance proceedings, union organizing campaigns, strikes, and administrative proceedings before th...

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...

Edward L. Dowd Jr. is a litigator who defends corporations, professional service firms and individuals in high-stakes, complex civil, and white collar criminal cases and investigations. He represents clients with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, the SEC, DOJ, EPA,, IRS, Health and Human Services and other federal and state agencies. In addition, Ed works with companies to strengthen corporate compliance in order to avoid the initial missteps that result in investigations and trials. Ed&rsqu...

Chris Wright has represented victims and their families in complex personal injury, medical negligence, nursing home negligence and wrongful death cases since 1998. Chris is licensed to practice law in Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas (currently inactive). Chris grew up in Oakville in South St. Louis County, and is the son of the late Colonel Allen D. Wright (US Army & MO Army National Guard) and JoAnn Wright. He graduated from CBC High School in 1990, where he was a member of the National ...

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...