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Four HeplerBroom Attorneys Once Again Play Key Roles at Asbestos Conference

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Associated Attorney(s)

Alemayehu A. Ayanaw
Alemayehu A. Ayanaw
Alemayehu (Ali) Ayanaw specializes in complex business litigation, with a focus on asbestos, talc, and mass toxic tort matters as well as premises, retailer, and product liabilities cases. He has a proven track record of effectively advocating for manufacturers, retailers, and premises owners in large-scale toxic tort litigation, securing favorable results via motion practice and settlement negotiations. He is experienced in preparing for and defending clients in trials concerning lawsuits alleging asbestos exposure, whether as manufacturers of products or owners of premises.
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Brenda G. Baum
Brenda G. Baum
Brenda G. Baum focuses her practice on mass tort lawsuits involving products liability. Since 2001, she has represented product manufacturers, sellers, and premises defendants in thousands of cases pending in some of the most plaintiff-friendly jurisdictions in Illinois and Missouri, in addition to overseeing cases filed in other plaintiff-oriented jurisdictions such as California, Louisiana, New York, and others.
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Eric P. Hall
Eric P. Hall
Eric P. Hall leans upon his years of work developing and cross-examining experts to build unique and aggressive courtroom trial strategies. He has been first chair trial counsel in asbestos cases and other civil matters and is frequently called upon by clients across the country who trust his ability to deliver an organized and outstanding trial performance. As a past amateur boxer, he is no stranger to pressure and excels in courtrooms just as he did in the “squared circle.”
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Audra L. Zobrist
Audra L. Zobrist
Audra L. Zobrist defends clients in asbestos and toxic tort products and premises liability cases. Although she represents defendants from a broad range of industries, she understands that every client is unique and has distinct business goals. These unique factors guide how she develops the appropriate legal strategy for individual clients. Her clients also depend on her vast industry knowledge to develop solutions that fit their needs.
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Four of HeplerBroom’s asbestos litigation attorneys will play key roles at HarrisMartin’s annual Midwest Asbestos Litigation Conference, which will be held September 21, 2026, at the Four Seasons Hotel in St. Louis. Brenda Baum is in her 17th year of co-chairing the event. Speakers at the event include Eric Hall, who will provide updates on the downstate Illinois asbestos docket; Audra Zobrist, who will update attendees on other jurisdictions in the Midwest; and Alemayehu Ayanaw, who will discuss recent decisions and emerging AI tools associated with asbestos litigation. Other speakers include judges and experienced defense and plaintiff attorneys whose practices concentrate on asbestos litigation.

Ayanaw, Baum, Hall, and Zobrist are all partners with HeplerBroom and focus their practices on asbestos litigation, products and premises liability, and toxic tort matters. Their participation continues the firm’s longstanding involvement in the Midwest Asbestos Litigation Conference.

From 2018 through 2025, Ayanaw was listed as an Emerging Lawyer by Law Bulletin Media’s Illinois Leading Lawyers, while Zobrist was listed on Best Lawyers’ Ones to Watch from 2022 to 2025. Baum and Hall have each been named to the Best Lawyers in America, Illinois Super Lawyers, and Illinois Leading Lawyers lists. In addition, Baum is rated an AV Preeminent Attorney by Martindale-Hubbell. In 2022, Hall was named Best Lawyers’ St. Louis Lawyer of the Year in Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions for Defendants.

Information about the conference, including registration and CLE credits information, is available on HarrisMartin’s website.

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