Prior to being called to the Bar in 2021, Simon was a Partner at McLean, McKenzie and Topfer, Barristers and Solicitors, for four years, where he had worked since 2013, specialising in workers compensation, personal injuries and administrative law.

Before entering private legal practice in 2013, Simon held the position of Senior Legal Advisor (2012-13) and Legal Advisor (2011) to the Tasmanian State Attorney-General and Crown Counsel in the Office of the Solicitor-General for the State of Tasmania between 2007 and 2011.

As Crown Counsel he represented the State of Tasmania as junior counsel in five High Court Constitutional Law cases. He also acted as junior counsel in cases in the Full Federal Court and the Full Family Court, and lead counsel in cases in the Tasmanian Court of Criminal Appeal, the Supreme Court and the Family Court.

After his move to private legal practice he acted as lead counsel in cases in the Full Court of the Tasmanian Supreme Court, the Supreme Court of Tasmania, the Magistrates Court of Tasmania, the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Tribunal and the Fair Work Commission.

He is the current Vice-President and immediate-past Treasurer of the Law Society of Tasmania. He is also the inaugural Chair of the Law Society’s Wellbeing Committee.

Simon was admitted to practice in 2007, having graduated from the University of Tasmania with a Bachelor of Laws with Honours in 2005 after having earlier graduated with a Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours in 2001.

In 2005 and 2006, prior to admission to legal practice, Simon lived and worked in Timor-Leste, working primarily as an Australian Volunteers International funded legal and policy advisor in the minerals, oil and gas sector for the Timor-Leste Government.

Simon in a former Criminal Injuries Compensation Commissioner and legal member of the Mental Health Tribunal.

Noted Experience

  • Betfair Pty Limited v Western Australia [2008] HCA 11
  • Momcilovic v The Queen [2011] HCA 34
  • Queanbeyan City Council v ACTEW Corporation Ltd [2011] HCA 40
  • Public Service Association of South Australia Incorporated v Industrial Relations Commission of South Australia [2012] HCA 25
  • Williams v Commonwealth of Australia [2012] HCA 23

Field of Practice

  • Anti-Discrimination
  • Appellate
  • Civil- Common Law/Personal Injury
  • Constitutional
  • Inquests/Inquiries
  • Public/Administrative Law
  • Workers Compensation