Senator Derrick T. Simmons

 

Senator Derrick T. Simmons is a trial lawyer, former municipal court judge, adjunct college professor, and Mississippi State Senator.  Senator Simmons is self-employed as the co-founder/co-owner of Simmons & Simmons, PLLC, Attorneys at Law in Greenville, Mississippi, (www.simmonspllc.com), which he established along with his twin brother, Councilman and Attorney Errick D. Simmons.  Licensed to practice law in Mississippi and the District of Columbia, Senator Simmons is a proud product of Greenville Public Schools and supports HBCUs where he received his bachelor, masters, and law degree from Jackson State University, Howard Business School, and Howard University School of Law, respectively.

In more detail, Senator Simmons’ educational background and experiences include matriculating through Greenville Public Schools where he graduated first in his class at T. L. Weston High School in 1995.  He later studied at Jackson State University, where he received a Bachelor in Business Administration in Accounting in 2000 where he finished first in the business school.  In 2002, Senator Simmons received a Masters in Business Administration in Finance from Howard University College of Business where he finished first in his MBA class.  In 2005, Senator Simmons graduated from Howard University School of Law (HUSL) where he received his Juris Doctorate degree.  Senator Simmons was a member of the nationally-acclaimed HUSL Huver I. Brown Trial Advocacy Mock Trial Team that defeated two-time reigning champion Harvard Law School to become the first historically black law school to win the American Bar Association International Mock Trial Competition.  Senator Simmons has been featured in several publications, including but not limited to, Jet Magazine, Dallas Examiner, Chicago Defender, Diversity and the Bar and congratulated in the United States House of Representatives for this honor.

With degrees concentrating in accounting, finance, and law, Senator Simmons returned home in 2005 to the Mississippi Delta to unselfishly give his talents and passion to serve others.  In 2008, his law firm, Simmons & Simmons, Attorneys-at-Law, was formed to be the voice for the voiceless, represent the misrepresented and unrepresented, and to fight for justice and equality for all.  In 2009, Derrick became the municipal court judge for the Town of Sunflower, Mississippi where he held that post until March 1, 2011.   Concurrently, Senator Simmons served as municipal court judge for Moorhead, Mississippi until March 1, 2011.  Senator Simmons also served as the youngest school board member and former secretary on Greenville Public School District Board of Trustees.  As an academician, Senator Simmons has taught as an adjunct professor since 2007 at Mississippi Valley State University where he taught undergraduate and graduate courses – business law, personal finance, and marketing – in the college of professional studies.

On March 1, 2011, Senator Simmons was elected to the Mississippi Senate.  He serves as Chairman of the Enrolled Bills Committee.  Senator Simmons is a member of the following committees: Compilations, Revisions, and Publications Committee, Corrections, Finance, Insurance, Judiciary A, Judiciary B, Labor, and Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.

As a lawyer and legislator, Senator Simmons has received state and national recognitions and awards highlighting his aggressive advocacy and dedicated public service.  
As a lawyer, Senator Simmons’ successful handling of cases involving personal injury, corporate law, family law, juvenile justice, and criminal defense has afforded him national recognition in 2012.  The National Bar Association and IMPACT named him as one of the "Nation’s Best Advocates: Top 40 Lawyers Under 40" for achieving prominence and distinction in the African-American legal community, both professionally and philanthropically.

As a legislator, in 2012, Senator Simmons was awarded the “Government Service Award” by the Magnolia Bar Association.  In 2013, he was named by the Mississippi Association for Justice as “Legislator of the Year” for his outstanding dedication to the people of Mississippi by promoting fair and open access to the judicial system through the legislative process. In 2014, the National Juvenile Justice Network and the Southern Poverty Law Center of Mississippi presented him with the 2014 Leadership Award in Juvenile Justice Reform.

In service as a trial attorney, former judge, businessman, community leader, motivational speaker, public servant, and man of God, Senator Simmons has an innate personal commitment to serve his fellow man by contributing back to his community.  Senator Simmons contributes back to his community as the annual Sponsor of Simmons and Simmons (S&S) Little League Sluggers and the Armstrong Elementary School Basketball Team.

Senator Simmons also devotes his time to participate in other community and organizational endeavors, as well as serving on corporate boards.  Senator Simmons participates annually in his city’s campaign to “Keep Greenville Beautiful” by picking up trash with local churches and community members throughout the spring and summer months.  Senator Simmons is a mentor of WWISCAA Youth Mentor Program, Board Member of United Way of Washington County, Board Member of Delta Center Stage; Alumnus of Mississippi Economic Council’s Leadership Mississippi Class of 2009; Greenville Rotary Club; Mississippi Bar Association; Magnolia Bar Association; American Bar Association; America Association of Justice; Mississippi Association of Justice; National Bar Association, District of Columbia Bar; Beta Gamma Sigma National Honor Society; and, mason.

Senator Simmons is also a proud Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.  
He is a member of the Greater Springfield Missionary Baptist Church in Greenville, Mississippi where Mark Buckner is pastor.  He is married to Mrs. CuWanda Flowers Simmons and they have a son, Derrick, Jr. (“DJ”).

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