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Mary Simon

Mary Simon

Host of Heels in the Courtroom

Mary Simon is a devoted advocate of the injured, particularly those suffering from serious injuries related to product liability and medical malpractice lawsuits. Compassionate in her approach and relentless in her determination, she is committed to helping those who’ve been harmed by third party negligence.

Host of
Recent Episodes
September 25, 2024

EP 819- Emotional Trial Support Animals

This episode is dedicated to Amy Gunn’s beloved Sun Bun Gunn, who recently crossed the Rainbow Bridge. We’ll talk about the special place pets hold in our lives and why we think...

September 11, 2024

EP 818- Opposing Counsel Conditioning

Opposing counsel is telling you all the problems with your case for the 800th time. When he starts up again (yes, we think it’s a guy thing) should you shut it down...

May 8, 2024

EP 809- Define Success

What does success mean to you? Is it a monetary goal?  A safe and comfortable home? Or simply the ability to shop at the “fancy” grocery store? Take a moment to re-evaluate...

April 24, 2024

EP 808- Book Report: The Checklist Manifesto

Checklists help us avoid mistakes and allow our brains to focus on higher thinking. Follow along as we use pro tips from a checklist expert to create a fail-safe prep list for...

April 10, 2024

EP 807- Mentorship with John Simon Part Two

Our goal is to lift you up with every episode, and today we are sharing our mentor’s most valuable life lessons. We hope these ideas help you get through the day with...

March 27, 2024

EP 806- Mentorship with John Simon Part One

Mentors help you build skills, gain confidence and are there for you when you need trusted advice on practically anything.  Mary brings her mentor (and Dad) Attorney John Simon into the discussion...

March 13, 2024

EP 805- Handling Tough Emotions

Frustration. Guilt. Anger. Loss.  It’s hard to stay focused when so many powerful emotions come at you in a single day. Listen in as we discuss our recent rides on the emotional...

February 14, 2024

EP 803- Sexual Assault Verdict for the Plaintiff Part Two

The one fact that will convince the jury your client is telling the truth is right there in the records….you just have to find it and present it in the most impactful...

January 31, 2024

EP 802- Sexual Assault Verdict for the Plaintiff Part One

Our latest trial win involved a sexual assault case between a woman, her supervisor, and what really happened after he knocked on her hotel room door. We’ll share the facts of the...

December 27, 2023

EP 742- New Year’s Resolutions

The New Year is a good time for reflection even if you don’t do resolutions. To kick off 2024, we checked in on last year’s silly and serious resolutions and made some...

December 20, 2023

EP 741- ‘Tis The Season

The holidays can be stressful but sharing the joy of traditions like making memory books, traveling home and tying the hugest tree you can find on the mini-Cooper make it all worthwhile....

December 13, 2023

ENCORE Mean Mugs and Shoulder Shrugs

Seriously, opposing counsel is making faces during a tragic trucking case that involves the death of a child?! Erica Slater managed to overcome eye rolls, shoulder shrugs, claims of phantom vehicles and...

December 6, 2023

ENCORE How to Cross Examine a Nice Person

Not every cross examination has to be adversarial. If you come on too strong with a witness who is trying hard to be helpful, you may prove your point but lose your...

November 29, 2023

EP 740- Information Overload

Bing. Another email. Bing. Update on disturbing international unrest. Your heart hurts but…. Bing. Your exercise app interrupts with a workout nudge. Bing. Meeting reminder, and you realize you forgot to send...

November 22, 2023

EP 739- Give Thanks

Most of us get so caught up in our hectic day-to-day world that we forget to appreciate our achievements and the people who bring us joy.  So slow down and share a...

October 25, 2023

EP 733- Called To Serve

Got room in your hectic schedule for another “obligation”? Think “opportunity” instead. Taking on a leadership role in a professional or community organization offers connections and insights you won’t find anyplace else....

October 4, 2023

EP 730- Preparing Your Client for Trial

As trial approaches, most clients are scared and vulnerable. How can you help? You might have to take off your attorney armor and be vulnerable too. This emotional episode offers ideas on...

September 20, 2023

EP728- Artificial Intelligence

Are you tempted to use AI to write a brief or do your research? You should know what happened to some attorneys who tried to save time and got sanctioned instead. We...

September 6, 2023

EP 726- Delay Tactics

It’s infuriating when opposing counsel refuses to pick depo dates, makes excuses to delay proceedings or just plain ghosts you. We believe justice delayed is justice denied, and hope today’s tips can...

August 30, 2023

EP 725- I’m Sorry for Apologizing

Do you apologize for moving a meeting or asking a legitimate question? Apologizing can be a knee jerk reaction that implies a weak position, or it can be a powerful tool to...

August 9, 2023

EP 722- I’ve Had It!

We’re done with opposing counsel’s snarky emails, loud yawners, attorneys who think their years of experience means the law should be bent for them and people who creep out our kids. Laugh...

August 2, 2023

EP 721- Calling An Adverse Witness

Under what circumstances should you consider calling an adverse witness?  Today’s discussion examines the risks involved and offers tips on how to be successful if adverse witness testimony is critical to your...

July 26, 2023

EP 436 – Father’s Day: Working with Your Dad Part Two

Can the attributes of a good trial attorney run in the family? Part Two of our Father’s Day discussion about practicing law with your Dad talks about the decision to follow your...

July 26, 2023

EP 720 – Father’s Day: Working with Your Dad Part Two

Can the attributes of a good trial attorney run in the family? Part Two of our Father’s Day discussion about practicing law with your Dad talks about the decision to follow your...

July 19, 2023

EP 435 – Father’s Day: Working with Your Dad Part One

If given the opportunity, would you say yes to working with your Dad? In recognition of Father’s Day, father-daughter trial lawyer duos John Simon and Mary Simon, and Judge Jack Garvey and...

July 19, 2023

EP 719 – Father’s Day: Working with Your Dad Part One

If given the opportunity, would you say yes to working with your Dad? In recognition of Father’s Day, father-daughter trial lawyer duos John Simon and Mary Simon, and Judge Jack Garvey and...

July 12, 2023

ENCORE “The Big Hot Mess”

Erica has “thunder tears.” Liz becomes “hot garbage.” We’ve all had days where life is a big hot mess. In this encore episode, Amy, Mary, Erica and Liz talk about how they...

July 5, 2023

ENCORE “Who are you calling ‘Little Lady?’”

Our Heels in the Courtroom community has grown to thousands of downloads since our first episode. Tune in to hear a reprise of EP101 and get a little background on who we...

June 28, 2023

EP718- Mistrials

The judge says “mistrial” and Poof! Your half-argued case just became a do-over. What now? It recently happened to us and we want to supply some insight into what can cause a...

June 21, 2023

EP717- Get to Know Me

Which attorney has jumped out of an airplane? Had an invisible friend? Or was required to wash rocks as a child? We went around the table using a fun life experiences questionnaire...

May 31, 2023

EP714- Wrongful Death Settlements

In wrongful death cases, we always focus on the facts regarding the decedent. Experienced attorneys know we should also consider the settlement before taking the case. Today we’ll talk about due diligence...

May 10, 2023

EP711 – Thanks, Mom!

Our values, fire and compassion come from somewhere and most likely, it’s from Mom. In honor of Mother’s Day the Heels in the Courtroom ladies stepped up to share the wisdom we...

May 3, 2023

EP308 Encore – What is a Successful Lawyer? With John Simon

We always want to win in the courtroom, but should that be our only measure of success? Nationally recognized plaintiff attorney John Simon, the founder of The Simon Law firm, one of...

April 26, 2023

EP302 Encore – Young Lawyers Unite

One key goal of our podcast is to mentor and inspire the next generation of attorneys. This week’s encore episode offers advice from Elizabeth McNulty, Mary Simon, and Megan Crowe about their...

April 19, 2023

EP710 – Social Media Dirt and Gold

Posting pics from your latest concert or footage of that crazy car crash you were in for all your friends to see? Surprise…..your opposing counsel might see it too. Today we’re talking...

April 12, 2023

EP709 – Growth vs. Fixed Mindset

Lawyers are taught plenty about the law but are expected to manage their legal teams with very little training. Today’s discussion on management style focuses on growth and fixed mindsets and how...

April 5, 2023

EP708 – Say This, Not That

You have a question about your case, so you approach a colleague for advice. But the first thing out of their mouth is “How can you possibly not know that?” Ouch! How...

March 29, 2023

EP707 – Why Do We Have to Carry the Emotional Baggage?!

We recently attended the inspiring Women In The Law symposium sponsored by the Federal Bar Association for the Southern District of Illinois, and several panelists discussed an ongoing issue….why are women still...

March 22, 2023

SPECIAL EPISODE – Trial Tested: The View from the Bench with Justice Marie Deschamps

Inspiring women are at work around the globe and we can learn a lot from their experience. Amy Gunn had the opportunity to speak with former Canadian Supreme Court Justice Marie Deschamps...

March 8, 2023

EP706 – Focus Groups Part Two

You clearly gave your focus group jurors all the facts in your case. Most understood your message, but a few folks went completely off the deep end and jumped to a conclusion...

March 1, 2023

EP705 – Focus Groups Part One

Wouldn’t you love to know what jurors are thinking about your case? Focus groups provide valuable insights into case strategy and potential damages issues. They can also reveal issues you never considered...

February 22, 2023

EP704 – See You in Small Claims Court

Say you go on vacation and your condo reservation gets canceled just before you arrive, but you are promised a full refund. But after a gazillion texts, emails, and phone calls, you...

February 15, 2023

EP703 – Bankruptcy and the Texas Two-Step

The Texas Two-Step isn’t just a country music line dance. It’s a controversial legal maneuver a company can use to avoid exposure to potential legal claims, and it could derail your case....

February 8, 2023

EP702 – What Makes A Good Mediator?

Mediators are supposed to be unbiased but that’s not always the case. What should you do if your mediator appears to be favoring the other side or acts inappropriately? We’ve got some...

February 1, 2023

EP701 – Quiet Masculinity?!

We just heard that if you want to rise to the top, you need to exhibit “quiet masculinity”. What the hell is that? Is it a weird way of saying “don’t be...

January 25, 2023

EP620 – Lawyer Misconceptions

Filed any frivolous lawsuits lately? Of course you haven’t, but sadly, many people think lawyers are just greedy manipulators who lie for a living. Not only does that hurt us personally, but...

January 18, 2023

EP619 – Settlement Releases and Agreements

After years of litigation, the check is literally sitting on your desk.  All you have to do is sign that boilerplate settlement agreement and you’re done, right? Wrong. Pour a cup of...

January 11, 2023

EP618 – New Year’s Resolutions

We’re not talking about eating more veggies or actually using that old gym membership. Our thoughts about New Year’s resolutions for 2023 involve personal challenges to build and defend our boundaries, be...

December 21, 2022

EP617 – 2022 Highs and Lows

We’ve got a great topic to chat about at your next holiday gathering with girlfriends. What were your highs and lows of the year, personally and professionally? Did you overcome an obstacle?...

December 14, 2022

EP616 – Humility

Zig Ziglar once said, “Humility will open more doors than arrogance ever will.” Humility is an essential quality for authentic leaders legal.