Jim Simpson’s career is a masterclass in purpose-driven legal advocacy. From the sandstone walls of St Andrew’s College in 1971 to the halls of Parliament and grassroots legal centres, his journey has been shaped by an unwavering commitment to social justice and reform. With academic credentials spanning a combined Bachelor of Law/Arts from the University of Sydney, a Master of Laws from the University of London, and a Graduate Certificate in Dispute Resolution from the University of Technology, Sydney, Jim built a formidable foundation – but it was his volunteer work at Redfern Legal Council that truly set the course for his life’s work.
In 1986, he co-founded the Intellectual Disability Rights Service, sparking what would become decades of groundbreaking policy work. At the Council for Intellectual Disability, Simpson became a vital voice on the national stage, advocating for those too often overlooked in legal and health systems. Recognised in 2025 as an Officer of the Order of Australia, he remains a quiet force for thoughtful, lasting reform. Beyond the boardroom, his life is marked by simple joys: family, long walks, swimming – and an enduring passion for cricket.
What made you choose to come to St Andrew’s College? What was it about Andrew’s appealed to you in the 1970s?
My dad had attended St Andrew’s College and loved it in the 1930s, and my brother was there two years ahead of me. I loved my five years at Andrew’s with its strong camaraderie and the close friendships that I formed – some lifelong. I involved myself intensively in College life and enjoyed it very much. However, in retrospect, a single sex college was a somewhat narrow experience. St Andrew’s is a much more complete community now that it is co-residential.
How do you feel your time at St Andrew’s influenced your post-college life?
It equipped me well for mainstream legal practice, though perhaps at the expense of thinking more broadly about my career.
After your undergraduate degree in Arts and Law, you continued your learning with a Master of Laws from the University of London and a Graduate Certificate in Dispute Resolution from UTS. Can you share with us why you decided to further your education? Do you have any advice for students currently looking to continue study post-graduation?
I went off to London partly to extend my legal qualifications and partly to experience a year in London and backpacking around Europe. I did the dispute resolution course much later, having learnt lots about the limitations of adversarial legal processes.
You started your law career as a Solicitor at Vickery, Wilson and Parkhill when you graduated from university. What area within the industry did you focus on? What’s one piece of advice you wish you’d been given when you started out?
VWP was a small but strong city firm, and I did a wide range of work there, particularly conveyancing and litigation for large corporations. I became a partner and gained an excellent foundation for a legal career. However, as with some jobs, I wasn’t particularly enjoying a lot of the work I was doing.
After Vickery, Wilson and Parkhill you founded and moved to the Intellectual Disability Rights Service as Principal Solicitor. What prompted this move?
Like many young city lawyers, I volunteered once a week in the evening at Redfern Legal Centre. This opened my eyes to the extreme disadvantage so many people face in the legal system here in Australia.
Almost by chance, a few of us became intensively interested in the law as it affected people with intellectual disability – a virtually untouched field at the time. People with intellectual disability were not seen as bearers of rights, and a great deal of abuse, exploitation, and neglect went unrecognised or ignored.
In 1986, we obtained government funding to set up the Intellectual Disability Rights Service. I moved across to become Principal Solicitor there. I am delighted to say that nearly 40 years on, IDRS continues to thrive!
Since 2001, you have been a key member of the Council for Intellectual Disability as a Senior Advocate. Can you share with us what you do in this role? Is there a specific area that you enjoy focusing on?
My primary responsibilities at the Council for Intellectual Disability (CID) has been leading advocacy for reform on key issues affecting people with intellectual disability, in particular health inequalities and overrepresentation in the criminal justice system. We have achieved some valuable gains over the last 20 years, including a national roadmap and centre of excellence to improve the health of people with intellectual disability, and pathways to disability support rather than prison for people who get into trouble with the law.
I have learnt a great deal about successful advocacy with the bureaucracy and ministers and mounting public campaigns, often in collaboration with leading researchers.
What guidance would you offer to those aspiring to become lawyers/solicitors?
Don’t assume the obvious career path is the right one for you. Expose yourself to a range of possible pathways and hopefully find one that you feel passionate about!
You were recently awarded The Officer of the Order of Australia at the 2025 Australia Day Awards. Congratulations! What does it feel like to receive this honour and acknowledgement for your work?
A mixture of thrill and embarrassment. It is great to have the kind of work I do, and how I do it, recognised. However, I am not a person who enjoys the public spotlight.
What advice can you offer to students wishing to get involved with charity and volunteer work while also working on their careers?
It is a great way to contribute to the community and to broaden your outlook on life.
What do you do outside of work? Do you have a favourite hobby? How do you unwind and switch off?
I enjoy my family life, spending time with my wife and two adult daughters. I do lots of walking, swimming and reading. I watch lots of sport – especially cricket – I would love to have been good enough to play Rawson Cup cricket!
What’s next? What are you working towards, and what do you hope to achieve in the coming years?
I am 72, but fortunate to be fit and with lots of mental energy. I continue to love my advocacy work, but am gradually reducing my hours.