SIMONE JONES defends clients in environmental and toxic tort litigation and product liability matters and representing corporations and executives in internal and criminal investigations. She represents clients in various industries, including the chemical, automotive, and refining sectors, and she leverages her prior work experience at a multinational health care company to represent pharmaceutical companies in their most important matters. Simone is defending and advising companies in emerging contaminant matters involving PFAS and other substances. Other recent cases include defending original equipment manufacturers and senior executives in matters involving auxiliary emission control devices, fuel economy and onboard diagnostics before federal courts, EPA, CARB, DOJ, the FBI, the SEC, and other agencies. As one of the leaders of Sidley’s Environmental Justice group, Simone advises and defends leading companies on environmental justice and other social justice issues.
Simone also has experience successfully defending corporations in high-stakes consumer class action suits alleging consumer fraud, violations of the civil Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and other federal statutes, as well as violations of state laws. Simone also has significant experience responding to government subpoenas and defending and investigating claims of bribery, in addition to purported violations of criminal RICO and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Simone maintains an active pro bono practice and was awarded the award for “Excellence in Pro Bono Service” by the Judges of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and received the “Thomas H. Morsch Award for Pro Bono Achievement” and “Vincent F. Prada Pro Bono Award.” In addition, she recently won a significant victory for U.S. veterans, securing summary judgment on behalf of a class of approximately 9,000 Armed Forces veterans denied full Combat Related Special Compensation.
Simone was awarded the 2024 “Hidden Figure” award from the National Bar Association Women Lawyers Division (NBA-WILD) to honor her achievements addressing environmental justice and social justice issues.
Simone earned her J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law, where she served as the editor of the Seventh Circuit Review Honors Journal. Simone earned her Master of Public Health from Tulane University and her B.S. in biology from the University of Arkansas.