A Constitution Day Speaker Who Lived the First Amendment
Most Constitution Day programs explain the First Amendment. Simon Tam lived it — taking his case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court and winning, unanimously. He brings the Constitution to life as only someone who fought for it can.
Over 1,000 standing ovations across four continents. A story taught in classrooms nationwide. One unanimous Supreme Court victory.
The Constitution isn't an abstraction when you've defended it before the Supreme Court
Constitution Day (September 17) marks the signing of the U.S. Constitution. The best way to make it meaningful for students, employees, or community members is to connect the document to a real human story. Simon Tam offers exactly that.
When the U.S. government refused to let him trademark the name of his band, The Slants, calling it "disparaging," Simon spent eight years fighting back — through the Patent and Trademark Office, the Federal Circuit, and finally the Supreme Court of the United States. In 2017, the Court ruled unanimously in his favor in Matal v. Tam, reshaping First Amendment law.
Today the case is taught in law schools, universities, and high school civics classes nationwide.
What Your Audience Takes Away
A clear, memorable understanding of what the First Amendment actually protects — and why it matters to everyone, across the political spectrum
A real, suspenseful story of one citizen taking on the federal government and winning
A nonpartisan framing of free speech that works for ideologically diverse audiences
Connection between a landmark constitutional principle and the lived experience behind it
For students: a vivid answer to "why should I care about a 200-year-old document?"
Constitution Day Programs For Every Audience
Colleges & Universities
Convocations, first-year programming, law schools, and civic engagement series. A keynote that draws students across political science, law, journalism, communications, and Asian American studies.
K–12 & Independent Schools
An age-adaptable presentation that makes the Constitution real for students — pairing a compelling story with the civic principles your curriculum already covers.
Law Firms, Bar Associations & Corporations
A Constitution Day program with genuine legal substance — available for CLE credit — from the litigant in a landmark First Amendment case.
“Dance rock band front man Simon Tam sought to trademark The Slants. His aim was to reappropriate a term long used to disparage a minority group and to render the term a badge of pride. All of us agreed.”
— Ruth Bader Ginsburg
What people have said about Simon Tam:
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![Cover of the book titled 'The Bill of Rights: A User's Guide' by Linda R. Monk, with a foreword by Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.]()
“No constitution, no bill of rights alone can guarantee human freedom. People like Simon Tam…are willing to risk their security – and sometimes their lives – make the Bill of Rights not just empty promises on paper, but a living reality to expand freedom for the rest of the nation as well.”
The Bill of Rights: A User’s Guide by Linda Monk
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![Ronny Chieng in a gray suit, white checkered shirt, and striped tie, adjusting his tie with a confident expression against a gray background.]()
"The story of The Slants is the perfect vehicle to discuss the realities of being an Asian artist in America."
Ronny Chieng, The Daily Show
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![Book cover for 'Hate Speech, Not Censorship' by Nadine Strossen, featuring a red background with large black and white text.]()
“Simon Tam has been an evangelist for free speech and equality as mutually reinforcing rights. He has given several terrific TED talks which I highly recommend."
Nadine Strossen, law professor and former president of the ACLU
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![Professional portrait of an Asian man in a suit and tie, smiling, with a cityscape background.]()
“This was the best CLE presentation that they have ever attended.”
Hyung Steele, Partner at Pepper Hamilton LLP
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![Logo for Global Cultural Studies at Williamette University, featuring a black world map and text on a light blue background.]()
"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."
Peter Wogan, Professor of Global Cultural Studies
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![Colorful abstract logo with interconnected arcs and circles in purple, green, orange, and teal.]()
“One of the most inspiring people I have ever heard speak.”
member, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
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![Portrait of an Asian man in a suit and tie, sitting in an office setting.]()
“The Tam case has forged a hybrid trademark and free speech right.”
Timothy T. Hsieh, NYU Journal of IP & Ent. Law
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![The Netflix logo with a black background and red letters.]()
“This presentation of stories and songs will have you on the edge of your seat.”
Northeastern University School of Law
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![Text reading 'Knowledge at Wharton' with 'at' in red and centered]()
“Simon Tam’s legal fight turned an obscure trademark law into mainstream conversation about free speech and identity.”
Elizabeth M. Squires, Knowledge at Wharton
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![A smiling middle-aged man wearing a dark blue suit, white shirt, and patterned tie, standing in a bright, modern hallway with windows.]()
"Of note is Tam’s effort to register 'The Slants' for his Asian rock-dance band in an effort to reclaim a piece of cultural heritage for his group and drain the slur of its 'denigrating force.'"
John A. Squires, Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
Simon’s story and work has been featured in thousands of media outlets across 125+ countries, including:
Book Simon for Constitution Day
Constitution Day falls on September 17, and dates book early. Reach out now to check availability and discuss a program tailored to your audience.