Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2016 
John S. Simmons is a trial attorney based in Columbia, South Carolina, and founder of Simmons Law Firm LLC. He previously served as the United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina after his appointment by President George H.W. Bush in 1992. At the time of his appointment, he was the youngest United States Attorney in the country and supervised all federal civil and criminal litigation throughout South Carolina.
For more than 40 years, Mr. Simmons has represented individuals and businesses in complex litigation and high-stakes legal matters. His practice includes catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, products liability, pharmaceutical liability, premises liability, medical malpractice, and criminal defense involving white-collar matters. He has tried civil and criminal cases in courts across South Carolina and has also represented clients in other jurisdictions through special admission.
Before founding Simmons Law Firm LLC, Mr. Simmons served in both state and federal prosecution roles, including Chief of the South Carolina State Grand Jury and Assistant United States Attorney. His background in government service provides clients with insight into investigative procedures, trial strategy, and the handling of complex criminal and civil cases.
Mr. Simmons has remained active in public service throughout his legal career. He has served on numerous boards and commissions, including the South Carolina Commission on Ethics Reform, the South Carolina Ethics Commission, and committees responsible for the selection of federal magistrate judges. He also supports legal education and the local community through charitable and academic initiatives, including the endowment of a scholarship in his name at the University of South Carolina School of Law.
Outside the office, Mr. Simmons enjoys spending time with his family and visiting his farm in the South Carolina Lowcountry. He is an avid sports fan and former walk-on letterman for the 1981 University of South Carolina baseball team, which finished fourth in the College World Series. He has also volunteered as an assistant coach for a local American Legion baseball team.
