Donald R. Simon, Esq., Principal

Before going into private practice in June of 2003, Mr. Simon was Director of Business and Legal Affairs for Questar, Inc., a Chicago-based documentary film and television company, and a volunteer attorney with Lawyers for the Creative Arts (LCA).  At Questar, he drafted, reviewed, and negotiated various agreements including, talent, production, stock footage, distribution, and music clearance contracts for in-house documentary and television projects.  He also managed the legal affairs of Questar's music label (Mission Records) and book publishing unit (Epoch Books).  In his volunteer activities with LCA, he drafted and reviewed artist representation and talent agreements, recording contracts, and business incorporation material.

Donald writes extensively on art, entertainment, and media law issues.  He has written two law review articles and has appeared in DownBeat and Billboard.  See Publications.  Currently, Donald writes an entertainment law column for Screen Magazine.  He is also an Adjunct Professor of "Broadcast Law" and "Music Licensing" in the Radio Department of Columbia College Chicago and of "Principles of Business" and "Fundamentals of Communication" in the Digital Photography Department of Harrington College of Design.  He also teaches various courses at East-West University and has taught courses in the College of Communication of DePaul University.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Donald worked for 7 years in the radio and television industries.  He was an award-winning television producer and director for an ABC affiliate and later for a Post-Newsweek cable system.  Donald also worked as a radio announcer for a classic/modern rock station, where he produced and hosted a local music show, and as the Operations Director for a classical format public radio station.  He worked as a graphic artist at an advertising publication and as a promotions manager at a college television station.  Donald also played bass guitar in several alternative bands.

Donald received his Juris Doctor and Master of Laws (Intellectual Property) degrees from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois.  He is licensed in Illinois.  Donald received his Bachelor of Arts (Communications) from Missouri Southern State College (now Missouri Southern State University) in Joplin, Missouri.

Donald lives in Chicago, Illinois.