Family, faith, community, fairness and hard work – these are the values that shaped Simon as he grew up in South Minneapolis and Richfield with his brother Byron and his father Daniel, a graphic artist and printing-press worker, and his mother Margarita, a small business owner and teacher.

Daniel is a second generation Richfielder, and Margarita came to Minnesota from Puerto Rico to attend school.

In addition to building successful careers, his parents volunteered in the community, including in local prisons, and always had an open door - Simon remembers there almost always being someone living with them; whoever needed a place.

After high school Simon worked at Yellowstone National Park where he met Jennifer Melendez, who he later married. They now live in Richfield, with their two sons and Simon’s father.

After graduating from North Central University, Simon worked in China where he taught and helped establish an international school that continues to thrive today. While there, he learned to speak Mandarin.

In 2008 Simon graduated from the University of St. Thomas School of Law and started his own practice focused on nonprofit and small business law. When his cousin, also an attorney, died of suicide, he decided to build a practice that prioritized attorney mental health. By approaching his work in a way that aligns with his values and goals, in combination with hard work and management skills, he was able to build a thriving practice of 7 attorneys, Trautmann Martin Law.

Both within and outside of his law practice, Simon is a community leader who doesn’t just “reach out” to or “engage” with people, but walks alongside them in their struggles.

When Somali-Minnesotan community members asked for help establishing a nonprofit, he not only represented them, but led a trip to Somalia as a volunteer to bring attention to the famine there, building bridges between Minnesota faith communities and Somalis and bringing needed aid to the country.

In the wake of the murder of George Floyd,  Simon was asked to lead preparations of the funeral with the National Action Network and North Central University during the pandemic lockdown and civil unrest. As a result of the funeral, he subsequently worked with the university to enter a process of reckoning, repair and reconciliation that is translating into a historic realignment of university scholarship resources and institutional priorities.

Simon is a second term Richfield City Council member where he has initiated criminal justice reforms, such as making criminal records expungement (sealing) part of the plea agreement process when appropriate, and leading a wage theft working group.

He serves on the boards of Crossing Home which provides housing and employment for people leaving treatment and prison, and the Minnesota Justice Coalition which advocates for urgent changes in the criminal justice system through legislative reform, and meeting the needs of families who are victims of police violence.

He is also a member of the North Central University Alumni Board, a board member of the Richfield Foundation, and a volunteer leader in his church.      

Simon’s mother died due to COVID-19 in 2020. That loss, and the experience of working with the family of George Floyd, made him reflect on how he wants to continue to serve his community.

After consulting with many community members, he came to the conclusion that serving as Hennepin County’s next County Attorney is where his skills and passion can be of the most value to others. Simon is compassionate and driven, and does not shrink in the face of conflict.

He is a leader who brings people together, and will help our community to reckon with the past harms of our justice system, while bringing about changes that will allow for a future of peace through justice.