Perry J. Browder – Shareholder/Manager of Asbestos Department, Simmons Hanly Conroy
Simmons Hanly Conroy is a nationwide litigation firm headquartered in Alton, Illinois with additional offices in Chicago, St. Louis, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York. We have helped thousands of clients across the country who were harmed by corporate wrongdoing in a variety of practice areas including mesothelioma and asbestos, dangerous drugs and devices, sexual abuse litigation, prescription opioid litigation, environmental injury, personal injury and other mass torts and class actions.
What is your firm/company’s mission statement?
At Simmons Hanly Conroy, the fundamental principle that drives our success is an absolute commitment to our clients and their right to a voice in the legal system. Our dedication to client service, our national resources and our centuries of legal experience are what drive our results.
We are resolute and unwavering in our stance against corporate wrongdoers.
How has your business/practice changed during the pandemic?
We have pivoted to more remote work. Depositions, discovery, corporate representatives, trial testimony are all done virtually.
What is one habit/practice that you’ve adopted during the pandemic that you plan on keeping?
Time management.
Share with us a career highlight of yours.
Meeting John Simmons and building Simmons Hanly Conroy into the firm it is today. We started in 1999 as a local plaintiff’s firm with a handful of dedicated attorneys and staff. Twenty years later, we were included on Law360’s Top 400 firm list as one of the largest plaintiff firms in the country and recognized as the publication’s Product Liability Groups of the Year.
What is the most challenging part of your practice/business?
The most challenging part of being an asbestos attorney is the loss of your clients. They are all terminally ill. To do our job well, we often become very close to our clients, almost like family, and it is hard to lose people.
What is the most rewarding part of your practice/business?
Working with my co-workers, our clients, and other attorneys in our profession.
What sets you apart from your competitors?
We work in small teams that brings personal attention to each client’s case. At the same time, we have the resources as a national law firm to fight large corporations and hold them accountable.
How do you create opportunities for women and young attorneys in your practice/business/firm?
We give them the ability to succeed by giving them opportunities to work on the big projects and cases. We support them, encourage them to grow and become successful. Their success is our success.
Why are you a supporter of the WBAI?
Because Kate Conway asked! She introduced us to WBAI and our involvement is going to grow.
Tell us something most people would not know about you?
I love people, but I do enjoy quiet time with my dog and a good book.
When this pandemic is behind us, where do you most want to travel?
My wife and I have always wanted to go to Quebec City, Canada, in the fall.
What do you/your firm/company/business hope to accomplish in the next 12 months?
Maintain the quality of our representation, continued to build recovery for our clients, see our attorneys grow and get back in the courtroom.
What other information would you like to share with our audience? Feel free to suggest Questions & Answers, in addition to those listed above
Though my firm started as a local law firm, we have grown into a nationwide firm that represents people of all races, genders, religions, sexual orientations and all who are in need. We would love to co-counsel or work with any of the WBAI members in any of our areas of representation to help someone in need. How can we work together? If you believe we could be of service, call my dedicated line at 800-896-7043 or email me at pbrowder@simmonsfirm.com. Be well, Perry J. Browder.