Practice areas: Personal Injury, Business Litigation; view more
Licensed in Missouri since: 1986
Education: Saint Louis University School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2005 - 2025 Call today:
800-701-8729
The Simon Law Firm, P.C.
1001 Highlands Plaza DrSuite 300
Saint Louis, MO 63110 Visit website
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 which 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.
Practice areas
Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, Business LitigationFocus areas
Construction Accident, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Premises Liability - Plaintiff, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death
- 70% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
- 30% Business Litigation
First Admitted: 1986, Missouri
Professional Webpage: https://simonlawpc.com/meet-our-attorneys/john-g-simon/
Bar / Professional Activity
- American Inns of Court, 2011
- Missouri Association of Trial Lawyers Board of Governors, 1991-present
- State of Missouri
- Admitted to Arkansas Bar, 1992
- Missouri Association of Trial Lawyers, (MATA), 1990
- American Association for Justice, 2003-present
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- St. Louis County Bar Association, 1990-present
- Illinois State Bar Association, 1987-present
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit
- American Bar Association (ABA), 2000
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri, 1987
- Global Directory of Who’s Who, 2014-present
- American Association of Justice, (AAJ) sustaining member, 2004
- The Missouri State Bar Association, 1986-present
- Pound Civil Justice Institute, Supporting Fellow, 2015
- The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation, 2008
- Lawyers Association of St. Louis, 1990-present
- Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis Executive Committee, President-Elect 2017-2018
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit, 1991
- The Inner Circle of Advocates, 2014
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Board of Governors, 2003
- State of Arkansas
- St. Clair County Bar Association, 1990-present
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri, 2007
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers, 2009-present
- U.S. District Court, Western Districts of Arkansas
- Arkansas State Bar Association, 1992
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois, 1988
- Marquis Who’s Who in America, 2014-present
- American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), 2001
- Admitted to Missouri Bar, 1986
- Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow, 2014-present
- American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), 2006
- National Institute of Trial Advocacy Advocates Association, 1989-present
- America’s Top 100 Attorneys® for Missouri, Lifetime Achievement
- American College of Trial Lawyers, 2011
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 1990-present
- State of Illinois
- U.S. District Court of Central District of Illinois, 1994
- The Lawyers’ Association of St. Louis, 1990
- American Trial Lawyers Association, 2009-present
- U.S. District Court, Eastern Districts of Arkansas
- MATA Board of Governors, 1991
- Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (BAMSL), 1987
- Theodore McMillian American Inns of Court, St. Louis, Founding Member, 2011-present
- American Bar Foundation (ABF), 2000
- Admitted to Illinois Bar, 1987
- National Association of Distinguished Counsel, Founding Member, 2014-present
- International Network of Boutique Law Firms, 2006
- Bar Association of the Metropolitan St. Louis, 1987-present
- Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis Executive Committee, Vice President 2016-2017
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Lebrun v. Mine Safety Appliances, et al., Products Liability, $6,515,000.00, 2002
- Dodson v. Mercy Clinic Heart and Vascular, LLC and Dr. Robert P. Ferrara, 10,800,000, 2013
- Maldonado v Gateway Hotel Holdings, LLC, Personal Injury, $42,000,000.00, 2005
- Assistant Elevator Mechanic v. Confidential Elevator Company, Products Liability, $5,000,000.00, 2007
- Adams v Hill, Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission, Illinois Valley Paving Co. et al, Auto Accident, $13,500,000.00, 2007
- Plaintiff v Defendant Pharmaceutical Company, Products Liability, $9,500,000.00, 2009
- Brown v The Laclede Gas Co. Inc., Personal Injury, $8,000,000.00, 2000
- Walsh v Mid-South Transport, Inc. et al Truck Accident, $10,000,000.00, 2003
- Dorman v Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., Products Liability $105,000,000.00, 2000
- Plaintiff v Defendant Supervisor and Defendant Switchgear Manufacturer, Products Liability, $10,000,000.00, 2008
Special Licenses / Certifications
- National Academy of Jurisprudence, 2016
Pro bono / Community Service
- Access Academies, Board of Directors since 2009
- Misouri Bar Foundation, Board Member
- Project XOXO Inc., Founder 2009-present
- The Simon Law Firm, P.C. Annual Seminar to Benefit Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, 2005-present
- Riverfront Times Best Lawyer in St. Louis
- Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Board of Directors, 2017
- St. Mary's Board of Directors since 2008
- Gateway 180 Annual Auction Committee, Chair 2015, 2016, 2017
- Legal Services of Eastern Missouri Justice for All Ball, Honorary Chair, 2016
Honors
- Best Lawyers "Lawyer of the Year" for Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs in St. Louis 2018, Best Lawyers "Lawyer of the Year" for Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs in St. Louis 2018, 2018
- Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers® Top 50 for St. Louis, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers® Top 50 for St. Louis, 2018
- Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers® Top 10, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers® Top 10, 2018
- President's Distinguished Service Award, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, 2013
- Top 100, The American Trial Lawyers Association
- 100 Top Plaintiff Attorneys in the U.S., The Inner Circle of Advocates, 2014
- Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers, 2007
- Missouri Product Liability Lawyer of the Year, ACQ5 Law Award, 2014
- Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers, 2010
- St. Louis Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions, Best Lawyers in America, 2016
- Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers, 2013
- St. Louis Bar Foundation Golden Anniversary Fellow, 2010
- Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers, 2016
- St. Louis Magazine Lawyer of the Year, 2016
- Top 50 for St. Louis, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, 2008
- Top 50 for St. Louis, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, 2016
- Top 50 for St. Louis, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, 2011
- Top 50 for St. Louis, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, 2014
- Top 10 Attorneys, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, 2009
- Top 10 Attorneys, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, 2015
- Best Lawyers® 2011 Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs “Lawyer of the Year” in St. Louis., 2011
- St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers in America, 2017
- Distinguished Lawyer Award, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, 2015
- Equal Justice Award, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, 2013
- Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers, 2005
- 100 Top Plaintiff Attorneys in the U.S., The Inner Circle of Advocates, 2015
- Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers, 2008
- Defenders of Justice Award, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, 2015
- Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers, 2011
- St. Louis Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions, Best Lawyers in America, 2017
- Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers, 2014
- Legal Services of Eastern Missouri’s Robert Walston Chubb Award, 2016
- Top 50 for St. Louis, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, 2006
- Top 10 Attorneys, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, 2016
- Top 50 for St. Louis, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, 2009
- Top 50 for St. Louis, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, 2017
- Top 50 for St. Louis, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, 2012
- Top 50 for St. Louis, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, 2015
- Top 10 Attorneys, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, 2013
- St. Louis Bar Foundation, Spirit of Justice Award, 2009
- Martindate-Hubbell Rating: AV
- Influential Appellate Award, Missouri Lawyers Weekly, 2011
- President's Outstanding Service Award, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
- Top 100 Litigation Lawyers in Missouri, American Society of Legal Advocates, 2013
- Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers, 2006
- 100 Top Plaintiff Attorneys in the U.S., The Inner Circle of Advocates, 2016
- Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers, 2009
- St. Louis Product Liability Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers in America, 2017
- Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers, 2012
- Product Liability Lawyer of the Year for Missouri, Corporate LiveWire, 2016
- Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers, 2015
- SLU Law Order of Fleur de Lis Hall of Fame, 2016
- Top 50 for St. Louis, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, 2007
- Top 10 Attorneys, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, 2017
- Top 50 for St. Louis, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, 2010
- Best Lawyers "Lawyer of the Year" for Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs in St. Louis, 2018
- Top 50 for St. Louis, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, 2013
- Special Services Award, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, 2007
- Top 10 Attorneys, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, 2014
- Best Lawyers in America, 2005-2018
- St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers in America, 2011
- Best Lawyers® 2015 Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs “Lawyer of the Year” in St. Louis., 2015
Educational Background
- Saint Louis University, B.S., Bachelor of Science, Magna Cum Laude, 1983
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Trial Masters, 08/30/2018, Lawyers Association and USA&M, Trial Masters, 08/30/2018, Lawyers Association and USA&M, 2018
- Co-Author, Federal Employers' Liability Act Cases: Instructing on Sole Cause. Journal of the Missouri Bar, April-May, 1988
- Attack Your Own Case Before Your Opponent Does. Missouri Lawyers Weekly, July 20, 2009, p. 15, 2009
- Adjunct professor at Saint Louis University School of Law teaching Trial Advocacy, 2000 to present
- Voir Dire, 06/20/2017, The Simon Law Firm, P.C. Hon. Richard B. Teitelman Memorial Seminar to Benefit the Legal Services of Missouri
- Trial Wars – Return of the Jury; 06/13/2017; Interactive All-Day Mock Trial by Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers
- Civil Trial Practice CLE; 05/18/17; Saint Louis County Bar Association
- The Art and Science of Jury Persuasion; 2/24/16; Denver Empirical Justice Institute Conference
- Effective Deposition Techniques, Closing Arguments & Ethics; 12/04/15
- Dealing with Experts, 06/23/15, The Simon Law Firm, P.C. Seminar to Benefit Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
- Review and Analysis of Heien v North Carolina (US Supreme Court), 11/13/14, Theodore McMillian Inns of Court, St. Louis
- Voir Dire – Factual Scenario, 11/06/14, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys CLE (MATA)
- Closing Arguments, 06/06/14, Attorney Information Exchange Group Trucking Seminar 2014 (AIEG)
- Trial Masters Series, Closing Arguments, 05/30/14, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis Bench & Bar 2014 (BAMSL)
- From Main Street to Wall Street, Marketing through Referrals, 05/01/14, American Bar Association Firm Marketing Conference (ABA)
- Lessons of 1,000 Trials: Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Presenting a Winning Case at Trial, 04/26/13, The Missouri Bar
- Insider’s Guide to Personal Injury Litigation, 2010, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (BAMSL)
- Truck Accident Litigation from Start to Finish, 2010, National Business Institute, Inc. (NBI)
- Opening Statements, 06/22/2010, The Simon Law Firm, P.C. Sixth Annual Seminar to Benefit Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
- Tips for Handling Personal Injury Cases, 2007, National Business Institute, Inc. (NBI)
- Using Federal Regulations to Build a Punitive Damages Case, 2007, National Business Institute, Inc. (NBI)
- Claim in Trucking Cases & Discovery and Proof of Driver Fatigue, 2008, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys (MATA)
- 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
- Building a Strong Foundation for Your Case, 12/14/2007, National Business Institute, Inc. (NBI)
- Expert Witness Seminar, 10/24/2006, National Business Institute, Inc. (NBI)
- What Are You Missing?, 06/15/2005, The Simon Law Firm, P.C. Annual Seminar to Benefit Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc.
- Advanced Trial Advocacy in Missouri, 01/19/2005, National Business Institute, Inc. (NBI)
- Co-Author, An Overview of Punitive Damages in Business Tort Litigation in Missouri, Simon, John, 54 St. Louis Bar Journal, No. 1, p. 28, Summer, 2007
- Bad Faith Litigation in Missouri, 10/21/1997 and 11/19/1998, National Business Institute, Inc. (NBI)
- Current Developments in Products Liability in Missouri, 06/11/1998, National business Institute, Inc. (NBI)
- Co-Author, Pharmaceutical Litigation: The Plaintiff's Overview. 51 St. Louis Bar Journal No. 4, p. 12, Spring, 2005
- Bad Faith Litigation, 07/18/1996, National Business Institute, Inc. (NBI)
- Co-Author, Plaintiff in Products Liability Case: Overview. 48 St. Louis Bar Journal No. 3, p. 4, Winter, 2002
- Co-Author, Theories of Liability in Accounting Malpractice Cases: A Plaintiff's Perspective. St. Louis Bar Journal, Summer, 1991
- Co-Author, Interstate Forum Non Conveniens in Missouri. Journal of the Missouri Bar, 1990
- Co-Authors, Distinctive Aspects of Litigation Under the Federal Employers' Liability Act: An Overview. St. Louis Bar Journal, Fall, 1989
Other Outstanding Achievements
- Best Lawyers "Lawyer of the Year" for Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs in St. Louis 201, 2018
- Best Lawyers® 2015 Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs “Lawyer of the Year” in St. Louis., 2015
- Best Lawyers® 2011 Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs “Lawyer of the Year” in St. Louis., 2011
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“John Simon is one of the best attorneys in country. I had the pleasure of working with him for many years. He is a tremendous litigator.”
Office location for John G. Simon
1001 Highlands Plaza Dr
Suite 300
Saint Louis, MO 63110
Phone: 800-701-8729
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2005 - 2025
Top Lists
Top 50: St. Louis Super Lawyers: 2006 - 2009, 2011 - 2025- Top 50: 2025 St. Louis Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2024 St. Louis Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2023 St. Louis Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2022 St. Louis Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2021 St. Louis Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2020 St. Louis Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2019 St. Louis Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2018 St. Louis Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2017 St. Louis Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2016 St. Louis Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2015 St. Louis Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2014 St. Louis Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2013 St. Louis Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2012 St. Louis Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2011 St. Louis Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2009 St. Louis Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2008 St. Louis Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2007 St. Louis Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2006 St. Louis Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2025 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2024 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2023 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2022 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2021 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2020 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2019 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2018 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2017 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2016 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2015 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2014 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2013 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 10: 2009 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2025 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2024 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2023 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2022 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2021 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2020 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2019 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2018 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2017 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2016 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2015 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2014 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2013 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2012 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2011 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2010 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2009 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2008 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2007 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
