Simon Law To Host “Courtroom Combat” Trial Clinic with Top St. Louis Trial Lawyers

St. Louis, MO — Simon Law will bring together prominent trial attorneys for “Courtroom Combat” at St. Louis University School of Law in a dynamic courtroom demonstration designed to educate and inspire law students and young lawyers.

The event is a live mock trial based on Avila v. Nita City Hospital, a complex medical malpractice case involving allegations of delayed diagnosis and treatment of a severe bacterial infection in a 2-year-old child, resulting in permanent hearing loss.

The attorneys will present opening statements, examine witnesses, introduce evidence, and deliver closing arguments in a realistic courtroom setting.

The “Plaintiff” will be represented by Matt Padberg, Rachel Roman, John Simon and Tim Cronin.

• Matthew J. Padberg is a trial attorney with more than 40 years of experience representing individuals and families in personal injury, medical malpractice, aviation law, workers’ compensation, and wrongful death cases, recognized with numerous honors including the Lon O. Hocker Trial Lawyer Award, fellowship in the American College of Trial Lawyers, and service as an adjunct law professor.
• John Simon is a nationally recognized trial attorney and founder of Simon Law, celebrated for achieving record-setting verdicts and multi-million-dollar settlements in plaintiff’s litigation across personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and class action cases, while driving industry reform, mentoring future lawyers as an adjunct professor, and championing charitable and community initiatives.
• Tim Cronin is an award-winning trial lawyer specializing in medical malpractice, product liability, and catastrophic personal injury cases, renowned for securing landmark verdicts exceeding $800 million that drive systemic reforms in healthcare and industry practices, while mentoring future lawyers as an adjunct professor.
• Rachel Roman is a partner at Roman + Boock Injury Attorneys. She is a former emergency room nurse turned personal injury attorney whose 20-year career is defined by her medical knowledge, integrity, and advocacy for clients facing medical malpractice and birth injury cases.

The “Defendants” will be presented by Debbie Champion, Tim Gearin, Jim Gottschalk, Halle Dimar and Colleen Kinsey.

• Debbie Champion is a founding partner of Rynearson, Suess, Schnurbusch & Champion, a highly respected trial lawyer with more than 160 verdicts, recognized nationally for her expertise in personal injury defense, insurance law, and ethics, and honored for her legal excellence and pro bono and community service.
• Tim Gearin is a highly respected Midwest trial lawyer and former intensive care nurse whose nearly 30-year legal career included more than 100 jury trials in medical malpractice, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death cases, earning him induction into the American College of Trial Lawyers and a legacy of top-ranked verdicts in Missouri.
• Jim Gottschalk is a seasoned trial lawyer with over 30 years of experience handling more than 60 civil trials across Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas in areas including employment, medical malpractice, product liability, and wrongful death, and also serves as a mediator on the Lexitas Neutrals panel.
• Halle Dimar is a litigation attorney at Armstrong Teasdale specializing in defending healthcare providers and pharmacies, advising on HIPAA compliance, risk management, and regulatory issues, and frequently educating medical professionals on best practices.
• Colleen Kinsey is a senior associate in Armstrong Teasdale’s Litigation group who represents healthcare providers and businesses in medical malpractice, professional liability, commercial litigation, and consumer fraud matters, while advising on regulatory compliance and managing all phases of complex litigation.

St. Louis County Judge John Borbonus has agreed to serve as the judge for the event. Judge Borbonus, appointed Associate Circuit Judge in 2011 and Circuit Judge in 2018, is a former Assistant Attorney General and civil litigation attorney with expertise in real estate, civil rights, insurance defense, and employment law.

The jury room will be livestreamed for participants to hear deliberations as they unfold in real time.

The attorneys will work from a comprehensive case file that includes a detailed case summary, depositions, expert reports, exhibits, stipulations, jury instructions, and a verdict form.

Courtroom Combat is designed to provide law students and attorneys with an up-close look at trial strategy, courtroom presentation, and effective advocacy in high-stakes litigation. By showcasing seasoned litigators in action, the program offers invaluable insight into case preparation, witness examination, and persuasive storytelling before a jury.

The event underscores Simon Law’s dedication to mentoring the next generation of trial lawyers.

To register for the event, visit https://thesimonlawfirmpc.formstack.com/forms/courtroom_combat