Degrees
- University of Minnesota, B.A., J.D.
Expertise
- Clinical Legal Education
- Criminal Law
- international Criminal Law
Emeritus Clinical Professor Stephen M. Simon ’71 is recognized for his work in clinical education, judicial education, and DWI research and law reform. He directs the Judicial Trial Skills Training Program and teaches trial practice at the Law School. He also teaches at the National Judicial College and at the New Judge Orientation Program in Minnesota. He was the holder of the 1999-2001 Vaughan G. Papke Clinical Professorship of Law.
Professor Simon received his B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Minnesota. Upon graduation from law school, he practiced law as an associate with the Hennepin County Public Defender's Office and then as a prosecutor in the Criminal Division of the Minneapolis City Attorney's Office. Professor Simon was a partner in the law firm of Simon & Albrecht from 1973 to 1976 and also worked as a Judicial Officer for the Hennepin County Municipal Court. In 1976, he became an assistant city attorney for the City of Minnetonka. In addition to his legal duties for the City of Minnetonka, he was an adjunct professor at William Mitchell College of Law.
He joined the University of Minnesota Law School clinical faculty in 1980. Professor Simon is the founder and director of the Minnesota Criminal Justice System DWI Task Force. He has conducted research and published extensively in the area of DWI and Traffic Safety. He was chair of the 1992 Minnesota Legislature Commission on the Treatment and Confinement of DWI Recidivists. He also founded and continues to direct the Judicial Trial Skills Training Program at the Law School. This program, which introduces new judges to courtroom management skills, was one of the first trial skills training programs for judges in the country. Professor Simon is the creator and editor of the Electronic Bench Book, an online bench book for judges and attorneys. He has presented and participated in numerous continuing legal education programs.
Professor Simon, with Professor Maury Landsman, recently completed administering a multi-year grant to the Law School, which provided funds to train other states' judicial educators in the implementation of the judicial skills training program developed here at the Law School. Professor Simon has been on the faculty of the National Judicial College since 1998. He has trained judges there and throughout the United States in courtroom management and evidence in the courtroom.