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Kim L. Simmons

Chair of Board Artist and Community Advocate

Kim is a visual artist and attorney. She currently serves as a Charleston, S.C. mayoral commission appointee and community coordinator and liaison on flooding and development in one of the nation’s most vulnerable watersheds. For over twenty years, Kim’s pro bono work has been focused on underserved communities and women’s health, with a particular focus on developing and improving board governance for non-profits that expand services to communities that often face barriers to aid.

Prior to her current career and community role, Kim spent over a decade in legal practice where she was well recognized and respected for her legal skills. She graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law where she served as an editor and on the managing board of the UVA Law Review. Kim completed two federal clerkships, first for Judge Graham in the Southern District of Florida followed by Judge Keith on the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Thereafter, Kim earned a highly coveted trial attorney position through the Attorney General’s Honor Program in the Environment Division at the United States Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. where she successfully defended and prosecuted cases brought under the major federal environmental laws.

Three years into her tenure at DOJ, then Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder hired Kim as counsel on civil rights, public corruption, and departmental diversity matters. In her role as counsel, Kim served on the committee led by the Deputy Attorney General to respond to the President’s call to action to increase access to legal services in underserved communities. After entering private practice at Sidley Austin and inspired to continue assisting the important legal access work begun at DOJ, Kim helped found LFOA, and has been honored to serve on the board of directors since its inception.