Tonya M. Oliver Rose

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...

Lisa M. Adams is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Lisa M., who practices law in St. Louis, Missouri, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lisa M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Kenneth P. Danzinger is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs and Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. Kenneth P., 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 Kenneth P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

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.

James C. Hetlage is an experienced employment attorney, litigator, and municipal attorney. He represents government and private-sector employers before state and federal administrative agencies, trial courts and appellate courts. Mr. Hetlage is experienced in resolving employment discrimination claims and other labor and employment disputes in court and through mediation and arbitration. He has addressed the impact of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter for employers, and has...

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.

J. Philip Polster is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Patent Law and Trademark Law. J. Philip, who practices law in Clayton, Missouri, has been recognized since 2005. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which J. Philip is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Morry S. Cole handles complex litigation. He has served as lead trial and appellate counsel in a wide variety of complicated cases in state and federal courts throughout Missouri and the Midwest. Mr. Cole received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Baylor University, specializing in finance. He graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. While in law school he served as an editor of the Missouri Law Review, a research assistant for Professor Martha...