Sara L. Marler

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.

Kathleen W. Bilderback 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 and Trusts and Estates. Kathleen W., who practices law in Clayton, Missouri, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kathleen W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

David S. Spewak is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Real Estate Law. David S., who practices law in Clayton, Missouri, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bhavik R. Patel 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, Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Bhavik R., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Bhavik R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic...

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...

Thomas J. Magee is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Thomas J., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thomas J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal...

Michelle H. Basi practices primarily in the areas of education, special education, litigation, and labor and employment law. Michelle regularly advises school districts and charter schools on student matters, including special education and Section 504 compliance, First Amendment rights, Title IX compliance and student discipline. Michelle also advises schools districts and charter schools on employment matters, including Title VII, the ADA, the ADEA, the FMLA, and the Teacher Tenure Act. Mic...

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...