In December of 2000, Andrew J. Simons
returned to St. Johns to join the leadership team of his Alma Mater
as Associate Academic Dean. Prior to his appointment, he served
most recently as a partner-in-charge of the Environmental Practice
Group at the Uniondale law firm of Farrell Fritz, P.C.
(1982-2000).
A member of the Class of 1965 where he was the Editor-in-Chief
of the St. Johns Law Review, Dean Simons began his legal career as
a Law Clerk to Hon. Adrian P. Burke (Associate Judge, New York
State Court of Appeals) (1965-67), practiced law as an Associate
with the Manhattan firm of Willkie, Farr & Gallagher (1967-71)
and served as Confidential Law Secretary to Hon. Daniel P. Albert
(Nassau County Supreme Court) (1971-73). In 1973, he returned to
his Alma Mater for the first time in the capacity of Associate Dean
and Professor of Law, a position he held until 1982.
Admitted to practice in the courts of New York State, the United
States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the
Federal and Second Circuits, and the United States District Court
for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, Dean Simons is
also a member of numerous professional associations and committees.
A Past President and permanent member of the Board of Directors of
the Nassau County Bar Association, he is active in the New York
State Bar Association (Environmental Law Section), and the American
Bar Association (Section on Legal Education and Admission to the
Bar), and has participated in the American Bar Associations
Accreditation Process (1980 to present). He previously served as a
member of the Board of Directors of the Law School Alumni
Association and as Chair of the Associations Academic Advisory
Committee, positions from which he resigned when he assumed his
current role as Associate Academic Dean.
Dean Simons earned an A.B. in English Literature from the
College of the Holy Cross (1960) and, following graduation, served
as a Lieutenant (jg) in the United States Navy from 1960-62. In
addition to his administrative duties at the School of Law, he
teaches New York Civil Practice,Torts and the Civil Practice
Seminar.