Paul E. Simon
- Washington, DC
- psimon@cohenseglias.com
- 202.587.4751
- Represented a former university president in a high-profile research misconduct investigation, resulting in a determination that no findings could be made.
- Persuaded the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) not to take action against a department chair by identifying flaws in the institution’s plagiarism findings and a conflict of interest.
- Advised a professor in a research misconduct inquiry involving 15 publications, successfully arguing that the majority of the questioned works did not meet the threshold for retraction.
- Secured an early dismissal of misconduct allegations against a Principal Investigator and Director at a national research institution at the inquiry stage.
- Represented two professors in a university-led inquiry, resulting in dismissal of the allegations and assisting in the transfer of federal research funding.
- Advised a Ph.D. student during the preliminary review of misconduct allegations, leading to the closure of the matter before a formal inquiry was opened.
- Negotiated a resolution for a professor following an institutional investigation and subsequent agency review, allowing the client to continue their academic work without interruption.
- Defended a postdoctoral researcher at a private medical school, obtaining closure of the matter at the inquiry stage and preserving the client’s academic trajectory.
As part of the firm’s Research Misconduct Group, Paul represents both institutions and individual scientists, faculty, and academic leaders in high-stakes matters involving allegations of plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, and other forms of academic misconduct. He regularly advises clients through institutional investigations and inquiries—often involving federally funded research—and has successfully resolved matters at leading public and private universities across the country.
Paul works closely with Paul Thaler and plays a significant role in many of the Group’s complex matters. He has guided clients through inquiries and investigations involving federal agencies, including the Office of Research Integrity (ORI), and has helped resolve matters at both public and private research institutions. Paul was promoted to partner in 2025 in recognition of his contributions to the firm and his work on high-stakes academic misconduct cases.
In addition to his research misconduct practice, Paul has experience in a broad range of civil and criminal litigation, including white collar investigations and internal reviews. Before joining Cohen Seglias, he worked at both a large international law firm and a litigation boutique, where he assisted in the representation of clients in the medical device, defense, oil and gas, financial services, and telecommunications industries.
- American University Washington College of Law, J.D.
- Sarah Lawrence College, B.A.
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
