John Simms is an associate attorney at English, Lucas, Priest & Owsley, LLP, advising individuals and corporate clients across Bowling Green and South Central Kentucky. John brings strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills to ELPO Law. He previously gained firsthand experience with the firm’s clients and practice areas as a summer law clerk in 2025.
Prior to joining the firm full-time, John gained valuable legal experience across multiple facets of the justice system. He served as a Student Attorney with the University of Kentucky Legal Clinic, a Judicial Intern for Fayette Circuit Court Judge Lucy VanMeter, and a Legal Intern with the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy in Danville.
John graduated cum laude from the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law in May 2026. During law school, he served as Production Editor for Volume 114 of the Kentucky Law Journal, where he was named Best Editorial Board Member, chaired the Style Guide Committee, and authored the published note, “Exposing Car Dealerships’ Final Hidden Sales Con: A Call for the Disclosure of Interest Rate Markups When ‘Helping’ Buyers with Indirect Financing”. He was also recognized with the CALI Award for Highest Grade in Patent Law and served as a 1L Student Mentor.
Prior to law school, Simms graduated magna cum laude from Centre College in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics & Finance and a Bachelor of Arts in History. At Centre, he was a James T. Fleming Memorial Scholar, served as President of the Interfraternity Council, and participated in study abroad programs in Europe and North Africa.
In his free time, John enjoys following Kentucky athletics, traveling, spending time outdoors, and playing golf. John and his fiancée, Kaylee, reside in Bowling Green with their two dogs.
