Andrew J. Simons, Vice Dean Emeritus

Vice Dean Emeritus
A.B., College of the Holy Cross, 1960J.D., St. John's University School of Law, 1965

During his almost six decades as a member of the Bar, Vice Dean Emeritus Andrew J. Simons has served two tours of duty at the Law School (1973-82, and 2000-17).  During those years he has served in a variety of capacities, including Professor of Law, Associate Dean, Associate Academic Dean, Vice Dean, Acting Dean, and Vice Dean Emeritus.  All the while he has taught Torts, Advanced Torts, New York Practice, Representing Clients in Complex Litigation, and Drafting Civil Litigation Documents.

A member of the Class of 1965 where he was the Editor-in-Chief of the St. John’s Law Review, Dean Simons clerked in our state court system and practiced law in a New York City firm until joining the administration and faculty of the law school in 1973, positions he held until 1982 when he left academia to return to the private practice of law.  From 1982 to 2000, Dean Simons was the partner-in-charge of the Environmental Practice Group at Farrell Fritz PC, a mid-size general practice firm on Long Island. Much of his practice dealt with complex superfund litigation in both federal and state courts.

A Past President and permanent member of the Board of Directors of the Nassau County Bar Association, he is an active member of the Section on Legal Education and Admission to the Bar of the American Bar Association, where he has participated in the ABA's law school accreditation process, visiting and evaluating over a dozen U.S. law schools.

Dean Simons has experience in the financial sector as well, having served for 20 years as a member of the Board of Trustees of Keystone Custodian Funds (1975-95) and, more recently, as a member of the Board of Directors of State Bank of Long Island (2004-11).

On summer Sunday mornings, Dean Simons plays a 150-year-old foot-pump organ at St. Matthew's lakeside chapel in West Castleton, VT.

Dean Simons earned an A.B. in English Literature from the College of the Holy Cross (1960) and, following graduation, served at sea as a line officer in the United States Navy (1960-62).  He has resided in Westbury, Long Island, with his first wife, Eileen, for over 50 years, and their most treasured activity is enjoying their twelve grandchildren.