Don Simon, criminal justice attorney since 1989, has graciously accepted the nominating committee’s invitation to become a candidate to serve on Unity’s Board of Directors. His introduction to UCC, initiated by his wife Jennifer, is easily etched in memory; it was in 2003 following the electrical fire that resulted in tent services in the church parking lot.
Born in California, Don moved with his family to Pinellas County in 1969 because of his dad’s job at Honeywell and the space program. As a kid, he got to watch many space launches, including the Apollo 13 launch. Most family members still live in the Tampa Bay area. Don graduated from Seminole High School, received a degree in criminal justice at USF and earned his law degree at Stetson University. He has devoted his entire 30 years of practice to clients needing help in the area of Criminal Law and Personal Injury, serving first as a prosecutor and then in private practice as a defense attorney. He has handled thousands of cases ranging from simple to complex. Fortunate to have established a solid reference base, he can primarily rely on direct mail and repeat business and is always available to consult on legal issues at AttorneyDonSimon.com
With obvious pride in family, Don says, “I am blessed to have met and married the beautiful, smart, strong, spiritual Jennifer almost 20 years ago.” She is also a former prosecutor. He describes his three daughters as “successfully growing into self-sufficient strong beautiful young women.” They are Sarah 26, Emily, 24 and Naomi, 20. “Extended” family includes an Aussie, a Sheltie, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the recent addition of an injured kitten found in the woods near their home.
Raised Catholic, Don appreciates that Unity is “all inclusive. “No judgment,” he says. “”Leddy is an awesome preacher, the services never fail to uplift, and it carries over through the week.” He loves the staff, volunteers, holiday services and the “fantastic music ministry.” On Service Saturday, Don enjoys outdoor gardening work, and when the Simons travel, they look for Unity churches and have attended services from Key West to Colorado.
Added to love of family, profession and church, Don’s affinity for the harmony of music was born in his early years. His mother played piano, his dad, guitar, and at age 5, Don began piano lessons. “Mom thought I had great talent, but I didn’t really care for practice, and learning classical music didn’t satisfy my rock and roll nature,” he says, but music was always fun and remains so. Today, Don plays and sings in the “Straight Up Blues Band” and “Up the Creek Blues Band,” who perform at Finley’s Irish Pub, Seminole American Legion and Biff Burger and are always happy to audition and give CDS for parties, clubs and bars. For Don, who gets tense in a week without music, it is a good stress reducer.
A fan of the Rays, Lightning and Bucs, Don enjoys travel and outdoor activity, including snow skiing, boating, paddle board, biking and concerts. The Simons’ family aims to travel during the summer, avoiding the Florida heat. Eventually, they would love to spend summers in a cool climate and winters in Florida.