Jonathan D. Simon

Associate

Jonathan Simon’s practice focuses on representing clients before the courts, Congress, and federal agencies on a broad range of matters involving natural resources, public lands, and energy law.

Among other areas, Mr. Simon provides legal and strategic guidance and counsel with regard to the development of energy infrastructure projects.  He assists clients throughout the process of obtaining and defending special use permits, right-of-way grants, and other use authorizations needed to construct natural gas pipelines and electric transmission facilities across federal and state lands.  He currently is involved in representing clients on various projects, including the Alaska natural gas pipeline. 

Mr. Simon also works with entities that operate or are interested in operating visitor services — such as lodging, food services, boat tours, merchandising, transportation-related services, and outfitter and guide services — under concession contracts, permits, or commercial use authorizations in the National Park System.  Success in these matters requires navigating highly specialized legal and strategic business issues and working in partnership with the National Park Service.  Mr. Simon offers a wide range of experience in this area, including preparing, and providing strategic advice relating to, responses to prospectuses for new or renewed contracts; counseling on sales and transfers of concession contracts; legislative and administrative advocacy; and litigation.

In addition, Mr. Simon advises clients on compliance with the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 and other laws and other authorities governing lobbying and political activity, including lobbying disclosure, campaign finance, and congressional gift and travel rules.

Professional Background

Prior to joining Van Ness Feldman, Mr. Simon served in various roles on the personal staff of United States Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ). He received a B.A. in Economics from Cornell University in 1992 and a J.D. with honors in 1998 from the George Washington University Law School, where he served as Articles Editor of The George Washington Law Review.

Government Service

• Legal Intern, Office of the Solicitor, Land and Water Resources Division, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1997
• Special Projects Assistant/ Legislative Assistant, Senator Frank Lautenberg, (D-NJ), U.S. Senate, 1995
• Special Research Assistant/ Legislative Correspondent, Senator Frank Lautenberg, (D-NJ), U.S. Senate, 1993-1994

Professional and Civic Affiliations

• American Bar Association (Since 2005, he has served as a Vice Chair of the Public Land and Resources Committee of the Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources)
• Energy Bar Association

Publications

“Hydroelectric Regulation Under the Federal Power Act,” Waters and Water Rights (2004).

“Hydroelectric Power,” Energy Law and Transactions (2003).

Articles

• Colorado River Management Plan Update
• Colorado River Management Plan Update