Steven "Steve" Mitchell

Celynda L. Brasher is a founding shareholder of the firm. She practices in the areas of education, litigation, and labor and employment law. Celynda represents numerous school districts throughout Missouri. She regularly advises boards of education and administrators on matters involving employee hiring, evaluation, remediation, and termination; student rights and discipline; special education; school finance; civil rights; contracts; the Missouri Open Meetings Act; church/state issues; and a...

Shareholder Amy Garrett brings more than 22 years of litigation experience to her leadership role as Assistant Managing Partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy. She has developed a fierce reputation for protecting the rights of her asbestos and complex litigation clients both in and out of the courtroom. “I have a genuine interest in every person’s story and feel like it’s my job to give our clients the power to fight for themselves and their families,” Amy said. During Amy&rs...

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.

Heidi Kuns Durr is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Heidi Kuns, who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Heidi Kuns is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Ted L. Perryman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law, Litigation - Insurance, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Transportation Law. Ted L., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ted L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal pract...

Portia C. Kayser is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Municipal. Portia C., who practices law in Chesterfield, Missouri, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Portia C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Bharat Varadachari is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Bharat, 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 Bharat is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James F. Bennett has a national practice of cases that are not expected to settle before trial or appeal. He is lead trial and appellate counsel in high-profile cases, and has tried to verdict many cases involving eight- and nine-figure amounts in dispute. He has also prevailed before trial in other, similar cases and has argued appeals in eight different appellate courts around the country. Three times in recent years, he was awarded the “largest” defense or plaintiff verdict awa...