Why Veterans Should Work With Simmons Hanly Conroy: Q&A With Attorney Michael Stewart Posted on November 6, 2026November 6, 2026 by Christopher Dryfoos 5 Min Read Veterans and families facing mesothelioma should know they can get support not only from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) but also through the legal system. While pursuing a claim for mesothelioma can seem daunting, the process is much easier with help from experienced attorneys. The Mesothelioma Veterans Center is proud to partner with Simmons Hanly Conroy, a veteran-founded law firm, to help military families file asbestos lawsuits and pursue compensation. The firm guides veterans and families through every step of the legal process at no upfront cost and without affecting VA benefits. We sat down with Michael Stewart, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy, to discuss the benefits of working with the firm and how to get started. Get a free case review now to find out if you’re eligible to pursue mesothelioma compensation with help from Simmons Hanly Conroy. What makes Simmons Hanly Conroy a top mesothelioma law firm for veterans? In my opinion, what sets Simmons Hanly Conroy apart from other firms is that we truly know what it’s like for veterans with mesothelioma. Our founder, John Simmons, is a veteran, as are several other partners, including myself. I served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a noncommissioned officer. And it's not just the partners — we have veterans from every branch of the military working as attorneys and support staff, too. We use this perspective, and the firm’s decades of experience, to fight for veterans with mesothelioma and recover fair compensation for them. Many of our past cases have awarded millions of dollars in mesothelioma compensation to veterans and their families, making their lives easier as they navigate the everyday challenges of a cancer diagnosis. Our commitment to veterans doesn’t end in the courtroom, though. Our firm, especially founder John Simmons, has deep roots in the veteran community through philanthropic efforts, such as helping to fund the National Memorial of Military Ascent in Alton, Illinois. How does Simmons Hanly Conroy help with the mesothelioma claim process? The firm helps veterans and families every step of the way, from gathering the initial evidence and filing a mesothelioma lawsuit to negotiating a settlement. In fact, we’ve assisted over 9,600+ families to date, recovering more than $11 billion in total for clients impacted by asbestos exposure, which includes thousands of military families. One thing I can’t stress enough is that we strive to make the legal process as simple as we can for our clients. We have your back from start to finish, handle as much of the work as we can for you, and take pride in being a very approachable firm, where clients receive prompt, clear communication and stay informed throughout their case. You’ll get your attorney’s personal cell phone number, so you can reach someone at any time to discuss your case. You can be as involved — or uninvolved — in the claims process as you’re comfortable with. Have you represented any other veterans with mesothelioma? Yes, our mesothelioma attorneys work with veterans and their families every year. Unfortunately, veterans make up a large portion of our clients in part because they face a higher risk of developing this cancer from military asbestos exposure. We've helped thousands of veterans with mesothelioma and their families get justice. While I can’t speak to the outcomes of every case we’ve handled, in many situations we’ve secured over $1 million through mesothelioma settlements and verdicts for individual veterans — without affecting their existing VA benefits. Simmons Hanly Conroy is a national firm that helps veterans and civilians impacted by mesothelioma all over the country. We’re ready to support you, too, no matter where you are or where you were stationed. Will I be able to get asbestos VA claims and file a mesothelioma claim with your firm? It’s certainly possible to pursue both mesothelioma VA benefits and lawsuit compensation when you work with us. That’s because receiving veterans benefits is different from a lawsuit. The VA has provisions in place to support veterans with health issues connected to their military service. This includes mesothelioma. But what we do at Simmons involves pursuing legal and financial accountability from private companies that didn’t disclose the health risks associated with asbestos. Because of this, we can help clients throughout the lawsuit process while they continue to receive the medical and financial VA benefits they rightly deserve. Does Simmons Hanly Conroy have VA-accredited attorneys on staff? Yes, we have VA-accredited attorneys who can help veterans prepare and file their asbestos claims. I think it helps to have someone on your side who understands the potential challenges of dealing with the VA. Our VA-accredited attorneys, and those of us who’ve served, bring that perspective to our everyday work with clients. We’re able to relate to what veterans with mesothelioma have been through — what it was like to serve, be away from their families, and risk their lives — and we work with them to meet their needs moving forward. How much will it cost me to work with Simmons Hanly Conroy? At Simmons Hanly Conroy, there’s no upfront cost to work with our team. Our veteran mesothelioma lawyers operate on a contingency-fee basis. You pay nothing unless we secure a financial payout for you and your family. A mesothelioma lawsuit can mean going up against powerful corporations with experienced legal counsel at their disposal. Our law firm helps level the playing field for veterans, tradespeople, and their loved ones harmed by asbestos by working on a contingency-fee basis, so they can pursue compensation without worrying about legal costs. With a cancer like mesothelioma, you and your family are already going through a lot. You shouldn’t have to worry about whether you can afford to work with a mesothelioma lawyer. We remove that barrier, so you can pursue accountability and financial support through the courts. When should I reach out to Simmons Hanly Conroy to discuss my mesothelioma lawsuit? Veterans with mesothelioma or their loved ones should connect with our team as soon as possible after a diagnosis. Time is of the essence because mesothelioma is an aggressive, often fatal cancer. Gathering as much information as possible from the patient early on helps our team build a more complete picture of their asbestos exposure history. We can still investigate potential sources of exposure if a patient passes away, but having that information directly from the patient can give us a valuable head start. There are also legal deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, that are set by each state. These laws can prevent you from filing a mesothelioma lawsuit if you wait too long — even if you otherwise would be able to do so. By reaching out shortly after your diagnosis, you may be in a better position to review all of your options and to start receiving compensation to offset expenses. While I can’t make any guarantees, many past clients have started to receive initial payouts from their mesothelioma claims in just a few months, helping to cover care costs and everyday bills at a critical time in their lives. Get Help from Veteran Mesothelioma Attorneys U.S. veterans deserve the best legal support available when facing a serious mesothelioma diagnosis. Working with a firm like Simmons Hanly Conroy allows veterans to pursue legal claims and compensation more easily. The Mesothelioma Veterans Center partners with Simmons Hanly Conroy to help serve the unique legal needs of veterans. With military asbestos attorneys like Michael Stewart on staff, who served their country, the firm is well positioned to support veterans and their loved ones. Simmons Hanly Conroy has: The ability to help veterans get compensation without affecting VA benefits Decades of experience winning mesothelioma lawsuits Helped more than 3,800 veterans to date A national reach, helping veterans and civilians in all 50 states Recovered over $11 billion for those harmed by asbestos Support personnel, including nurses and paralegals, ready to assist you Call (877) 450-8973 or get a free case review now to find out if you or a U.S. veteran you love is eligible to work with Simmons Hanly Conroy after a mesothelioma diagnosis.