Simmons
Cooper
Browder
Barnerd
Asbestos firm SimmonsCooper of East Alton is changing its name to Simmons Browder Gianaris Angelides & Barnerd, and will be called the "Simmons firm" for short, according to a press release issued today.
The new name includes five of the firm's 14 partners -- Perry Browder, Ted Gianaris, Michael Angelides, and John Barnerd.
"We feel it is important for our firm's reputation to formally identify and acknowledge those who our clients, attorneys, and employees rely upon to lead the firm at the highest level," Simmons said.
Jeff Cooper, who joined the firm in 2000, will remain of counsel, the release stated.
"I couldn't be happier to see the torch passed to my friends Perry, Ted, Mike, and John," Cooper said. "We've always been a progressive firm, and I'm proud to have played a part in our growth. It's exciting to see John continue to look to the future and recognize a new era of leadership."
The firm also announced that it is relocating its headquarters from East Alton to Alton, where it will consolidate its employees into one building at 401 Alton St., formerly occupied by Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.
Currently, the Simmons firm's employees occupy six buildings in different locations throughout the East Alton area.
The Simmons firm purchased the Alton building last week, the release stated. It says the firm will rehab the building before employees move into it by the end of 2010.
The name change and relocation announcements come as the firm marks its 10th anniversary, the release stated.