Jo Anna Pollock

Attorney Jo Anna Pollock works as a shareholder at Simmons Hanly Conroy, in the Complex Litigation Department, where she focuses on environmental, commercial, class action and human rights litigation. She devotes her practice to representing people and their businesses that have been hurt through the wrongful conduct of others.

Jo Anna works on cases nationwide, in all stages of the litigation process from initial meetings with clients to securing verdicts at trial. She has over ten years of litigation experience in trial and appellate courts across the country and has secured tens of millions of dollars on behalf of her clients.

“I became a lawyer because I wanted to give a voice to people who were being taken advantage of,” Jo Anna said. “My clients are hardworking, responsible people who believe in justice, despite their experience otherwise.”

Jo Anna has worked tireless on behalf of sex abuse victims, who are located in Cap Haitian, Haiti. She counsels and prepares them for depositions, defends their depositions, interviews fact witnesses and assists on trial strategy.

In the area of environmental litigation, Jo Anna has extensive experience. She represents victims in class action suits against businesses such as steel mills and refineries that are releasing toxic particles into the environment, groundwater and neighborhoods where people live. In these cases, Jo Anna is responsible for case strategy; all stages of litigation, including fact and expert discovery; meditation and trial preparation.

In 2014, Jo Anna helped lead the Bridgeton Sanitary Landfill case, where a federal district court approved a settlement that required the owners of the landfill to pay residents living near the site nearly $7 million.

“Our clients can expect regular communication and a team approach, where we use practical and common sense to get the best results possible,” she said.

Giving Back

Jo Anna has also dedicated time to volunteer and pro bono work. As a pro bono attorney, she has offered free legal representation to children as a guardian ad litem and by advising emerging artists, filmmakers and writers about copyright matters. Beyond advocating for clients, Jo Anna serves as an arbitrator through the state court of Illinois.

In spring 2012, Jo Anna founded the Madison County Bar Association Internship Program that mentors high school students interested in the legal profession. Students from area district schools are placed with local law firms. The students shadow an attorney for several weeks during their summer break, gaining valuable knowledge and insight to the legal world. In the community, she is a volunteer Sunday school teacher.

The Missouri Lawyers Weekly recognized Jo Anna by including her in the publication’s “Up & Coming” Young Lawyers list for 2015. She was also named an Illinois Rising Star for 2012-2015 by Super Lawyers.

Background and Experience

Jo Anna earned her law degree from St. Louis University Law School, where she graduated with honors and on the Dean’s list. She also served as an editor for The Journal of Health Law. She has penned several articles about practicing law for various publications, and she speaks at law conferences on various topics concerning trial work.

“It’s important to clients for their lawyer to look at a case from all angles and with compassion and common sense,” Jo Anna said. “I fight for people from all walks of life and dive into the details because I am determined to secure the best outcome for them.”

Schedule a free consultation with a complex litigation attorney like Jo Anna.