ALTON, Ill. – Simmons Hanly Conroy, a national leader in the legal representation of mesothelioma patients and their families, is pleased to announce that Juan P. Bauta II, a partner in the firm’s Miami office, has been selected for the Daily Business Review and Law.com’s 2026 Florida Legal Awards.
Bauta won in the “Unsung Heroes” category, which recognizes meaningful and often unseen contributions to legal practice.
The Florida Legal Awards annually honor those who have made a significant impact in Florida’s legal industry. Bauta, along with all other honorees and category winners, will be recognized at an awards ceremony April 29 in Miami.
“Juan is extremely dedicated to his practice and his clients. He is highly deserving of this award,” said Simmons Hanly Conroy Managing Partner Laurence V. Nassif. “We are grateful for his leadership and work to continue enhancing and growing our Miami office.”
Bauta played a significant role in Simmons Hanly Conroy establishing its Miami office — the firm’s first southern U.S. office — in 2024. The firm recruited Bauta and tapped his proven leadership and more than 30 years of Florida trial experience to lead the effort and steer strategy for the firm’s Florida docket. Bauta created a process to identify and advance overlooked but well-supported cases. He continues to play a critical role in ensuring that appropriate cases are filed and handled by counsel familiar with Florida courts.
Bauta focuses his practice on class action litigation and helping individuals and families affected by mesothelioma seek the justice and compensation they deserve. With a commitment to excellence and a deep-seated passion for helping others, Bauta has recovered significant compensation for mesothelioma patients and their loved ones over the course of his career.
In addition, Bauta has successfully represented clients in cases involving employment discrimination, defective product designs, and more. He has secured individual settlements ranging from $1 million to $29 million and has tried more than 50 cases to verdict.
Bauta earned his J.D. from Florida State University College of Law and his Bachelor of Arts from Florida State University.
