MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith has expanded its Edwardsville office as it continues to grow its toxic tort and environmental litigation, general liability and employment and labor law practices in the Midwest.

Its Madison County office began as a small group of attorneys, but since June has expanded from a handful of attorneys and support staff to a team of 20 that is still growing.

The firm’s local office, which occupies the entire third floor of the Mark Twain Plaza II building directly across the street from the Madison County Courthouse, is currently being renovated to accommodate increasing staff.

New staff members include associates Justin Zimmerman, Jennifer Pigeon, and Thomas Kelley.

Zimmerman and Pigeon joined the general liability, toxic tort and environmental litigation and asbestos litigation practices.

Kelley’s practice focuses on products liability, general liability, insurance coverage, toxic tort and environmental litigation and asbestos.

Managing partner Jeff Bash attributes the office’s evolution to Lewis Brisbois’ combination of national presence, resources, and expertise paired with the Madison County team’s local knowledge. In a press release, Bash stated that the firm’s work in both central Illinois and the Metro St. Louis region contributes to the office’s continued growth.

Partner James Craney noted in the press release that the Madison County office utilizes the firm’s network to pass value on to clients: “In cases filed here in the Illinois and Missouri area, we are able to have certain tasks (such as out-of-state depositions) handled by other Lewis Brisbois lawyers in different offices, saving the client money that would otherwise be spent on travel costs,” Craney stated.

Established in 1979, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP is a national, full-service law firm with more than 900 attorneys and 30 offices, in 16 states and the District of Columbia.