David Simkins | St. Louis Accident and Injury Lawyer

David K. Simkins heads up the firm’s insurance defense practice in Illinois. Dave tries cases in Madison, St. Clair and other counties in mid and southern Illinois as well as the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. Prior to joining Wuestling & James, David served as a law clerk for the Honorable Thomas M. Welch, Appellate Court of Illinois, Fifth District. He then worked for Evans & Dixon in 1999-2000. Dave is a member of the Missouri and Illinois bar. Dave’s practice also involves Missouri insurance defense work as he frequently has jury trials in the Circuit Courts in and around the St. Louis area as well as eastern and central Missouri. Dave also has significant experience in other fields including personal injury, workers’ compensation, arson/fire, insurance coverage and bad faith/vexatious refusal litigation. In March, 2007, Dave became a partner in the firm. Dave has an enviable record of success in jury trials having achieved verdicts for the defendant in Madison County, Illinois and St. Louis County, Missouri. Dave’s result in the case of Toenjes v. Lammert was highlighted in Missouri Lawyer’s Weekly in January of 2005. In that matter, Plaintiff was rear-ended on the way to work. Three doctors testified at trial that Plaintiff suffered a herniated cervical disk in the accident. Plaintiff admitted into evidence $19,023 of medical bills that he alleged were caused by the accident. The jury found in favor of the Plaintiff, but awarded only $584. In March of 2006, Dave had in excellent result in the case of Campise v. Borcherding. In that matter, Plaintiff, a 16-year old girl at the time of the accident, was struck by Defendant, who lost control of his vehicle. Two doctors testified at trial that Plaintiff had a herniated lumbar disk as a result of this accident and Plaintiff’s attorney admitted over $41,000 of medical bills into evidence. The jury found in favor of Plaintiff, but awarded damages of only $3,750. Born and raised in Princeton, New Jersey, Dave came to Missouri to attend the Honors College at the University of Missouri - Columbia School of Journalism where he graduated in 1990. After pursuing a career as a free lance writer with such publications as St. Louis Magazine, Dave entered Saint Louis University School of Law where he graduated cum laude, and was nominated as a member of the Alpha Sigma Nu Honorary Fraternity for achievement and service to the university.

Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire

Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference.
I have tried 4 jury trials in the past 18 months. It is only through trying cases that one can learn and evaluate a new case that comes thought the door. The most recent jury trial was a case in Madison County (Southern Illinois) that I tried on behalf of an insurance company. The Plaintiff attorney (my opponent) did not have the necessary experience to property evaluate the case and we (the defense) got a defense verdict.

How did you build a successful practice?
The key thing is to establish as many personal relationships with people through the years. Once you create a bond with someone, they know you and trust your judgment.

What should clients look for in a lawyer?
Someone who is being honest with them with respect to the merits of the case and also with respect to billing them.

How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases?
Extremely important. A set of facts in one jurisdiction can be worth almost nothing but the same facts in a neighboring jurisdiction can be worth a great deal of money.

What information can you provide in a free phone consultation?
I am happy to answer any questions, and if I believe the case potentially has merit, I am happy to meet with prospective clients for free.

What information do you need in a free phone consultation?
Depends on the case.

What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community?
Experience and being honest with clients.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Winning Jury trials; when the Jury agrees that your client was right and the opposing attorney was wrong.

What are your other interests in addition to law?
Working with and coaching children.

Are you involved in your community?
I coach numerous sports teams. I currently coach baseball, but I have also coached basketball and soccer in the past.

Position	Organization	Location	Duration
Partner	Wuestling & James		2007-Present

School	Degree	Major	Graduation
Saint Louis University School of Law	J.D.	Law School	1995
University of Missouri	Bachelor's		1990

State / Court	Date
Illinois	1996
Missouri	1995

• Alpha Sigma Nu Honorary Fraternity

Sun.	Mon.	Tue.	Wed.	Thu.	Fri.	Sat.
	9:00 am - 5:00 pm	9:00 am - 5:00 pm	9:00 am - 5:00 pm	9:00 am - 5:00 pm	9:00 am - 5:00 pm

David Karl Simkins has been a Premium Member since April 10, 2017.
Lawyers with longer memberships tend to have more experience so we use the Membership date to help prioritize lawyer listings on search pages.

Verified Credentials	Date Verified
(1996) Licensed as Attorney in Illinois. Verified with Illinois State Bar Association.	April 10, 2017
(1995) Licensed as Attorney in Missouri. Verified with Missouri Bar.	April 10, 2017

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Above credentials have been verified independently by Lawyer.com.

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