Six attorneys at Simmons Hanly Conroy elevated to shareholders

Simmons Hanly Conroy has announced that six of the firm’s attorneys in its Alton office have been elevated to shareholder - Paul Dix, Taylor Kerns, David Miceli, Matt Petersen, Melissa Crowe Schopfer and Drew Sealey.

The attorneys were promoted in July following the formation of Simmons Hanly Conroy through the merger of two national firms – Hanly Conroy Bierstein Sheridan Fisher & Hayes and Simmons Browder Gianaris Angelides & Barnerd.

Dix focuses his practice on representing families affected by mesothelioma and asbestos exposure. He oversees an asbestos trial team dedicated to investigating and prosecuting mesothelioma cases on an individual basis nationwide. Dix earned his juris doctorate from St. Louis University School of Law and also holds a bachelor of arts, magna cum laude, from St. Louis University.

Kerns is a member of the firm’s asbestos litigation team, representing individuals across the country suffering from asbestos-related illnesses. He earned his juris doctorate, cum laude, from St. Louis University School of Law, from which he also holds certificates in health law and international comparative law. Kerns has a bachelor of science degree from Creighton University.

Miceli focuses his practice on complex pharmaceutical and medical device litigation. His more than two decades in legal practice includes extensive experience litigating mass tort cases. He currently serves on the national Plaintiff Steering Committee for the Chantix Multi-District Litigation. Miceli holds a juris doctorate from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law and a bachelor of science degree from Auburn University.

Petersen has more than a decade of legal experience and focuses his practice on helping families who have lost a loved one to an asbestos-related disease, specifically involving estate and trust issues amid ongoing asbestos litigation. Petersen earned his juris doctorate from the University of Missouri Columbia School of Law. He also holds an master of science degree from Florida State University and a bachelor of arts degree from St. Louis University.

Schopfer is an asbestos and mesothelioma attorney with extensive experience representing aircraft mechanics and union members, in particular. She has helped to recover more than $100 million in settlements and verdicts on behalf of individuals and families and has represented clients in nearly every state. Schopfer holds a juris doctorate from St. Louis University School of Law and a bachelor of science degree from Western Illinois University.

Sealey focuses his practice on representing individuals and their families across the country impacted by asbestos-related diseases including mesothelioma. He has helped to recover more than $50 million in verdicts and settlements on their behalf. Sealey earned his juris doctorate from St. Louis University School of Law. H also has a bachelor of arts degree from Westminster College.