Jennifer Stack - Alton, IL

Jennifer Stack is an attorney at Simmons Hanly Conroy. She brings nearly three decades of experience and a commitment to creating positive change in communities across the country.

In her role at Simmons Hanly Conroy, Jennifer provides support to our complex litigation teams. She evaluates documents, analyzes issues and distills large volumes of information into a workable and comprehensive format.

“It’s my goal that litigation teams have all of the support and information they need, quickly and accessibly. Even though I don’t work directly with clients, their needs are always on my mind as I work to support their case”.

Jennifer’s decision to become a lawyer was inspired by her father’s lifelong dedication to education and his awareness of the challenges faced by those in their community. She recognized the power of legal advocacy to create change.

“I wanted to make a positive impact on the lives of working families. My dad was a school teacher for over 35 years, and his experience had a huge impact on my sense of purpose in work,” explained Jennifer.

“My dad had a strong understanding of barriers created by environmental and health conditions, and the strain on communities aggravated by corporate malfeasance. I appreciate the ability to use my skills as an attorney to help break down the barriers that exist today.”

Fighting the Opioid Epidemic

Jennifer worked with a group of attorneys that played a pivotal role in securing several significant settlements between the state of Nevada and key stakeholders in the opioid crisis, including manufacturers, pharmacies and distributors.

“I was proud to be part of a team that helped deliver nearly $1 billion for the people of Nevada following the opioid crisis,” said Jennifer.

Throughout the opioid litigation process, she completed comprehensive document review, going through hundreds of pages of evidence to identify crucial information and build a strong case against those responsible for this epidemic.

Jennifer recognizes the profound impact of the opioid crisis on families and communities, and she is dedicated to addressing its root causes while seeking justice for those impacted.

Ohio Trail Derailment in East Palestine, Ohio

On February 3, 2023, train cars operated by Norfolk Southern derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. As a result, nearby land and water sources were contaminated by dangerous chemicals that were being transported.

Many residents were evacuated due to the derailment, and concerns over health problems caused by exposure to these hazardous substances quickly grew.

Jennifer, who grew up in Ohio, embraced the opportunity to help her community seek justice for this incident. She analyzed documents and identified crucial information to build a strong case against the transportation company. The lawsuit settled for $600 million in April 2024.

“Being a member of the team that assisted with the East Palestine train derailment settlement was extremely gratifying to me,” Jennifer noted. “I spent some time as a child appreciating the natural beauty of the area and am passionate about quality of life for residents.”

As with all of the cases she works on, Jennifer’s goal is always to deliver results that will have a positive impact on the lives of her clients.

“I know we have the legal tools to create meaningful change for good, and I really appreciate being able to participate. I also enjoy the collegiality of working with team members from our firm as well as others.”

Background & Experience

Jennifer graduated from Hiram College in 1990 with a B.A. in Economics. She attended law school at Case Western Reserve University School of Law and secured her J.D. in 1993.

Before joining Simmons Hanly Conroy, Jennifer was actively engaged in shaping policy at the Ohio House of Representatives. Her focus areas included education, poverty initiatives, consumer protection and anti-human trafficking work.

Notably, Jennifer helped organize Human Trafficking Awareness Day at the Ohio Statehouse, demonstrating her commitment to advocating for vulnerable populations and addressing pressing societal challenges.

She also worked as a staff attorney in family court, which provided her with a strong understanding of different issues that families may face.

“The combination of my experiences has helped me understand how problems ranging from environmental conditions to substance abuse can have an impact on mental health, family stability and social well-being,” explained Jennifer.

Outside of work, Jennifer is actively involved in her local community. She lives in a multicultural area and is currently studying Japanese to deepen her connections with friends and family.