Kathleen E. Simon

Kathleen is a New Orleans native and now resides in Covington. She graduated with honors from the Academy of the Sacred Heart in New Orleans in 1979 and went just down the streetcar line to attended Newcomb College of Tulane University graduating with a B.A. in History in 1983. In 1986, she graduated from Loyola University School of Law and was then admitted to practice in the state of Louisiana.

Having practiced in both greater New Orleans metropolitan area, as well as on the North Shore, including the parishes of the 22nd JDC (Washington and St. Tammany) and 21st JDC (Tangipahoa, Livingston and St. Helena), Kathleen has extensive trial experience in Louisiana state courts. Her experience also extends to state court appellate practice, including interlocutory and post-trial appeals in virtually all the state circuits and the Louisiana Supreme Court. She has also presented oral argument before these courts, and she is licensed to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States of America.

Her career began with the firm of Simon & Rees first as an associate and then a partner when the firm became Simon Rees & Simon. Upon retirement of senior partner, E. Kelleher Simon in March of 2002, Kathleen joined the firm of Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson. Once again, she rose through the ranks at PH&J and became a partner in the Covington office. With the litigation boom post-Katrina, Kathleen’s practice expanded to include complex litigation and bad faith claims.

Kathleen is a member of numerous Bar organizations and is currently involved in the Covington and Louisiana Bar Associations and St. Tammany Inns of Court. For more than 12 years she has served as a hearing officer for the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board, and she is now the chairman of one of the hearing committees. She has been active with the Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel and serves on its Board of directors. She served as a faculty member and mentor as chair of the LADC Trial Academy, a three day CLE program for young defense lawyers. Participants “learn by doing” and go through the phases of trial from opening statement through closing argument including direct and cross examination of witnesses including experts, for over 15 years.

Ms. Simon has lectured at continuing legal education programs for the Louisiana State Bar Association, Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board and Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel on issues related to trial practice and litigation strategy as well as ethics, professionalism and social media. She is a member of the Insurance Law Committee of CLM and has written for the “Fraud Squad” column in the CLM publication, and she recently attended the CLM Litigation Management Conference. While her focus has been on being an attorney and counselor at law, Kathleen continues to be involved in the community including serving as a board member and national representative for the Academy of the Sacred Heart (New Orleans) Alumnae Association, Habitat for Humanity, Krewe of Iris and 100 Supper Club, a women’s fundraising group for local charities.

Educational Background:

Academy of the Sacred Heart – New Orleans, Louisiana; Graduated with Honors 1979

Newcomb College of Tulane University – New Orleans, Louisiana; B.A. in History 1983

Loyola University School of Law – New Orleans, Louisiana; J.D. 1986

Sworn in as a member of the Bar for the State of Louisiana – 10/10/86 (LSBA #17800)

Notary Public State of Louisiana

Professional Employment History:

10/10/1986 to 12/31/1997 – Associate
Simon & Rees
New Orleans and Covington, Louisiana

01/01/1998 to 02/28/2002 – Partner
Simon, Rees & Simon
Covington, Louisiana

03/04/02 to 08/31/2015 Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson, LLP
03/04/2002 to 12/23/2006 Associate
01/01/2007 to 08/31/2015 Partner

Professional Associations, Membership and Board Service:

Louisiana State Bar Association – 1986 to present

Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel (LADC) – 1986 to present

Member of the Board of Directors – (multiple terms)
LADC Trial Academy 2002 to present – faculty member, board of directors and current program director

Louisiana State Bar Association – Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board
Member and Hearing Committee Chair – appointment January 2002 through December of 2015

Covington Bar Association – Member 1998 to present

Inns of Court 22nd JDC – Member 2004 to present

Admitted to practice before the following Courts:
State of Louisiana – all state and appellate courts
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
Federal Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
Supreme Court of the United States of America

Lectures and participation in continuing legal education programs:

Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy (a NITA based program)
Member of the faculty from 1999 to present
Board of Directors 2004 to present
Program Director 2014 to present

Lecturer at numerous CLE programs
Louisiana State Bar Association
Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board
Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel
Topics including trial practice, litigation strategy, social medial, ethics and professionalism

Civic and Volunteer Positions:

Rosary Alumnae Association – Academy of the Sacred Heart (New Orleans)
Board member 1995 to present
Regional and national representative 2001 to present

AASH – Associated Alumnae/i of the Sacred Heart (National Board)
Board member 2006 to present
Southern Regional Director

AMASC – International Association of Alumnae/i of the Sacred Heart
Study Plan Coordinator for the term of 2002-2006

Advisor and Legal Counsel for Chi Omega Fraternity
Rho Chapter at Newcomb College of Tulane University
New Orleans, Louisiana from 1986-2000

Habitat for Humanity – St. Tammany Parish 2011 to date