John G. Simon - St. Louis, MO
Attorney at Simon Law
Business Litigation Lawyers in St. Louis, MO
1001 Highlands Plaza Dr. Suite 300 St. Louis, MO 63110
- Free Consultation
- 1 Super Lawyers®
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40
Years
Experience
St. Louis Business Litigation Lawyer
Updated: 05/27/2026
Areas of Practice
- Business Litigation
- Class Action
- Defective Products
- Dangerous Drugs & Products
- Medical Malpractice
- Personal Injury
Litigation: 100%
Attorney Information
Overview
During more than three decades of practicing law, John Simon has built a remarkable record of courtroom victories and incredible settlements for thousands of clients – oftentimes when the odds are not in his favor. The National Law Journal named the firm he founded in 2001 as one of the “winningest firms” in the U.S. In 20 recent months alone, John’s firm achieved four nine-figure verdicts totaling nearly $2 billion.
The firm now has more than 50 dedicated professionals, with a focus on plaintiff’s litigation including personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, business litigation and class action cases.
John’s approach is simple: The client always comes first and prepare every case as if it’s headed to trial.
These principles have driven unparalleled success in the courtroom including record setting verdicts in multiple states. It has also inspired meaningful change across multiple industries and has helped Simon Law become known as the firm where cases become causes.
John’s verdicts have held some of the largest corporations in the world accountable for their misconduct and shined a national spotlight on critical, often ignored industry safety issues.
John obtained his first nine-figure verdict in 2001. He represented a man who was severely injured after a multi-piece wheel he was assembling explosively separated. John demonstrated that the wheel design had a decades-long history of similar separations and uncovered corporate documents showing that the manufacturer knew about the dangerous design of its product for years. The jury awarded John’s client $105 million.
John represented the family of a man who was killed by a natural gas explosion which occurred while he was lighting his barbecue grill. John’s investigation showed that gas leaked from an underground corroded copper line and that this identical problem existed at thousands of other homes. The defendant gas company launched a replacement program which was monitored by the state public service commission.
John’s team also exposed an illegal underground industry involving nitrous oxide products intended for culinary use being sold to smoke shops to be inhaled and abused across the country. The case resulted in a $745 million verdict for the family of a young woman who was killed when a driver, high on nitrous oxide, struck and killed her.
John and his team also represented a 13-year-old girl who was raped at a behavioral health center that was supposed to keep her safe. The firm’s investigation revealed that the facility was dangerously understaffed and had chosen not to monitor its own safety cameras. The jury concluded that the attack should have been prevented and awarded $535 million – the largest such award in Illinois history.
John and his firm’s work on a trucking accident that left two young fathers dead uncovered decades of dangerous conduct within the trailer manufacturing industry. John’s investigation discovered manufacturers continuously putting profits over people. That philosophy led to weakened underride guards, which are supposed to stop vehicles from sliding underneath the back of a trailer in a collision. The jury returned a $462 million verdict in favor of Simon’s clients. At the conclusion of that trial, the judge remarked to the jury that “you had some of the best lawyering we’ve ever seen in this courthouse”.
Many of his firm’s cases have made national news, with John’s work being quoted in USA Today, the New York Times, ProPublica, NBC Nightly News, Yahoo News, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Chicago Tribune and many others, compelling changes across industries and companies.
That’s what John means when he says his firm is where cases become causes.
John’s honors and awards reveal what John’s clients already know — he stands among the best litigators in the United States.
He was inducted into the Inner Circle in 2014, which is an exclusive organization of the Top 100 plaintiffs’ attorneys in the country. He is nationally ranked in Chambers USA and his colleagues and peers have voted him the #1 lawyer in Missouri Super Lawyers, an unprecedented seven consecutive years.
In 2025, Missouri Lawyers Media named John an Influential Lawyer of the Year, which is “awarded to the newsmakers – the Missouri lawyers who made substantial contributions to the legal community this year”. He is also a past president of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis.
John got his law degree from St. Louis University School of Law and has served as an adjunct professor of Trial Advocacy there for more than 25 years.
He and his wife Margie have been married since 1985 and have three children and seven grandchildren.
John’s work ethic began in his own childhood, waking up at 4 a.m. to help his father run the family’s produce stand at the Soulard Market in St. Louis. His father, an immigrant from Lebanon, inspired him with his extraordinary work ethic and charitable nature as he frequently donated food to those in need. Watching his parents raise 10 children while running a successful business instilled a deep respect for hard work and independence in John.
John has also served as a board member for Access Academies, which helps improve education in underserved communities. He currently serves on the board of St. Mary’s High School as well as Giddo Simon Ministries, a non-profit he and his siblings founded in memory of their father to provide fresh produce to those most in need.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- Best Lawyers in America® Recognized, 2005
- Adjunct professor at Saint Louis University School of Law teaching Trial Advocacy, 2000
- Best Lawyers in America St. Louis Personal Injury Litigator, 2011
- Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, 2005
- Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers Top 50 St. Louis, 2006
- Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers Top 10 Attorneys, 2009
- Lawyer of the Year Honoree, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2024, 2026
- Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers® Ranked #1 (2018 – 2024)
- Top 100: Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers (2007-2025)
- Top Verdicts & Settlements (2013, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2024, 2025)
- Lawyer of the Year/Influential Lawyer (2025)
- Power List Honoree (2021-2025)
- Influential Appellate Advocates (2011)
- Golden Anniversary Fellow (2010)
- Spirit of Justice Award (2009)
- Distinguished Lawyer Award (2015)
- President’s Distinguished Service Award (2013)
- President’s Outstanding Service Award
- Robert Walston Chubb Award (2016)
- Defenders of Justice Award (2015)
- Equal Justice Award (2013)
- Special Services Award (2007)
- Riverfront Times Best Lawyer in St. Louis
- St. Louis Magazine Lawyer of the Year (2016)
- SLU Law Order of Fleur de Lis Hall of Fame (2016)
- Corporate LiveWire Product Liability Lawyer of the Year for Missouri (2016)
- ACQ5 Law Award Missouri Product Liability Lawyer of the Year (2014)
- American Society of Legal Advocates Top 100 Litigation Lawyers in Missouri (2013)
- Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® (1996-present)
Other Sources of Feedback About John G. Simon
Included on the 2026 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2025 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list
- 2024 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list
- 2023 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list
- 2022 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list
- 2021 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list
- 2020 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list
- 2019 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list
- 2018 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list
- 2017 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list
- 2016 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list
- 2015 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list
- 2014 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list
- 2013 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list
- 2012 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list
- 2011 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list
- 2010 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list
- 2009 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list
- 2008 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list
- 2007 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list
- 2006 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list
- 2005 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list
Education
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Legal Education
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Saint Louis University School of Law,
St. Louis,
Missouri, 1986
J.D.
Law Review: St. Louis University Law Journal, 1985 - 1986
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Saint Louis University School of Law,
St. Louis,
Missouri, 1986
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Non Legal Education
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Saint Louis University, 1983
B.S.
Honors: magna cum laude
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Saint Louis University, 1983
Current Employment Position(s)
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Managing Partner / Attorney
Classes and Seminars
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Trial Masters, 08/30/2018, Lawyers Association and USA&M
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Vor Dire, 12/08/2017, KTLA’s 2017 Annual Meeting and CLE Seminar
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Voir Dire, 06/20/2017, The Simon Law Firm, P.C. Hon. Richard B. Teitelman Memorial Seminar to Benefit the Legal Services of Missouri
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Trial Wars – Return of the Jury; 06/13/2017; Interactive All-Day Mock Trial by Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers
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Civil Trial Practice CLE; 05/18/17; Saint Louis County Bar Association
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The Art and Science of Jury Persuasion; 2/24/16; Denver Empirical Justice Institute Conference
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Effective Deposition Techniques, Closing Arguments & Ethics; 12/04/15
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Dealing with Experts, 06/23/15, The Simon Law Firm, P.C. Seminar to Benefit Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
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Review and Analysis of Heien v North Carolina (US Supreme Court), 11/13/14, Theodore McMillian Inns of Court, St. Louis
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Voir Dire – Factual Scenario, 11/06/14, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys CLE (MATA)
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Closing Arguments, 06/06/14, Attorney Information Exchange Group Trucking Seminar 2014 (AIEG)
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Trial Masters Series, Closing Arguments, 05/30/14, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis Bench & Bar 2014 (BAMSL)
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From Main Street to Wall Street, Marketing through Referrals, 05/01/14, American Bar Association Firm Marketing Conference (ABA)
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Adjunct professor at Saint Louis University School of Law teaching Trial Advocacy (2000 to present).
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Lessons of 1,000 Trials: Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Presenting a Winning Case at Trial, 04/26/13, The Missouri Bar
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Insider’s Guide to Personal Injury Litigation, 2010, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (BAMSL)
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Truck Accident Litigation from Start to Finish, 2010, National Business Institute, Inc. (NBI)
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Opening Statements, 06/22/2010, The Simon Law Firm, P.C. Sixth Annual Seminar to Benefit Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
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Tips for Handling Personal Injury Cases, 2007, National Business Institute, Inc. (NBI)
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Using Federal Regulations to Build a Punitive Damages Case, 2007, National Business Institute, Inc. (NBI)
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Claim in Trucking Cases & Discovery and Proof of Driver Fatigue, 2008, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys (MATA)
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Making Discovery Work for You in a Products Liability Case, 6/20/2007, The Simon Law Firm, P.C. Third Annual Seminar to Benefit Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
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Building a Strong Foundation for Your Case, 12/14/2007, National Business Institute, Inc. (NBI)
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Expert Witness Seminar, 10/24/2006, National Business Institute, Inc. (NBI)
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What Are You Missing?, 06/15/2005, The Simon Law Firm, P.C. Annual Seminar to Benefit Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc.
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Advanced Trial Advocacy in Missouri, 01/19/2005, National Business Institute, Inc. (NBI)
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Bad Faith Litigation in Missouri, 10/21/1997 and 11/19/1998, National Business Institute, Inc. (NBI)
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Current Developments in Products Liability in Missouri, 06/11/1998, National business Institute, Inc. (NBI)
- Bad Faith Litigation, 07/18/1996, National Business Institute, Inc. (NBI)
Pro Bono Activities
- St. Louis Regional Crime Commission
- Giddo Simon Ministries
- St. Louis Bar Foundation
- St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School
- Simon Law Annual Seminar for Legal Services
- Gateway 180 Homeless Services
- Access Academies After-School Enrichment Programs
- Project XOXO Inc. Charity for the Homeless
Representative Cases
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Wrongful Death: $745 Million Verdict Against Whip-It! Manufacturer
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Product Liability: $462 Million – Verdict Against Wabash Trailer Company
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Product Liability: $105 Million – Products Liability Case Against Bridgestone/Firestone
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Sexual Assault: $535 Million – Verdict Against Behavioral Health Center
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Personal Injury: $42 Million – Case Against Gateway Hotel Holdings
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Class Action: $32 Million
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Class Action: $25 Million
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Class Action: $18 Million
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Medical Malpractice: $17.6 Million
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Dangerous Drugs and Products: $20.8 Million – Vioxx
Published Works
Articles
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Distinctive Aspects of Litigation Under the Federal Employers' Liability Act -- An Overview (Co-Author), St. Louis Bar Journal, Fall, 1989
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Intrastate Forum Non Conveniens in Missouri (Co-Author), Missouri Bar Journal, 1990
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Theories of Liability in Accounting Malpractice Cases-A Plaintiff's Perspective (Co-Author), St. Louis Bar Journal, Summer, 1991
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Punitive Damages in Business Tort Litigation (von Aschwege, Anne-Marie), 54 St. Louis Bar Journal No. 1, p. 28, Summer, 2007
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Plaintiff in Products Liability Case: Overview (Flynn, Francis J., Jr.,), 48 St. Louis Bar Journal No. 3, p. 4., Winter, 2002
- Tennessee v. Garner: The Fleeing Felon Rule, Simon, J., Saint Louis University Law Journal, Vol. 30, 1986
- An Overview of Punitive Damages in Business Tort Litigation in Missouri. Simon, John and Von Aschwege, Anne-Marie, 54 St. Louis Bar Journal No. 1, p. 28, Summer, 2007
- Pharmaceutical Litigation: The Plaintiff's Overview. Simon, John and Vieth, Erich, 51 St. Louis Bar Journal No. 4, p. 12, Spring, 2005
- Plaintiff in Products Liability Case: Overview. Simon, John G. and Flynn, Francis J., Jr., 48 St. Louis Bar Journal No. 3, p. 4., Winter, 2002
- Theories of Liability in Accounting Malpractice Cases: A Plaintiff's Perspective. Fitzsimmons, G. and Simon, J., St. Louis Bar Journal, Summer, 1991
- Distinctive Aspects of Litigation Under the Federal Employers' Liability Act: An Overview. Musgrave, J., Rowley, C. and Simon, J., St. Louis Bar Journal, Fall, 1989
- Federal Employers' Liability Act Cases: Instructing on Sole Cause. Rowley, C. and Simon, J., Journal of the Missouri Bar, April-May, 1988
- Attack Your Own Case Before Your Opponent Does Simon, John, Missouri Lawyers Weekly, July 20, 2009, p. 15, Author; Attack Your Own Case Before Your Opponent Does, Missouri Lawyers Weekly
Bar Admissions
- Missouri, 1986
- Illinois, 1987
- Arkansas, 1992
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Missouri, 1987
- U.S. District Court Western District of Missouri, 2007
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois, 1988
- Minnesota, 2020
- Ohio, 2023
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 1988
- U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois, 1994
- U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1995
- U.S. District Court Western District of Arkansas, 2014
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Arkansas, 2014
- U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit, 2016
- U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit, 2017
- U.S. District Court District of Nebraska, 2021
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, 2024
Other Affiliations
- America’s Top 100 Attorneys, Missouri
- American Association for Justice (AAJ)
- American Bar Association
- American Bar Foundation
- American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
- American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL), Chairman, Missouri Chapter (2022 – 2024)
- American Intellectual Property Law Association
- Arkansas Bar Association
- Attorneys Information Exchange Group (AIEG)
- Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, Executive Committee (2016–2019), President (2018-2019)
- Belli Society
- Chambers USA
- Global Directory of Who’s Who
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Lawyers Association of St. Louis
- Litigation Counsel of America (LCA)
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Minnesota Bar Association
- Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys (MATA), Board of Governors (1991-2020)
- Missouri Bar Association
- National Academy of Jurisprudence, Premier 100
- National Association of Distinguished Counsel, Founding Member
- National Institute of Advocates Association
- Ohio State Bar Association
- Pound Civil Justice Institute, Supporting Fellow
- St. Clair County Bar Association
- St. Louis County Bar Association
- The Inner Circle of Advocates
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers
- Theodore McMillian American Inns of Court, St. Louis, Founding Member
Photo
Contact
1001 Highlands Plaza Dr.
Suite 300
St. Louis, MO 63110
Phone: 800-701-8729
Fax: 314-241-2029
Email: Send a message
Website: http://www.simonlawpc.com
Hours: 8am to 5pm Monday - Friday
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