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“He is a great attorney who is intelligent, gives very good advice and is always well prepared.”

Chambers USA 2024

Overview

Jeff is an experienced litigator with an innate ability to hone in on what matters to resolve complex business disputes.

As a trial attorney, he represents Fortune 500 companies and industry leaders in a wide variety of matters. Jeff leads the firm’s rail industry efforts.

He has substantial experience prosecuting and defending trademark, trade dress, copyright, patent and trade secret cases, often involving valuable company assets that require the highest level of protection. Jeff has obtained successful results at every stage of these proceedings, from temporary restraining orders through dispositive motions, jury verdicts and appeals in both state and federal courts.

He has successfully defended clients in class actions across a broad range of subject matters, including healthcare, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), financial and insurance regulations, antitrust, securities fraud, software licensing and royalties, software conversion projects, and consumer protection laws. Additionally, Jeff has represented manufacturers of building products and other consumer goods, as well as clients in highly regulated industries such as healthcare and insurance, in tort, breach of warranty, breach of contract, regulatory and antitrust matters.

Jeff began his career as a law clerk to the Honorable Howard F. Sachs in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri. He has remained active in that court throughout his career, including his current service as a member of the court’s Federal Practice Committee, to which he was appointed by the Court En Banc. He has served in significant community leadership roles throughout his career. He is currently on the board of directors of the Kansas City Downtown Council and has formerly served as president of the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners and chair of the Kansas City Liquor Control Board of Review.

Jeff shares his trial advocacy skills with law students at his alma mater, the University of Missouri School of Law, where he teaches advanced trial practice as an adjunct professor. He also provides one-on-one guidance and instruction to young lawyers as a “Master” of the Ross T. Roberts Trial Academy, a program sponsored by the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, to teach advocacy skills in a realistic practice setting.

Jeff is the Managing Partner of Husch Blackwell’s Kansas City office.

“He is a great attorney who is intelligent, gives very good advice and is always well prepared.”

Chambers USA 2024

Industries

Services

Recognition

  • Benchmark Litigation, Future Star, 2015-2019; Local Litigation Star, 2020-2025
  • The Best Lawyers in America®
    • Commercial Litigation, 2010-2025
    • Litigation - Antitrust, 2010-2025
    • Litigation - Intellectual Property, 2010-2025
    • Best Lawyers® Litigation - Antitrust "Lawyer of the Year," Kansas City, 2017, 2019
    • Best Lawyers® Litigation - Intellectual Property "Lawyer of the Year," Kansas City, 2018-2019
  • Ingram's, 40 Under Forty Alumnus of the Year, 2024
  • Chambers USA, Litigation: General Commercial, 2023 and 2024
  • Ingram's 250, 2022, 2023
  • Ingram’s magazine, 50 Missourians You Should Know, 2016
  • Kansas City Business Journal, Best of the Bar, 2002, 2007, 2018
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent
  • Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, Business Litigation, 2007-2023

Education

  • J.D., University of Missouri School of Law
    • cum laude
    • Order of the Coif
    • Missouri Law Review, Board of Editors
  • B.A., University of Missouri
    • English

Admissions

  • Missouri
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas
  • Kansas
  • U.S. District Court, District of Kansas
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court, District of Nebraska
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • American Bar Association, Litigation Section
  • Kansas Bar Association
  • Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, Managing Partners Committee, 2014-present
    • Ross T. Roberts Trial Academy, Master, 2011-present
  • Lawyers Association of Greater Kansas City, Board of Directors, 2002-2004
  • The Missouri Bar, Special Committee on Lawyers of Color in the Profession, 2020
  • National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri
    • Bell Room Historic Project, Contributor
    • Federal Practice Committee, 2013-present
    • Historical Society, 2009-present
    • Law Clerks Society, 2008-present

Clerkship

The Hon. Howard F. Sachs, U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri, 1988-1990

Experience
  • Served as lead trial counsel and successfully obtained a dismissal based upon forum non conveniens, later affirmed on appeal, in Missouri state court for a Class 1 railroad in a lawsuit arising from a bus accident at a railroad crossing.
  • Defended class action lawsuit against a law firm alleging violations of the Missouri Unfair Merchandising Act and other claims arising out of the firm's service as successor trustee in foreclosures; successfully obtained dismissal of all counts after 24+ months of vigorous litigation.
  • Prosecuted trade secrets and breach of contract claims against sellers of specialty ink company; achieved favorable settlement.
  • Prosecuted trade secrets claim against former employee and defended counterclaim for advancement of legal fees; achieved favorable settlement.
  • Defended Kansas City Police Department officer against civil rights claims arising out of the fatal shooting of a fleeing suspect; served as lead trial and appellate counsel; successfully argued the appeal in the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, which reversed the trial court and remanded the case for reconsideration. On remand, the trial court granted the summary judgment motion and dismissed the case in its entirety.
  • Prosecuted trademark infringement action against a Missouri municipality for use of client's trademark; obtained a favorable settlement in which the City ceased using the trademarked name, among other things.
  • Prosecuted claim against raw materials supplier for providing contaminated and defective product used in the manufacture of asphalt roofing shingles; obtained favorable settlement fully compensating client for its loss.
  • Defended product liability claim by homeowner for defective roofing shingles; case settled on favorable terms.
  • Obtained summary judgment on all claims asserted against client in the mortgage banking industry in complex statewide class action regarding non-judicial foreclosures.
Media Mentions | April 2024
Ingram's Alumnus of the Year: Jeff Simon
Community Leadership
  • KC Common Good, Board President, 2023-present
  • Kansas City Downtown Council, Board of Directors, 2014-present
  • Harry S Truman Good Neighbor Award Foundation, Secretary and Director, 2004-present
  • Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners, 1996-2000; President, 1999-2000
  • Kansas City Liquor Control Board of Review, Chair, 2003-2011
  • Kansas City Economic Development and Incentives Policy Task Force, 2007
  • The 3 & 2 Baseball Club of Kansas City, Mo., Coach, 2004-2013; Director, 2007-present
  • Central City School Fund, Diocese of Kansas City – St. Joseph, Director, 2008-2011
  • Funkhouser for Kansas City, Mayor Funkhouser’s Campaign Committee, Chair, 2007
  • Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Centurions Program, Class of 2002
  • Kansas City Blues Society, 2008-present
  • Kansas City Junior Blues Rugby Club, Social Committee, 2010-present
  • KCUR Public Radio, Membership Drive, 2004-present
  • Little Sisters of the Poor, Advisory Board, Chair, 2004-2014
  • Missouri Health and Educational Facilities Authority, 2002-2006; President, 2005-2006
  • Police Athletic League of Kansas City, Inc., Founding Director, 1998-2006
  • St. Peter’s Catholic Church, School PTA President, 2009-2010; Lector, 2003-present
  • UMKC Friends of the Library, Board of Directors, 2005-2007