James S. Simon
Partner
Real Estate & Construction Law
Business Law
Public Law
Finance Law
Nonprofit Law

Practice Area And Professional Expertise

• Represents individuals, businesses, tax-exempt organizations and government clients in real estate and business acquisitions, leasing transactions, public and low-income housing finance transactions, multiparty negotiations, and zoning and compliance matters.
  
  
• Previously worked with the Firm from 2000–2003 as an associate, and from 2003–2006 served the Summit County Engineer as Director of Administration, overseeing a $16 M annual budget, coordinating labor relations and a variety of audit and compliance matters.
  
  
• Advises individual, corporate and political action committee clients on Ohio and Federal Campaign Finance laws and lobbying disclosure law compliance.
  
  
• Serves as a member of the firm’s Political Action Committee (BDBPAC).
  
  
• Recognized as one of Ohio’s Super Lawyers Rising Stars™, in the 2010 Cincinnati Magazine, as voted by his peers.

Publications
Co-Author: Nacua Contract Forms and Procedure Manual (2000)
Managing Editor: Akron Law Review (1999-2000)

Presentations
Speaker: "Nonprofit Organizations 101," So You Want to Start (and/or Expand) a Nonprofit,           Hands on Volunteer Network of the Valley Center for Nonprofit Innovation and           Leadership (May 18, 2010)
Speaker: “Considerations when negotiating workouts, financing & purchase and sale           transactions in a down economy,” Forward Thinking: Real Estate in 2010, Cohen &           Company Roundtable (December 8, 2009)

Education
The University of Akron School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 2000)
Bennington College, Bennington, Vermont (B.A., 1997)

Courts & Bar Associations
Ohio Bar (2000)
U.S. Tax Court (2002)
Member: American Bar Association
Member: Ohio State Bar Association
Member: Akron Bar Association

Professional & Civic Affiliations
Member: Episcopal Diocese of Ohio - Standing Committee (2008 – 2012)
Board of Trustees: Bennington College (1997-1999), (2000-present);
           Member: Executive, Finance and Audit Committees;
           Past Chair: External Relations and Development Committee (2004-2008)
Board of Trustees: United Disability Services (2005-present);
           Chair: Development Committee;
           Chair: United Disability Services Basketball Gala 2006;
           Co-Chair: United Disability Services Basketball Gala 2007
Board of Directors: Creutzfeldt–Jakob Disease Foundation, Inc. (2003-present)
Board of Directors: Autism Family Foundation of Northeast Ohio (2008-present)
Member: Church of Our Saviour, Episcopal
           Chair: Stewardship committee (2006-present)
Member: Vestry (2009-2012)
Member: Leadership Akron, Class XXV