Two National Law Firms|Announce Merger

ST. LOUIS (CN) - Two national law firms - Simmons Browder Gianaris Angelides & Barnerd LLC and Hanly Conroy Bierstein Sheridan Fisher & Hayes LLP - will merge effective July 1. The new firm will be called Simmons Hanly Conroy.

Simmons Browder specializes in asbestos, drug litigation, complex litigation and personal injury. Since 1999, the firm says, it has secured more than $4 billion on behalf of its clients. It has offices in St. Louis, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Alton, Ill. and employs more than 60 attorneys and 150 support staff.

Hanly Conroy handles mass tort and complex litigation. The New York firm has nine attorneys and has had leadership roles in high profile, multijurisdictional litigation such as the September 11 and the Pinnacle hip replacement litigation.

"The merger gives us a New York office, expands our attorney depth and creates a streamlined practice with centuries of litigation experience," Simmons Browder Chairman John Simmons said in a statement. "Together, we are positioned as dominant national leader in asbestos, mass tort and complex litigation matters, and we are especially pleased that Jayne Conroy will continue her leadership role as a named shareholder in the merged firm."

Simmons Browder and Hanley Conroy have worked together for more than a decade on a variety of cases, including Oxycontin, Chantix, Yaz and Toyota unintended acceleration cases.

"The firm's extensive federal court experience and national resources will be a winning combination for clients and position us to not only evolve but thrive in an ever-changing, competitive legal marketplace," shareholder Paul Hanly said in a statement.

In addition to Simmons, Hanly and Conroy, current Simmons shareholders Perry Browder, Ted Gianaris, John Barnerd and Michael Angelides will continue to serve in management roles. John Simmons will serve as chairman and Michael Angelides as managing shareholder. Browder will continue to manage the firm's asbestos department, and Hanly will oversee the firm's complex litigation department.

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