Simon Tam
Keynote Speaker | Author | Supreme Court Advocate | First Amendment & IP Law The Slants
- Portland OR
Central figure in Matal v. Tam — the unanimous Supreme Court decision that redefined First Amendment rights in trademark law.
Social
Biography
Simon is a sought-after keynote speaker for law schools, bar associations, IP conferences, colleges and universities, independent schools, and civic engagement organizations. His presentations are approved for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits and have been featured at INTA, SXSW, Stanford University, the Department of Defense, and hundreds of institutions across four continents. Described as "Broadway meets TED Talk," his keynotes combine live music with storytelling to bring constitutional law to life for audiences at every level.
His memoir, Slanted: How an Asian American Troublemaker Took on the Supreme Court, is an Independent Publisher Award winner and is taught in law schools, universities, and high school civics classes across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. His story is documented in over 250 published books. He holds a world record for TEDx stage appearances and was named to Forbes' list of "TEDx Talks Well Worth Watching."
Simon has filed amicus curiae briefs in Iancu v. Brunetti (U.S. Supreme Court, 2019), Gilliam v. Tennessee (2025), and other First Amendment cases, and continues to advocate for free expression rights beyond his own landmark ruling.
Industry Expertise
Areas of Expertise
Accomplishments
Featured in Over 250 Published Books
2025-12-01
Story documented across constitutional law, IP law, Asian American studies, music business, and civics curricula worldwide.
Independent Publisher Award
2020-05-07
Memoir (Slanted: How an Asian American Troublemaker Took on the Supreme Court) recognized as an outstanding work documenting the Matal v. Tam case and its constitutional significance.
ABA Mark T. Banner Award
2018-04-19
Awarded by the American Bar Association for significant contributions to intellectual property law.
Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Award
2018-05-15
Recognized for outstanding contributions to First Amendment rights and civil liberties in the United States.
Matal v. Tam — Unanimous U.S. Supreme Court Victory
2017-06-19
Won a landmark First Amendment case against the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, establishing new constitutional protections for free expression in trademark law. Now taught in law schools and universities across the country.
Education
Marylhurst University
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)
Marketing
Received Distinguished Alumni Award (2013)
Dual concentration: marketing and non-profit management.
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science
Business Management
2008
University of California, Riverside
Bachelor of Arts
Religious Studies & Philosophy
2003
Affiliations
- The Slants Foundation
- American Bar Association
- The Slants
- Marylhurst University
- American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers
- National Association for Campus Activities
- American Mensa
Links
Languages
- English
- Spanish
- Mandarin
Testimonials
Director
https://www.uspto.govUnited States Patent & Trademark Office
“Of note is Tam’s effort to register ‘The Slants’…in an effort to reclaim a piece of cultural heritage for his group and drain the slur of its ‘denigrating force.’”
Professor of Law & Media
http://www.interactcom.comNortheastern University School of Law
"This presentation of stories and songs will have you on the edge of your seat."
Professor of Global Studies
http://www.willamette.eduWillamette University
"Out of all the presentations I've seen in 26 years at Willamette, that was definitely one of the very best. [This] story is incredibly important and inspirational."
Media Appearances
The Right to Offend Yourself
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah tv
2017-06-21
Trevor Noah’s Daily Show is at its best when it leans on its fieldpieces from its senior correspondents, and, on Tuesday night, Ronny Chieng’s piece on a racially-charged Supreme Court case was proof of that.
Asian-American band 'The Slants' takes trademark battle to the Supreme Court
NBC Nightly News tv
2017-01-18
Members of this Portland dance rock band wanted a name that would turn a racial slur into a badge of defiance, so they called themselves “The Slants.”
Inside Asian-American Band the Slants' SCOTUS Win
Rolling Stone print
2017-06-20
Multiple-page spread, feature, and interview with Simon Tam
Why the Slants Took a Fight Over Their Band Name to the Supreme Court
New York Times print
2017-06-19
Front page story on Simon Tam and his band, The Slants, over their Supreme Court case.
“It’s a win for all marginalized groups…The First Amendment protects speech even that we disagree with.”
The Slants: Asian-American band who took the fight for their name to the US Supreme Court
South Morning China Post print
2019-03-24
When ‘Chinatown dance rock’ group tried to trademark their name, little did they know it would begin a years-long legal battle. 'Art is a form of activism’ says founder and bass player Simon Tam, who uses music to champion the overlooked and under-represented
“The Slants” Suit: Asian-American Band Goes to Court Over Name
TIME print
2013-10-23
Interview/feature with TIME Magazine
An Asian-American Musician's Five-Year Battle to Get His 'Offensive' Band Name Trademarked
VICE online
2015-08-19
Exclusive feature with VICE Magazine
‘The Slants’ music group battles the US for its name
AlJazeera America tv
2015-10-26
Feature on AlJazeera America, broadcasted in over 60 million homes
Event Appearances
2024 Civic Learning & Democratic Engagement Keynote
National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Detroit, MI
2024-06-05
State Bar of Texas Keynote
State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting Houston, TX
2022-07-06
Operation Gratitude
Department of Defense & NATO Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Kosovo
2011-12-29
Slanted: How an Asian American Troublemaker Took on the Supreme Court
The NAIS People of Color Conference St. Louis, MO
2023-10-11
Redefining What's Offensive
SXSW Austin, TX
2019-03-12
The Redskins and The Slants: A Review of the Causes, the Cases and How the First Amendment is Likely to Impact Trademark Registrations Going Forward
INTA 2018 Seattle, WA
2018-05-21
The Innovation of Immigrants
TEDxFront Range Front Range, CO
2015-06-13
How to Get a TED Talk
TEDxColorado Springs Colorado Springs, CO
2015-10-17
Sample Talks
Slanted: How an Asian American Troublemaker Took on the Supreme Court
In this musical storytelling keynote presentation , Simon Tam shares a story of persistence, identity, and creativity.
Slanted is the story of an indomitable spirit who so believes in the idea of justice that he's willing to risk everything along the way for the dignity of self-identity. The story provides a raw look at our legal system with unflinching honesty and offers timely insights on freedom of speech, how to connect with others we disagree with, and the power of music.
Gripping, funny, enlightening, and ultimately uplifting, Slanted proves that no obstacle is too difficult to conquer --as long as you have a little heart and a lot of rock n' roll. It's an irrepressible story that is fresh, alive, and defines what it means to be American.
Style
Availability
- Keynote
- Moderator
- Panelist
- Workshop Leader
- Author Appearance
- Corporate Training
Fees
Courses
Teaching Matal v. Tam — Educational Resources for Educators
Free teaching resources are available for educators incorporating Matal v. Tam into their curriculum. Materials include a plain-language case summary, discussion questions organized by level (high school through law school), and suggested reading and viewing. Simon is also available for classroom visits, law school symposia, and campus keynotes. CLE credits available for legal audiences.
Articles
The Slants on the Power of Repurposing a Slur
The New York TimesSimon Tam
2017-06-23
Simon Tam's Op-Ed in the New York Times
What The Slants’ First Amendment Case at the Supreme Court Actually Won
Oxford AcademicSimon Tam
2020-07-09
This is a first-person account of the First Amendment case that rocked the nation. Much has been written about The Slants’ trademark case, which was decided at the Supreme Court, from NPR to Rolling Stone, but nearly everything published focused on the Washington Football team’s name and fear about a floodgate of hate speech. This article provides the argument for freedom of expression using an equity lens, moving it from abstract legal theory to a personal account of what the legal system and its procedures are actually like for those who wish to create social change.
Published in The Oxford Handbook of Music Law and Policy
First Amendment, Trademarks, and "The Slants": Our Journey to First Amendment, Trademarks, and "The Slants": Our Journey to the Supreme Court the Supreme Court
Buffalo Intellectual Property Law JournalSimon Tam
2018-01-01
Law review article by Simon Tam, published by The University at Buffalo School of Law
