Front row, from left: Jack L. White, Kathryn Barber, Grace Greene Simmons, John Adams.
Back row, from left: John Moran, Jonathan Ellis, Matt Fitzgerald, Brian Schmalzbach, Michael Francisco.
McGuireWoods continues the growth of its national appellate practice with the arrival of Grace Greene Simmons, who joins the firm after clerking for Chief Justice of the United States John G. Roberts Jr.
Simmons represents clients in investigations and litigation, including appellate matters. Before joining McGuireWoods in Washington, D.C., she clerked at every level of the federal judiciary. In addition to her recent clerkship with Chief Justice Roberts, she clerked for Judge Stephanos Bibas of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit and Judge Gene E.K. Pratter of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Simmons graduated first in her class from the University of Pennsylvania Carey School of Law. She served as an articles editor on the University of Pennsylvania Law Review and worked as a Littleton Fellow, teaching first-year law students legal research and writing.
Simmons is one of 10 former U.S. Supreme Court clerks in McGuireWoods’ appeals and issues practice, recognized nationally for achieving critical victories in high-stakes cases, helping clients reverse losses and defend significant wins, and providing critical guidance on clients’ most difficult legal issues wherever they arise. In addition to Simmons, McGuireWoods partners John Adams, Kathryn Barber, Jonathan Ellis, Matt Fitzgerald, Michael Francisco, Benjamin Hatch, John Moran, Brian Schmalzbach and Jack L. White served as high court law clerks.
“The experience and insight Grace gained as a U.S. Supreme Court law clerk and at other levels of the federal judiciary have enormous benefits for clients and our growing appeals and issues practice,” said Ellis, a co-leader of McGuireWoods’ nationally recognized appellate practice who also clerked for Chief Justice Roberts.
The firm’s appellate lawyers also include national lead appellate counsel for a Fortune 100 company, a former assistant to the U.S. solicitor general, two former White House counsel, and former law clerks from state and federal appeals courts.
“Clerking for Chief Justice Roberts was the opportunity of a lifetime, and I am excited to begin a new chapter with McGuireWoods’ exceptional appellate practice,” Simmons said.
Note: Simmons is not admitted in the District of Columbia. She is a member of the Pennsylvania bar and has applied for admission to the D.C. bar. While she awaits admission, she is practicing under the direct supervision of an enrolled, active D.C. bar member.