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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.

Industries

Services

Recognition

  • Benchmark Litigation, Future Star, 2015-2019; Local Litigation Star, 2020-2023
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation, Litigation-Antitrust, Litigation-Intellectual Property, 2010-2023; 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 250, 2022
  • 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, 2007-2022

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.
News Releases | October 01, 2019
Benchmark Litigation's 2020 Edition Recognizes 33 Husch Blackwell Attorneys

The firm also received Benchmark’s “Highly Recommended” ranking in Missouri and Wisconsin and its “Recommended” ranking in Nebraska.

News Releases | August 15, 2019
Husch Blackwell Places 143 Lawyers in 2020 BL Rankings' Best Lawyers in America®

The firm has eight "Lawyers of the Year" and 11 attorneys appearing on the list for the first time.

News Releases | November 14, 2018
Thomson Reuters' Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers and Rising Stars 2018 Names 58 Husch Blackwell Attorneys

Husch Blackwell has 58 attorneys in the 2018 edition of Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.

Media Mentions | November 05, 2018
Kansas City Star Influencer Series: Most Missouri leaders say gas tax increase is ‘long overdue'

Jeff Simon is one of the Star's "Influencers" to comment on the gas tax on the November 6, 2018 Missouri ballot.

Media Mentions | October 26, 2018
Kansas City Business Journal: See Kansas City's Best of the Bar for 2018

Four Husch Blackwell attorneys were selected to the Kansas City Business Journal's 2018 "Best of the Bar."

News Releases | October 11, 2018
Benchmark Litigation Recognizes 28 Husch Blackwell Attorneys

Husch Blackwell is recognized as a top litigation firm in the 2019 edition of Benchmark Litigation, with 28 attorneys across six offices listed.

Media Mentions | October 08, 2018
Kansas City Star Influencer Series: Missouri Influencers on whether redistricting favors a party

In the continuing Kansas City Star Influencer series, Jeff Simon comments on the legislative district drawing process in Missouri.

News Releases | September 24, 2018
Three Husch Blackwell Attorneys Named to KC Techweek 100

Kansas City Techweek has named three Husch Blackwell attorneys--Jeff Simon, Nathan Oleen and Ed Wilson--to its 2018 Techweek 100.

Media Mentions | September 17, 2018
Kansas City Star Influencer Series: Shielding LGBTQ people from discrimination: What stands in the way?

Jeff Simon and Maurice Watson discuss state law protections for LGBTQ individuals and barriers that stand in the way.

Media Mentions | September 10, 2018
Kansas City Star Influencer Series: Missouri Influencers say businesses, unions ‘need each other' for economic growth

Jeff Simon discusses business-union relationships in a Kansas City Star "Influencers" story.

News Releases | August 15, 2018
Husch Blackwell Places 143 Lawyers in 2019 BL Rankings' Best Lawyers in America®

The Best Lawyers in America® has listed 143 Husch Blackwell attorneys in its 2019 directory. The firm has eight "Lawyers of the Year" and five attorneys appearing on the list for the first time.

Media Mentions | July 30, 2018
Kansas City Star Influencer Series: Here's what Missouri Influencers have to say about gun control and gun rights

Jeff Simon and Maurice Watson comment on gun rights/gun control as part of "The Influencer Series."

Media Mentions | July 16, 2018
Kansas City Star Influencer Series: Here's what Influencers had to say about universal pre-K, other education issues

Maurice Watson and Jeff Simon provide their thoughts on how investments in education make a profound impact on states and local communities.

Media Mentions | July 07, 2018
Kansas City Star Influencer Series: NAFTA's benefit is an unambiguous positive for Missouri

Jeff Simon reminds readers of the importance of NAFTA to Missouri’s state economy.

Media Mentions | July 02, 2018
Kansas City Star Influencer Series: ‘In a trade war, everyone loses.' What Trump's tariffs mean for Missouri

Jeff Simon calls for “honest discourse and thoughtful discussion” of tariffs by candidates for office.

Media Mentions | June 06, 2018
Kansas City Star: The Influencer Series

Jeff Simon and Maurice Watson were interviewed for a Kansas City Star multimedia package called “The Influencer Series.”

Media Mentions | May 2018
The Federal Lawyer: Hon. Howard Sachs

Jeff Simon comments fondly on the career of U.S. District Judge Howard Sachs.

Media Mentions | March 30, 2018
Grow KC: A Conversation with Jeff Simon

In a wide-ranging interview, Jeff Simon discusses the need to stem violence in Kansas City and shares the best advice he’s ever received.

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