Simmons Firm's '$5 for the Fight' Donation Drive To Help Unemployed Union Workers Surpasses Goal

A donation match challenge to benefit unemployed St. Louis union workers, spearheaded by the Simmons Law Firm, has surpassed its initial $50,000 goal.

Earlier in March, the Simmons Firm agreed to match all donations to ‘$5 for the Fight’ fundraiser up to $25,000 for a grand total of $50,000 raised. Last week, officials with the fundraiser, which is organized by the St. Louis Labor Council, announced that nearly $27,500 in outside donations was raised.

"On behalf of the Simmons Firm, we are thrilled to see this response and to have played a part in making it happen,” said Attorney Chris Guinn in the St. Louis Labor Tribune. “Thanks to the strength and goodwill of the labor community, this is an outstanding result that will help hard working families throughout the St. Louis area."

The “$5 for the Fight” Fund was originally established in 1996 by the St. Louis Labor Council, AFL-CIO, to assist union members and their families during a financial crisis while they supported a collective bargaining action. It was redirected in 2009 to support unemployed union families, who through no fault of their own, had fallen on hard times because of the down economy. Last year, the campaign raised $134,000 that helped 472 families pay their rent, afford their mortgage, keep their utilities on, eliminate medical bills and more.

The “$5 for the Fight” Emergency Fund is only possible because of generous donations made by caring businesses like the Simmons Firm, union organizations and dedicated individuals. Without them, many of these families would have nowhere to turn for help,” said Robert A. Soutier, president of the Greater St. Louis Labor Council. “Thanks to the leadership of the Simmons Firm, we hope it will be possible for us to help even more unemployed union workers with mortgage payments, rent, utilities, medical bills and more in the coming year.”

Donations can still be made by check or online. Mail a check or money order to “$5 for the Fight,” c/o St. Louis Labor Council, 3301 Hollenberg Drive, Bridgeton, MO 63044 and include your union affiliation if applicable. To make an online donation, visit www.labortribune.com and click “$5 for the Fight” Donations in the left hand column. An option to create a reoccurring automated donation is also available.
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Simmons Firm Ranks as One of Illinois' 50 Largest Law Firms

CHICAGO – Simmons Browder Gianaris Angelides & Barnerd LLC ranks as the 48th largest law firm in Illinois according to the 12th annual survey of the largest law firms in Illinois by Chicago Lawyer Magazine. Last year, the firm was ranked 53rd.

The Simmons Firm employs 57 attorneys in Illinois, 17 of which are equity shareholders and 35 associates.

“We are proud to be recognized as one of the largest law firms in Illinois,” said Shareholder Perry Browder. “As a plaintiff’s firm, our size and resources has enabled us to help individuals and business throughout Illinois and the nation.”

Surveys were sent to the 200 largest firms in Illinois, according to data from the magazine’s sister publication, the Sullivan’s Law Directory. The directory is the most comprehensive listing of legal professionals in Illinois. Firms were asked to submit data as of Jan. 1, 2012. A total of 124 responses were received.

Chicago Lawyer is a monthly magazine that reports on major legal issues, trends and attorneys in the Chicago area and throughout the state of Illinois. It is a respected source of legal information for managing partners, corporate counsel and judges.

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Esure staff to share £3m bonanza after insurance firm's flotation

From the postroom to the boardroom, around 1,000 Esure workers are set to share a £3m payout following the company's flotation this month.
The insurance business behind what are arguably some of the most annoying adverts on TV for brands including Sheila's Wheels and gocompare.com made the announcement in its prospectus as it plans to go public with a value of up to £1.3bn.
If successful, it will make the FTSE 250 listing the biggest of the year so far and leave multimillionaire founder Peter Wood with up to £151m when he sells a quarter of his 49% stake in the firm he set up 13 years ago.
He will remain the biggest shareholder, with 35% of the company, and stay on as chairman with a £730,000 annual salary, private health insurance and his own driver for business and personal use.
The sale is also set to give a significant boost for the Exchequer, with up to £42m due in capital gains tax on Wood's windfall, after the businessman, who is known for paying substantial tax in the UK, decided against relocating to Jersey for the flotation.
Esure's chief executive Stuart Vann could earn up to £1.7m for his work in the first year and chief finance officer Darren Ogden, could earn up to £1m.
The firm employs 1,400 staff and the prospectus reveals it will give long-service awards to any members of staff who have been there for two years or more.
A source close to the business said: "It will be very democratic, with the payouts based purely on length of service rather than on pay level, and ranging from a few hundred to several thousand pounds."
The payouts will be in the form of shares worth £3m in total, which can be sold in three years' time.
The company, which insures 5% of British motorists, aims to sell around 50% of its share capital for between 240p and 310p per share as bosses start a two-week roadshow to woo potential investors. Around £50m of the cash raised will be used to pay off company debts and if the float succeeds the business will move straight into the FTSE 250, alongside rival insurer Direct Line, which was also founded by Wood and floated by Royal Bank of Scotland last October.
"We have worked hard for many years to make Esure a business that can compete at the highest level with confidence," Wood said. "Today is a milestone reached through enormous hard work by the Esure board, executive team and staff.
"We live and breathe insurance at Esure and look forward to bringing that knowledge, commitment and focus to bear as a premium listed company."
Vann will get a basic salary of £475,000, with a 16% pension top-up payment of £79,000, plus a bonus of up to £356,250 in the first year if certain financial targets are met. He will also be entitled to shares worth £831,250 at flotation, but will not be able to cash them in for at least three years and then only if targets are achieved.
Ogden will take home up to £514,600 in the first year and entitled to £465,000-worth of shares which he can sell in three years, pending achievements.
Some bonuses will have clawback agreements attached to them.
The float comes just three years after Wood led a management buyout of a 70% stake from Lloyds Banking Group, which valued the insurer at just £260m.
Never employing a marketing manager, Wood has always overseen the brand image of the business, including the neon pink-clad women advertising Sheila's Wheels, using Michael Winner in Esure commercials with the catchphrase "Calm down, dear" and joint venture Go Compare with its opera-singing mascot.
He also set up Direct Line, with its distinctive red phone on wheels and catchy jingle. Direct Line was recently floated by RBS and became particularly popular with retail investors, with shares rising 20%.
Wood recently told the Guardian: "This is my seventh insurer – and my last. I will be here for as long as I can make a contribution. Or until Stuart [Vann] taps me on the shoulder and says 'Time for a bit more golf'."
Last year Esure revealed that annual pre-tax profits had doubled to £116m.

Esure staff to share £3m bonanza after insurance firm's flotation

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Peter Wood who has run Esure since the launch in 2000, will retain a 35% stake in the business. Photograph Frank Baron for the Guardian

From the postroom to the boardroom, around 1,000 Esure workers are set to share a £3m payout following the company's flotation this month.

The insurance business behind what are arguably some of the most annoying adverts on TV for brands including Sheila's Wheels and gocompare.com made the announcement in its prospectus as it plans to go public with a value of up to £1.3bn.

If successful, it will make the FTSE 250 listing the biggest of the year so far and leave multimillionaire founder Peter Wood with up to £151m when he sells a quarter of his 49% stake in the firm he set up 13 years ago.

He will remain the biggest shareholder, with 35% of the company, and stay on as chairman with a £730,000 annual salary, private health insurance and his own driver for business and personal use.

The sale is also set to give a significant boost for the Exchequer, with up to £42m due in capital gains tax on Wood's windfall, after the businessman, who is known for paying substantial tax in the UK, decided against relocating to Jersey for the flotation.

Esure's chief executive Stuart Vann could earn up to £1.7m for his work in the first year and chief finance officer Darren Ogden, could earn up to £1m.

The firm employs 1,400 staff and the prospectus reveals it will give long-service awards to any members of staff who have been there for two years or more.

A source close to the business said: "It will be very democratic, with the payouts based purely on length of service rather than on pay level, and ranging from a few hundred to several thousand pounds."

The payouts will be in the form of shares worth £3m in total, which can be sold in three years' time.

The company, which insures 5% of British motorists, aims to sell around 50% of its share capital for between 240p and 310p per share as bosses start a two-week roadshow to woo potential investors. Around £50m of the cash raised will be used to pay off company debts and if the float succeeds the business will move straight into the FTSE 250, alongside rival insurer Direct Line, which was also founded by Wood and floated by Royal Bank of Scotland last October.

"We have worked hard for many years to make Esure a business that can compete at the highest level with confidence," Wood said. "Today is a milestone reached through enormous hard work by the Esure board, executive team and staff.

"We live and breathe insurance at Esure and look forward to bringing that knowledge, commitment and focus to bear as a premium listed company."

Vann will get a basic salary of £475,000, with a 16% pension top-up payment of £79,000, plus a bonus of up to £356,250 in the first year if certain financial targets are met. He will also be entitled to shares worth £831,250 at flotation, but will not be able to cash them in for at least three years and then only if targets are achieved.

Ogden will take home up to £514,600 in the first year and entitled to £465,000-worth of shares which he can sell in three years, pending achievements.

Some bonuses will have clawback agreements attached to them.

The float comes just three years after Wood led a management buyout of a 70% stake from Lloyds Banking Group, which valued the insurer at just £260m.

Never employing a marketing manager, Wood has always overseen the brand image of the business, including the neon pink-clad women advertising Sheila's Wheels, using Michael Winner in Esure commercials with the catchphrase "Calm down, dear" and joint venture Go Compare with its opera-singing mascot.

He also set up Direct Line, with its distinctive red phone on wheels and catchy jingle. Direct Line was recently floated by RBS and became particularly popular with retail investors, with shares rising 20%.

Wood recently told the Guardian: "This is my seventh insurer – and my last. I will be here for as long as I can make a contribution. Or until Stuart [Vann] taps me on the shoulder and says 'Time for a bit more golf'."

Last year Esure revealed that annual pre-tax profits had doubled to £116m.