Derrick Simmons – Invisible Giants

Derrick Simmons

Derrick Simmons was recently selected by the Mary S. Nelums Foundation as an Invisible Giant. The “invisible giant” designation was created to give voice and recognition to young African-American men who are making a positive difference in their community. Their community work is consistent with social work values. 

• Trial lawyer, judge, and academician
• Co-founder/co-owner of  Simmons & Simmons, PLLC, Attorneys at Law
• Member of the national-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
• Member of the Greenville Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc

 In 2009, Derrick became the municipal court judge for the Town of Sunflower, Mississippi. As a municipal court judge, Derrick adjudicates traffic infractions, misdemeanor matters, sets felony bonds, and conducts a preliminary hearing on felony cases.  Derrick also…

• Serves as the youngest school board member on Greenville Public School District
• Adjunct professor since 2007 at Mississippi Valley State University where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses – business law, personal finance, and  marketing – in the college of professional studies
  • Volunteers his time in the legal community serving as guardian ad litem and youth court public defender for the Youth Court of Washington County
    • Engages in public speaking to youth, donates plentifully to charitable causes, and sponsors an annual Christmas  Toy Give-a-way, providing toys to nearly 300 needy kids in his area
      • Contributes financially to both Jackson State University and Howard University School of Law
    • Devotes his time to participate in a number of community and service organizations, such as
  • “Keep Greenville Beautiful”
  • Youth Mentor of WWISCAA Mentor Program
  • Board Member of United Way of Washington County Board Member of Delta Center Stage
  • Member of Greenville Public School Board of Trustees
  • Mississippi Leadership 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