Illinois

John G. Simon

St. Louis, MO

John G. Simon’s work as Managing Partner at the firm has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars for past clients. Well-respected in his field, John’s career includes several published works, frequent community involvement, and the role of adjunct professor at Saint Louis University School of Law. During more than three decades of practicing law, John Simon has built a remarkable record of courtroom victories and incredible settlements for thousands of clients - oftentimes when the odds are not in his favor. The National Law Journal named the firm he founded in 2001 as one of the “winningest firms” in the U.S. In 20 recent months alone, John’s firm achieved four nine-figure verdicts totaling nearly $2 billion. The firm now has more than 50 dedicated professionals, with a focus on plaintiff’s litigation including personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, business litigation and class action cases. John’s approach is simple: The client always comes first and prepare every case as if it’s headed to trial. These principles have driven unparalleled success in the courtroom including record setting verdicts in multiple states. It has also inspired meaningful change across multiple industries and has helped Simon Law become known as the firm where cases become causes. John’s verdicts have held some of the largest corporations in the world accountable for their misconduct and shined a national spotlight on critical, often ignored industry safety issues. That’s what John means when he says his firm is where cases become causes. John’s honors and awards reveal what John’s clients already know - he stands among the best litigators in the United States.

John Elliott Leighton

Miami, FL

John Elliott Leighton is a board-certified trial lawyer and the Managing Partner of Leighton Panoff Law, P.A., with offices in Miami and Orlando, Florida. He has 40 years of experience successfully trying major personal injury and wrongful death cases, and has won some of the largest verdicts and settlements in Florida, including a $49 million verdict and two $24 million verdicts. He is recognized as a national expert in negligent security and violent crime litigation, authoring 'Litigating Premises Security Cases'. He received the Advocate of Justice Award from the National Crime Victim Bar Association and was recently elected President of the National Crime Victim Bar Association. He is a frequent lecturer and teacher at legal programs, including ATLA’s 'Ultimate Trial Advocacy College' at Harvard Law School. Mr. Leighton believes in educating the public and giving back to the community, regularly appearing on media outlets like NBC’s Today show and CNN. He continues to represent victims of sexual assault and sex abuse. He recently received the Daily Business Review 2015 'Verdicts Hall of Fame Award' and American Lawyer Media’s 'Top 100 Verdicts of 2017' and National Law Journal’s 'Elite Trial Lawyer Top 50 Verdicts' in 2018. He also represents victims of legal malpractice. He has served as Chairman of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America’s Motor Vehicle, Highway and Premises Liability Section, chairs the Inadequate Security Litigation Group, and sat on the Executive Committee of the National College of Advocacy Board of Trustees. He is Chairman of the Academy of Trial Advocacy and President of the National Crime Victim Bar Association. He is a member of ABOTA (American Board of Trial Advocates) and has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America continuously since 2008. He has been voted into Florida SuperLawyers every year since 2006 and was honored as one of the Top 100 Florida SuperLawyers since 2009. He has been selected as a 'Top Lawyer' in the South Florida Legal Guide for 13 consecutive years and is listed in Florida Trend magazine’s 'Florida Legal Elite.' He was named 'Orlando Legal Elite' by Orlando Style magazine three years in a row. He has an A-V preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell and a 10.0/10 rating from AVVO.com. He is a board certified specialist in civil trial law by the Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization. He received both his J.D. and B.A. degrees with honors from the University of Florida.

James E. Arnold

Columbus, OH

James E. Arnold is recognized as one of Ohio's top trial lawyers. He was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2005, which is limited to the top 1% of trial lawyers in the United States. He was inducted into the International College of Trial Lawyers in 2016, which is limited to the top 500 trial lawyers in the United States under the age of 70. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America in six different fields (Securities Litigation, Bet-The-Company Litigation, Intellectual Property Litigation, Commercial Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation (both plaintiffs and defense). Best Lawyers recognized him as the Securities Litigation Lawyer of the Year in 2012, Intellectual Property Lawyer of the Year in 2014, and Bet-The Company Litigation Lawyer of the Year in 2013 and 2021. In addition, Mr. Arnold has been recognized by Ohio Super Lawyers continuously from 2004-2023, frequently naming him among the top 10 trial lawyers in the State (ranked first in 2012). Columbus' Business First has consistently ranked him among the top 5 lawyers in the City of Columbus.

Matthew L. Bretz

Hutchinson, KS

Matthew L. Bretz is a trial lawyer whose life's mission was shaped by the tragic loss of his sister. He grew up with a single mother and three sisters, earning the rank of Eagle Scout and graduating college by 20. He attended Pepperdine University School of Law and worked at Engstrom Lipscomb & Lack, learning trial law. The death of his sister in 1992 profoundly influenced his dedication to helping seriously injured individuals and families who have lost loved ones. He is a faculty member of the Keenan Trial College, teaching other lawyers, and serves on the MADD National Board. He also volunteers with United Way, Red Cross, Interfaith Housing, ABATE, and the Training and Evaluation Center of Hutchinson. He handles motor vehicle, premises liability, dangerous and defective products, and nursing home cases. He has an 'AV' rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible for professional ability and ethics, and has won over 98% of his cases since 1991, recovering over $300 million for clients.

Tad Thomas

Louisville, KY

Tad Thomas has dedicated his practice to representing plaintiffs in various types of civil litigation, including personal injury, business litigation, class actions, and multi-district litigation. He founded Thomas Law Offices in 2011 and has expanded it to multiple locations. He is a frequent lecturer on trial skills, ethics, and technology. He has secured millions of dollars in settlements and is a past President of the American Association for Justice.

Paul Slager

Stamford, CT

Paul Slager represents plaintiffs in complex cases involving life-changing personal or financial injuries, with a focus on Connecticut courts. He has a national reputation as an elite advocate, repeatedly listed as one of the Top 10 Attorneys in Connecticut Super Lawyers. He served as President of the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association and is an elected member of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.