Born in 1937 in Richmond and named Simon Delano Roberts Moore, young Moore adopted the nickname “Rabbit” after someone observing him playing sports commented that he ran like a rabbit. He attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute, as it was then known, leaving in 1958 to enter the T. C. Williams School of Law, as it was then known, from which he earned an L.L.B in 1961. That same year he began practicing law with the Roanoke firm of Gentry Locke and helped to grow that firm into a prominent regional (and now state-wide) firm officially named Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore.

Mr. Moore focused his practice on almost all areas of civil cases that were to be resolved by jury trials including professional responsibility, employment law, personal injury, wrongful death, and defamation cases. Initially involved exclusively on the defense side of medical malpractice litigation, he became frustrated with restraints insurance companies attempted to impose and switched to handling only plaintiffs’ cases – substantially growing that area of the firm’s practice. Known to be driven by a strong work ethic, Mr. Moore in fact handled over 200 jury trials, earning a reputation as a fearless and compassionate advocate who would not back down from an unpopular cause. Both of Mr. Moore’s parents being deaf and mute, he learned sign language and on occasion used that proficiency to assist clients with those disabilities. He was recognized as one of the leading trial lawyers in the Commonwealth of Virginia by Benchmark Litigation, Best Lawyers in America, and Virginia Super Lawyers.

His colleagues believe that Mr. Moore exemplified the best of what it means to be a Virginia lawyer, adhering to the highest levels of professionalism, ethics, and courtesy with a career marked by his commitment to equal justice and access to justice, as well as his role as a wise mentor to countless young lawyers at his firm.  One former associate commented that Mr. Moore loved the intellectual challenge of practicing law, and needing little sleep, would often arrive at the office at 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning and have completed a stack of work before the associate arrived at 6:00 or 7:00. Mr. Moore was known to be a prolific reader and was often observed reading while he walked around Roanoke, somewhat to the observer’s amazement.

One of Mr. Moore’s passions was the University of Richmond, and he was an ardent supporter of the school and its athletic programs, taking a private plane to games if he did not have time to drive. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Richmond (1986-1990 and 2013-2017), a leader of the University of Richmond Law School Association, and the Richmond Law Advisory Board. In 1991 he received the University's Alumni Award for Distinguished Service.

Besides serving on the Virginia State Bar Council in the 1970s, Mr. Moore chaired the Virginia State Bar’s inaugural Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Committee, being appointed in 1986 to that role. He was a member of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association and the Roanoke Bar Association.

Among his many accolades, he was selected to Virginia Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame, as a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and of the American Bar Foundation, and as a member of the Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference. He is a Fellow of the Virginia Law Foundation Class of 1989. In 2016, Mr. Moore, then the Senior Litigation Partner at the firm, was awarded the Frank W. “Bo” Rogers, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award by the Roanoke Bar Association. This award is presented to an outstanding lawyer who embodies the highest tradition of personal and professional excellence in Southwest Virginia and, in doing so, enhances the image and esteem of attorneys in the region.

One such attorney commented, “there are more wonderful Rabbit stories than stars in the sky. He loved the practice of law more than anything – loved the fellowship of colleagues, the bar, and his firm.” Mr. Moore retired from his firm after an association which had continued for over 50 years and was presented with the firm’s sign at his retirement dinner. The firm is now using the shortened name of Gentry Locke for marketing purposes.

Mr. Moore currently resides in Roanoke.