Birmingham Attorney to Succeed England on UA Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama System has selected attorney Ken Simon to replace long-time Trustee John H. England, Jr., who was first elected to the board in 1998.

England was one of the first Black people admitted to UA's School of Law, where he earned his degree in 1974. He has served on the Board of Trustees overseeing UA's campuses in Tuscaloosa, Birmingham and Huntsville for 23 years.

In that time, the System and especially the Tuscaloosa campus have undergone a period of unprecedented growth in student population, academic prestige and athletic performance.

Get our free mobile app

England will now switch roles and become a Trustee Emeritus, where he will continue some of his old responsibilities, including continuing to chair the working group tasked with reviewing the names of structures, buildings and spaces on all three campuses to ensure they continue to line up with the Board's shared values.

“The University of Alabama System has benefitted greatly from Judge England’s sound judgment, integrity and enduring passion for our students, faculty, staff and the citizens of Alabama,” said UA System Chancellor Finis St. John. “On behalf of the entire System, I thank Judge England for his distinguished leadership and inspiring service and welcome newly elected Trustee Ken Simon.”

Like England, Simon is a graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law alumnus and has spent more than four decades as a judge, litigator and mediator.

The Mobile native has worked with the U.S. Securities & Exchanges Commission, served as a circuit judge in Jefferson County and led a private practice in Birmingham.

“Ken Simon’s great character, vast knowledge, and meaningful experience make him an exceptional fit to serve on the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees,” said Trustee Karen Brooks, chair of the Nominating Committee. “I was honored to nominate him to represent the Seventh Congressional District and look forward to working with him.”