John Richardson

Attorney John E. Richardson, Jr., is a shareholder at Simmons Hanly Conroy LLC. He focuses his practice on helping individuals and families impacted by asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma. He has successfully secured millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements on their behalf.

A veteran of over 150 cases, John works on all aspects of his clients’ mesothelioma cases. He investigates asbestos exposure, takes depositions and prepares for trial. He regularly travels to meet with clients and their families to begin their cases.

After this initial meeting, he looks into their work history and where they were exposed to asbestos. He also contacts his clients’ former co-workers. While formulating strategy for the case, John coordinates with other attorneys on discovery and handling motions for the trial.

“From the time a file lands on my desk, I become the person with the most intimate knowledge of that client’s background and case,” John said. “I stay directly involved in all my clients’ cases throughout the entire mesothelioma legal process.”

Working with families is John’s favorite part of his job. He personally works with all his clients. He gives them news of their cases and often meets with them in their homes. He encourages clients to use his personal cell phone number to reach out to him with questions.

With one recent case, John helped an elevator mechanic who installed elevators in Pittsburgh. During the mechanic’s career, he was exposed to asbestos in pipe covering and insulation. John secured a settlement with the companies responsible for the worker’s asbestos exposure.

John grew up in a blue-collar home. His father has worked as a union electrician for over 33 years. His grandfather was also union. John values the work ethic his dad taught him because it serves him well while preparing clients’ cases and understanding their needs.

“I see a little bit of my own family in almost every family I represent. That motivates me to help them obtain the justice they deserve,” John said. “Our clients trust us because we understand their struggle.”

His experience at the firm involves representing many union electricians. While working with them, he feels like he’s talking to his father and grandfather and is reminded often of them during client meetings. John believes this allows him to get closer to his clients and help them receive the justice they deserve.

“To me, my clients are not just names on files,” John said. “I care about them as people, and I’m going to do my best to help them through this difficult time in their lives.”

Prior to joining the firm, John was an associate at a national law firm representing plaintiffs in pharmaceutical litigation. He earned his J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law and a B.A. in business management from Blackburn College in Carlinville, Ill. He is admitted to practice in Missouri, Illinois and Pennsylvania.