Available to book
Achieve meaningful cultural change with Simon Tam, civil liberties advocate and musician. Simon connects law, art, and activism to help organisations rethink identity, inclusion, and creative expression. Award-winning author featured at the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame and National Constitution Center who has received standing ovations across four continents.
Simon Tam is an author, musician, and civil rights advocate whose work sits at the intersection of creative expression, law, and social justice. His ability to bridge these worlds makes him one of the most compelling voices on free speech and identity in America today.
Simon won the unanimous Supreme Court case Matal v. Tam in 2017, reshaping trademark law and strengthening First Amendment protections. His memoir, Slanted: How an Asian American Troublemaker Took on the Supreme Court, won Best Autobiography/Memoir from the Independent Publisher Book Awards and was named one of the best books on the Constitution of all time by BookAuthority.
As the founder and bassist of The Slants, one of the first all-Asian American rock bands, and founder of The Slants Foundation, he has helped generate millions in philanthropic investment and passed bipartisan legislation in multiple states. His work has been featured in over 3,500 media outlets, documented in more than 200 books, and exhibited at the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame, the National Constitution Center, and the First Amendment Museum.
Simon holds a world record for TEDx appearances, has delivered keynote talks at global platforms including TEDx, SXSW, and Comic-Con, and regularly advises major organisations and policymakers on intellectual property, creative rights, and cultural equity. Audiences leave his sessions with a clear understanding of how legal systems shape creative freedom, practical strategies for turning activism into measurable policy change, and renewed confidence that persistent advocacy can move institutions.
With over 1,000 standing ovations across four continents, Simon delivers the rare combination of substance and storytelling that audiences remember for years. Book him to prove what's possible.
Topics, sessions and talks
Simon Tam shares the inside story of his landmark Supreme Court case, revealing how a dispute over a band name reshaped free speech and trademark law. Blending legal insight with personal storytelling, Simon explores risk, resilience, and conviction. His engaging style brings complex legal principles to life, offering a rare perspective on how individuals can influence national policy and defend creative rights.
Simon Tam combines live music with powerful storytelling to create an immersive experience that connects emotionally and intellectually. Drawing from his career in music and activism, he explores themes of identity, persistence, and empathy. The format blends performance with insight, creating a memorable experience that resonates across diverse audiences while demonstrating how creativity can build bridges and inspire action.
Simon Tam draws on decades of experience at the intersection of art and advocacy to demonstrate how creative work can influence systems and communities. From founding a band to leading a nonprofit, he shares lessons on innovation, leadership, and civic engagement. His perspective highlights how individuals and organisations can use creativity to drive meaningful change and expand opportunities for others.
Simon's experience turning a trademark dispute into a defining First Amendment case gives him a rare ability to connect legal principle with real-world organisational and cultural impact. Clients consistently praise his ability to make complex issues feel immediate, relevant, and actionable in ways that reframe how audiences think about voice and responsibility.
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frequently asked questions
Something we've not covered here?
Email simon.tam@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Simon's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
Simon Tam combines live music performance with personal narrative across his sessions, structuring talks around the arc of his Supreme Court case and career in music and activism to illustrate how individual action can shift legal and cultural systems.
Simon Tam speaks on free speech and trademark law, arts and activism, and identity and creative rights. He won the unanimous Supreme Court case Matal v. Tam in 2017, a ruling that reshaped First Amendment protections, and his memoir Slanted won Best Autobiography/Memoir from the Independent Publisher Book Awards.
No. PepTalk adds no booking fee, so you pay the speaker's fee and nothing beyond it. The service, from shortlist through to contracts and event-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, PepTalk can agree preferential rates with your procurement team.
Share your event date, audience, format, objectives and budget, and PepTalk sends a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours. Each suggestion comes with a profile, a fee and a recommendation on the strongest fit. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, travel and logistics through to event day.
The typical fee range is the speaker's standard in-person fee in their home market, shown in their local currency. It moves with format, location, date and session length: virtual sessions and shorter slots usually cost less, while international travel and peak dates cost more. Send your brief to PepTalk and the team will confirm the exact fee in your currency.
Not all of them, and it makes no difference to your booking. PepTalk's network of 15,000+ speakers covers talent the team works with directly alongside speakers represented by agents and agencies worldwide. PepTalk approaches the speaker, negotiates the fee and handles contracting either way.
Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most events, and 12 months is better for large conferences, peak-season dates or one specific in-demand speaker. Shorter timelines are workable, and PepTalk regularly fills last-minute and replacement bookings within days. Availability is the constraint, so get in touch as soon as you have a date.
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