Simmons Hanly Conroy Attorneys Earn 43 Spots in 2027 Best Lawyers Rankings

ALTON – Simmons Hanly Conroy, one of the nation’s largest mass tort law firms and a national leader in representing mesothelioma patients and their families, is proud to announce that 33 of its attorneys have been recognized in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.

In addition, 10 Simmons Hanly Conroy attorneys were named to the 2027 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America list, which recognizes professional excellence among attorneys earlier in their careers.

“We are proud to see so many of our attorneys recognized by their peers for their work on behalf of our clients,” said Simmons Hanly Conroy Managing Partner Laurence V. Nassif. “These honors reflect the talent and dedication our attorneys bring to their work every day. I congratulate each of this year’s honorees on this well-deserved recognition.”

Best Lawyers is one of the country’s most highly regarded attorney referral publications. Recognition in The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America is based on peer-review surveys in which leading attorneys evaluate the professional abilities of their peers. Attorneys are not permitted to pay a fee to participate or receive recognition.

The following Simmons Hanly Conroy attorneys are listed in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, along with their recognized practice areas, organized by firm office/location:

Alton
Michael J. Angelides, partner: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs; Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
Nicholas J. Angelides, partner: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs; Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
John A. Barnerd, partner: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs; Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs. Best Lawyers 2027 “Lawyer of the Year” – Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs, St. Louis
Perry J. Browder, partner: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs; Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs; Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
Sarah Burns, partner: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs
Brian J. Cooke, partner: Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs; Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
Kenneth P. Danzinger, partner: Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs; Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants
Paul Dix, partner: Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs; Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
John Foley, partner: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs
Taylor Kerns, partner: Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs; Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
J. Conard Metcalf, of counsel: Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs; Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
Todd Neilson, partner: Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs; Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
Jo Anna Pollock, partner: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs; Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
Melissa Crowe Schopfer, partner: Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs; Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
Drew Sealey, partner: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs
John Simmons, named partner and chairman: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs; Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
Judge Luther W. Simmons, Jr., partner: Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs; Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
G. Michael Stewart, partner: Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
Andrew S. Williams, partner: Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs; Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs

New York City
Daniel P. Blouin, partner: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs
Donald P. Blydenburgh, partner: Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs; Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
Lisa Nathanson Busch, partner: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs; Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
Jayne Conroy, named partner: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs; Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs; Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
Mildred Conroy, partner: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs; Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
Gary DiMuzio, partner: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs; Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
Moshe Horn, partner: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs
Ellyn Hurd, partner: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs
Jim Kramer, partner: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs; Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs; Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
Laurence V. Nassif, managing partner: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs; Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
Sanford Smokler, partner: Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
An Truong, partner: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs

San Francisco, California
Jennifer L. Alesio, partner: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs
Deborah R. Rosenthal, partner: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs; Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs; Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs

The following Simmons Hanly Conroy attorneys are listed in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America, along with their recognized practice areas, organized by firm office/location:

Alton
Lindsey Balaco, attorney: Health Care Law
Payal A. Gurnani, attorney: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs; Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs; Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
David Kargel, attorney: Health Care Law
Jenny Paulson, attorney: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs
Luke Pfeifer, attorney: Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs; Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
Elisa J. Pleasant, attorney: Health Care Law
Philip E. Proud, partner: Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs; Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs

New York City
Brett F. Fuller, partner: Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs; Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
Olivia P. Kelly, partner: Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs; Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
John B. Wetmore, partner: Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs; Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs

About Simmons Hanly Conroy LLP
Simmons Hanly Conroy is one of the nation’s largest mass tort law firms, dedicated to helping victims of mesothelioma and asbestos-related cancers. Other primary areas of litigation include prescription opioids, sexual abuse, pharmaceutical, consumer protection, environmental, and personal injury. The firm's attorneys have been appointed to leadership in numerous national multidistrict litigations, including prescription opioids, Vioxx, Yaz, Toyota unintended acceleration, BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, DePuy Pinnacle, Uber Rideshare sexual assault, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Norfolk Southern East Palestine train derailment, social media adolescent addiction, hair relaxer products injury, and the Volkswagen emission scandal. The firm also represents small and mid-size corporations, inventors and entrepreneurs in matters involving business litigation. Firm attorneys’ passion for improving the lives of asbestos victims and their families extends to the firm’s contributions to mesothelioma cancer research and ongoing support through initiatives including the firm’s annual Miles for Meso 5K race and fun run/walk. Firm offices are located in Alton, Illinois; Boston; Los Angeles; Miami; New York City; San Francisco; and St. Louis. Read more at www.simmonsfirm.com.

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