Atty. John A. Barnerd
John Barnerd is a Partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy. He joined the firm in 2002 as mesothelioma and asbestos attorney, and today is a member of the firm’s management committee.
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs & More Attorney · Serving Alton, IL
Profile Summary
About John A. Barnerd at a Glance
John A. Barnerd is a class action and product liability attorney based in Alton, Illinois, practicing at Simmons Hanly Conroy LLP. Educated at Saint Louis University (J.D., 1999). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Serves clients in Alton, IL and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About John A. Barnerd
- John Barnerd is a Partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy
- He joined the firm in 2002 as mesothelioma and asbestos 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
- Leveling the Playing Field John has worked with hundreds of people diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, who decided to hold the companies that harmed them accountable. “As an everyday blue collar worker, going up against a multinational billion dollar company can seem a daunting prospect,” said John. “But with Simmons Hanly Conroy, they get a team of experienced mesothelioma litigators who give them compassionate personalized service, and they get access to resources that have leveled the playing field against these big companies time and time again.” Over the past 10 years, John has cultivated a keen understanding of asbestos cases
- Most importantly, he knows each case is different because no person is alike, and neither are their lives “No two people have lived the exact same life and been exposed to the same products,” he said. “Recognizing that helps me build a better case for my clients, instead of just a cookie cutter approach.” John has been invited to speak on several legal panels as an asbestos expert
- Notable appearances include the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation’s first ever Legal Panel during the 2011 International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma, co-chair of the Midwest Asbestos Litigation Conference in St. Louis and presentations during the Plaintiffs’ Asbestos Litigation Conference in Los Angeles
Practice Areas Explained
John A. Barnerd's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases John A. Barnerd handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Alton.
Class Action in Alton
John A. Barnerd is one of 26,226 class action attorneys indexed nationally. Browse class action attorneys in Illinois →
Product Liability in Alton
John A. Barnerd is one of 65,610 product liability attorneys indexed nationally. Browse product liability attorneys in Illinois →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Alton
Practicing law in Illinois. Legal matters in Illinois are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Alton are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Illinois state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Illinois brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Illinois courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Alton Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Alton-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Illinois attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Alton or all attorneys in Illinois.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Alton Choose John A. Barnerd
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish John A. Barnerd's practice in the field of class action and product liability.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering class action and product liability, John A. Barnerd can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Alton
A Alton-based practice means John A. Barnerd attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
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