Simon Tam is an author, First Amendment advocate, and the Director of Communications at I-MAK. He is best known for winning a landmark case at the U.S. Supreme Court in 2017, Matal v. Tam, a unanimous decision that struck down the Lanham Act’s disparagement clause and reshaped the relationship between trademark law and free speech in the United States. As the founder of The Slants and The Slants Foundation, he brings extensive experience in strategic messaging, policy development, and civic engagement to the forefront of advocacy and social impact.
Simon is also a respected voice in intellectual property law, having published on the subject in the American Bar Association Journal, the Oxford Handbook series, and the Buffalo Intellectual Property Law Journal. His work has been featured in outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone, BBC World News, and The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, and his legal insights have made him a sought-after keynote speaker at global conferences including South by Southwest (SXSW), the International Trademark Association (INTA), and the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI) World Congress.
His contributions to law and civil liberties have earned numerous accolades, including the Mark T. Banner Award from the American Bar Association, the Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Award, and the Ovation Lifetime Achievement Award. His memoir, Slanted: How an Asian American Troublemaker Took on the Supreme Court, was named “One of the Best Books on the Constitution of All Time” by BookAuthority and an Editor’s Choice by The Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post. Exhibits featuring his work are on display at the National Constitution Center, the First Amendment Museum, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.