---
title: "John Simon | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-simon"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# John Simon

Florida First Judicial Circuit Court · Circuit Judge

## Profile

- Court: Florida First Judicial Circuit Court
- State: Florida
- Role: Circuit Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### media and still photography

Scope: statewide

Electronic media and still-photography coverage is allowed in Florida public trial and appellate proceedings under Rule 2.450's equipment and conduct standards, always subject to the presiding judge's control of decorum, distractions, and fair administration.

Evidence excerpt: Subject at all times to the authority of the presiding judge to: (i) control the conduct of proceedings before the court; (ii) ensure decorum and prevent distractions; and (iii) ensure the fair administration of justice in the pending cause, electronic media and still photography coverage of public judicial proceedings in the appellate and trial courts of this state shall be allowed

[Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.firstjudicialcircuit.org/legal-professionals/judges/john-simon/)
- [Official roster](https://www.firstjudicialcircuit.org/legal-professionals/judges/john-simon/)
- [Florida Judicial Branch circuit court administration official judicial roster](https://www.firstjudicialcircuit.org/legal-professionals/judges/john-simon/)
- [Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- John A. Simon is a judge for the Cook County Circuit Court in Illinois, first elected as an associate judge in 2019
- His early career included serving as an assistant U.S. attorney and later practicing corporate transactional and governmental law at Jenner & Block
- John F. Simon, Jr. serves as the Chief Judge of the First Judicial Circuit of Florida, which covers Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton Counties

### Education

- a J.D. from DePaul University College of Law, and he was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1967.
- Simon obtained a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison

### Additional information

- Elected to a full term in 2014 and resigned effective May 1, 2018.
- John B. Simon served on the Illinois First District Appellate Court, appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2012 to replace Michael J. Murphy.
- Born on June 24, 1960, he obtained a B.S. from the University of Santa Clara and a J.D. from Loyola University.
- He has presided over a variety of cases, including administrative reviews, unemployment compensation disputes, and non-jury civil matters.
- His office handles inquiries and motions through formal filings, and only a judge can grant requests such as rescheduling hearings
- He oversees court administration and ensures transparency, accessibility, and efficiency in the judicial process.
- Before joining the bench, he specialized in commercial litigation, product liability, employment law, and ERISA matters, working at Gardner, Carton & Douglas in Chicago.
- He is a member of the Cook County Judicial Advisory Council and the Chicago Bar Association



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-f9444c394a89ab9f4ffde994) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450). Collected 2026-07-26.