John Barnerd is a shareholder at Simmons Hanly Conroy. He joined the firm in 2002 as an asbestos and mesothelioma attorney, and today is a member of the firm’s management committee. He previously served for two years as an Assistant State’s Attorney for Madison County, Ill.

John earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Illinois College and graduated with his J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law. In 2010, Chicago Lawyers Magazine recognized him as a top 40 Under 40 Illinois Attorney. For the past four years, he has been named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine.

John grew up in East Alton, Ill., a manufacturing community in which many people he knew became sick from asbestos exposure.

“That’s probably one of the reasons why I am an asbestos trial attorney. There’s a personal connection,” he said.

John negotiates with asbestos defendants on behalf of the firm’s clients. His work has helped secure millions of dollars on behalf of asbestos exposure victims and families.