Simon P.Hansen

Partner

Atlanta + 1.404.581.8988

Simon Hansen is a trial lawyer with experience in more than 15 jury trials — including serving as second-chair counsel — in high-risk cases tried to verdict in state and federal courts throughout the country. He has been a member of numerous trial teams that have secured a complete defense verdict. Simon's practice focuses on product liability, mass tort, and commercial litigation.

As trial counsel, Simon has conducted cross-examinations of fact witnesses and expert witnesses in the fields of medicine, history, and product design. He has argued jury instructions and significant motions to the court, including motions for summary judgment and directed verdict. Simon is also involved in the preparation of cases for trial: he takes and defends fact and expert depositions, consults with and prepares expert witnesses, drafts pretrial and post-trial motions, and assists with the workup of dozens of cases in active discovery. Simon's work includes Jones Day's nationwide defense of smoking and health lawsuits brought against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.

Simon maintains an active pro bono practice. As part of Jones Day's Border Project, he has drafted briefs for multiple clients seeking asylum. Simon also serves as a Barrister in the Cooper Inn of Court.

Before joining Jones Day, Simon taught middle school math and science at an alternative school in Mississippi through Teach For America.

Experience

  • R.J. Reynolds wins complete defense verdict in Anderson wrongful death lawsuitOn October 25, 2022, following two weeks of trial, a jury in state court in Gadsden County, Florida returned a complete defense verdict in favor of Jones Day client, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, in a wrongful death case.
  • R.J. Reynolds wins complete defense verdict in Oregon personal injury lawsuitOn February 19, 2021, after a two-week trial, a jury in Portland, Oregon returned a complete defense verdict on behalf of Jones Day client R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company in a personal injury lawsuit.
  • R.J. Reynolds wins complete defense verdict reversing $23.4 billion punitive damages awardOn June 24, 2019, following eleven days of trial, a jury in Pensacola, Florida returned a defense verdict in favor of Jones Day client R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company in a retrial of a wrongful death action.
  • R.J. Reynolds wins jury verdict in Gordon ''Engle progeny'' trialOn October 5, 2015, a jury in Punta Gorda, Florida returned a verdict favorable to Jones Day client R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company following 10 days of trial and approximately 4 hours of deliberation in an "Engle progeny" lawsuit.
  • R.J. Reynolds wins jury verdict in Lennox "Engle progeny" trialOn February 11, 2015, following six days of trial and approximately five hours of deliberation, a jury in Tampa, Florida returned a verdict in favor of Jones Day client R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company in a personal injury action finding that the smoker was not an Engle class member.
  • OG&E wins motion to dismiss in suit regarding alleged violations of Clean Air ActJones Day assisted Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company ("OG&E") in securing the dismissal of a declaratory judgment action filed by the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") and intervenor Sierra Club (collectively "Plaintiffs") for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act.
  • R.J. Reynolds wins jury verdict in Starbuck ''Engle progeny'' lawsuitOn December 16, 2014, following two weeks of trial, a jury in Jacksonville, Florida returned a verdict in favor of Jones Day client R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company in a personal injury action.