
Practice Areas: Personal Injury, Elder Law, Transportation & Maritime
Licensed in Washington since: 1994
Education: Golden Gate University School of Law

GLP Attorneys, P.S., Inc.
2601 4th Ave6th Floor
Seattle, WA 98121 Phone: 206-448-1992 Email: James Gooding Visit website
Details
James Gooding is a Shareholder based out of GLP Attorneys’ Seattle office.
Jim learned the practice of personal injury law from his father in Kent, Washington, where together they represented clients from all walks of life. During those years Jim gained respect for the problems and issues his clients faced, and learned how to best counsel and represent them while achieving justice for their cause.
Jim’s practice eventually brought him to New York City, where he became trial counsel for various firms who sent their difficult cases to him when they knew the case was going to be tried to a jury. There, Jim successfully tried 75+ personal injury jury cases, bringing his clients millions of dollars and redemption from those who had injured them.
In 2007, Jim returned to the Pacific Northwest with his wife and three children and joined GLP Attorneys with the Seattle personal injury attorney team. Since 2010, Jim has been a partner with the firm.
Jim is currently an active member of the Washington State Association for Justice and the American Association for Justice. He is a member of Trial Lawyers Care (a group that contributed pro bono time to World Trade Center victims after September 11th), a member of the WSAJ Disaster Relief Program (a group that contributed pro bono time to victims of the E. Washington wildfires) and is a frequent Moot Court Judge. He was a member of the Ethics Committee of the NY County Lawyers Association until 2007, and has served on the Washington State Bar Association Court Rules Committee. Jim is one of only a handful of attorneys in the Northwest who is Board Certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification, a distinction which requires verifiable trial results, and a review process including testimonials by Judges and attorneys who have opposed him at trial. He is also an Associate with the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Jim was voted “Washington State Super Lawyer” from 2012 – 2021 and was named Top 100 “Washington State Super Lawyer” in 2018, 2021, and 2022. He has achieved “Top 100 Trial Lawyers” distinction from 2012 – 2022.
Jim takes a personal interest in every client he represents. For Jim, a case is not just a number or a name – it is an injury that could have happened to any one of us. As such, he is dedicated to ensuring that his clients are treated with the respect that each one individually deserves.
When Jim is not at work, he likes being with his wife and three kids enjoying time in the mountains, San Juan Islands or on Lake Washington.
First Admitted: 1993, California
Professional Webpage: https://www.glpattorneys.com/attorneys/james-gooding/
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington, 2007
- Member of the WSAJ Nursing Home and Elder Care section, and past Member of the WSBA Court Rules Committee and the WSAJ Trial News Editorial Board.
- American Association for Justice (AAJ), Member
- Washington State Bar Association, 1994
- New York State Bar Association, 2002
- Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, 2002
- Washington State Coordinator for the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification
- Member of the WSAJ Nursing Home and Elder Care section, 2011 - present
- New Jersery State Bar Association, 2002
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, 1993
- Member of Ethics Committee, New York County Lawyers Association, 2003-2007
- Washington State Association for Justice (WSAJ), Eagle Member
- California State Bar Association, 1993
- U.S. State Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 1993
- $2 Million settlement for the wrongful death of a client caused by a T-bone car crash., 2024
- $1 Million recovery for a nursing home abuse and neglect client., 2024
- $500,000 recovery for a client involved in a motor vehicle collision., 2024
- $375,000 recovery for a maritime client whose fishing vessel sank due to negligence causing physical injuries and extreme PTSD., 2024
- $300,000 recovery for a client who was rear-ended and suffered migraine headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain and low back pain., 2024
- $300,000 recovery for a fisherman injured on the job., 2024
- $275,000 recovery for a nursing home abuse client., 2024
- $250,000 recovery for a client who was rear-ended suffering a slap tear that required surgery., 2024
- $250,000 recovery for bicyclist struck by a car exiting a parking lot., 2024
- $200,000 recovery for a client rear-ended suffering from neck injuries, concussion, and PTSD., 2024
- $135,000 recovery for a client who suffered a concussion and heart palpitations from a head-on collision., 2024
- $122,500 recovery for a client who suffered a back injury in a rear-end collision., 2024
- $100,000 recovery for a maritime client who broke his hand on a processor., 2024
- $1,535,000 settlement for a minor who suffered injuries on a playground., 2023
- $1,000,000 settlement for a minor who was injured in a trucking collision., 2023
- $1.75M settlement for the estate of a wrongful death client who was struck and killed by a motor vehicle., 2022
- $5M resolution for a person who was badly injured., 2022
- Has picked over 100 juries and tried over 75 cases.
- $1 million recovery for a child who was hit by a car resulting in PTSD., 2021
- $2.25 million recovery for a man who was involved in an explosion at a scrap yard, sustaining an injury to his pituitary glad., 2020
- $3.5 million recovery for a diver who was hit by a spool that fell of the barge he was working under., 2021
- $4.5 million recovery for a girl who was hit by a semitruck, sustaining liver damage., 2021
- $5 million recovery for the wife and children of an employee who died after falling down a manlift shaft at the Avis Parking garage in Seattle, WA., 2020
- $2.7M verdict vs. Fred Meyer for a customer who had a dolly dropped on her foot., 2020
- $1.5 million settlement for an elderly nursing home resident who was given the wrong medication (morphine), killing her. The nursing home hid their $1M and $500K insurance policies for over four years before finally being forced to pay, 2016
- $1 million settlement for the wrongful death of a seaman (confidential facts), 2016
- $1 million maritime settlement for a seaman who fell into an open fish hold, injuring his neck, back, wrist, and shoulder, requiring surgery, 2016
- $1.65 million settlement for a 54 year old woman who was rear-ended, causing cervical herniations and the need for a three-level cervical fusion. This is the largest reported cervical fusion settlement ever in the State of Washington, 2015
- $884,000 verdict in King County for a woman whose insurance company's pre-trial offer to her was zero, 2015
- $3.5 million settlement for 97 year old nursing home resident whose genitalia fell off due to untreated penile cancer. This is the largest reported nursing home settlement ever in the State of Washington, 2011
- $1.25 million settlement for woman who was hit on her bike by an SUV, fracturing her ankle. This is one of the largest reported recoveries for an ankle fracture ever in the State of Washington, 2010
- $1million policy limits settlement for a truck driver/passenger whose arm got crushed when the co-driver took a turn too fast, rolling the truck over onto the passenger side, 2012
- $1million policy limits settlement for the wrongful death of a 38 year old man due to tire failure on a van he was driving, 2012
- $870,000 verdict to a man who slipped on grease in the stairwell of his workplace, due to inadequate lighting, requiring surgery to his knee, 2007
- “What is nursing home abuse and neglect?” Nursing home abuse and neglect is one of the hidden dangers in America, impacting too many of our vulnerable loved ones. In this episode of #PersonalInjury101, Jim Gooding defines nursing home abuse and neglect., What is nursing home abuse and neglect?, Nursing Home, 2024
- “What laws cover nursing home abuse and neglect?” The Vulnerable Adult Statute is a powerful law which protects elders who have been victims of nursing home abuse and neglect. Understanding the laws protecting you and your loved ones can help you be prepared for the future if something happens. In this episode of #PersonalInjury101, Jim Gooding talks about what laws cover nursing home abuse and neglect., What laws cover nursing home abuse and neglect?, Nursing Home, 2024
- “What should I do if I suspect nursing home abuse and neglect are occurring?” Abuse and neglect in nursing homes can take many forms. Nursing homes providing substandard care can oftentimes result in injury or death. In this episode of #PersonalInjury101, Jim Gooding talks about what you should do if you suspect that nursing home abuse and neglect are occurring., What should I do if I suspect nursing home abuse and neglect are occurring?, Legal, 2024
- “Should I attempt to negotiate with the nursing home on my own?” When a loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse and neglect, it can be daunting to negotiate with a nursing home on your own. This is why there are laws in Washington State that provide legal measures that can cover your attorney fees. In this episode of #PersonalInjury101, Jim Gooding talks about why you should not negotiate with the nursing home on your own and why it is best to seek out an attorney., Should I attempt to negotiate with the nursing home on my own?, Nursing Home, 2024
- “How long do I have to file a nursing home abuse or neglect lawsuit?” When deciding to file a nursing home abuse or neglect lawsuit, it is best to act sooner rather than later. The right attorney to help represent you in your case will ensure that you are supported properly. In this episode of #PersonalInjury101, Jim Gooding talks about when you should file a nursing home abuse or neglect lawsuit., How long do I have to file a nursing home abuse or neglect lawsuit?, Nursing Home, 2024
- “What are the signs of nursing home abuse and neglect?” Nursing home neglect can take many different forms from emotional to physical abuse. Nursing home professionals have a duty to their patients to provide a certain standard of care and quality of life. Unfortunately, sometimes they do not provide a suitable level of care., What are the signs of nursing home abuse and neglect?, Nursing Home, 2024
- “What should I look for when hiring a personal injury attorney for a nursing home abuse or neglect case?” It is important to look into the background of a personal injury attorney when you are looking to hire them to represent you in a nursing home abuse or neglect case. The personal injury attorney must be knowledgeable about the laws for these cases. In this episode of #PersonalInjury101, Jim Gooding talks about what you should look for when hiring a personal injury attorney for a nursing home abuse or neglect case., What should I look for when hiring a personal injury attorney for a nursing home abuse or neglect case?, Nursing Home, 2024
- Personal Injury 101: Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect, 2023
- Graduate, The Courage to Ask, Trial Lawyers College, October 2024, 2024
- ABOTA - inducted into the American Board of Trial Advocacy as an Associate, 2020
- Board Certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. This certification verifies that the attorney has tried over 20 cases to verdict, and attained a level of skill in the courtroom that has been verified by Judges and opposing counsel.
- Pro Bono representation of people injured in the 9/11/01 World Trade Center attacks.
- Member of Trial Lawyers Care, an organization that provides pro bono legal services for victims of 9/11 and for the Oso landslide.
- Recognized as a Top 100 Super Lawyer by Washington Super Lawyers., 10 Year Badge - Top 100 Super Lawyer - Washington State, 2014-2024 Super Lawyers, 2024
- 2012-2024 Top 100 Washington State Trial Lawyers, Top 100 Washington State Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers, 2024
- Top 100 Jury Verdicts, TopVerdict.com - 2022, Top 100 Jury Verdicts, TopVerdict.com, 2022
- Top 100 Jury Verdicts, TopVerdict.com - 2020, Top 100 Jury Verdicts, TopVerdict.com, 2020
- Plaintiff's opening statement and closing argument from Phillips v. Bush Realty trial included in Winning Openings and Closings, Washington State Association for Justice, 2009, Winning Openings and Closings, Washington State Association for Justice, 2009
- Highest rating by AVVO - 10.0, 10.0 AVVO rating, Avvo.com, 2024
- Member, Member, Million Dollar Advocates Forum , Member, Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Million Dollar Advocates Forum, 2024
- Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification 2007 - present
- Opening statement and closing argument from Phillips v. Bush Realty trial included in Winning Openings and Closings, Washington State Association for Justice, 2009.
- University of California at Berkeley, California, B.A., Philosophy, 1990
- Golden Gate University School of Law J.D., 1993
- Author, “Implications of the Henderson Ruling: WA Supreme Court Addresses Racial Bias in Civic Court Proceedings”, GLP Attorneys Legal Update, November 2022, Author, Implications of the Henderson Ruling: WA Supreme Court Addresses Racial Bias in Civic Court Proceedings, GLP Attorneys Legal Update, Legal, 2022
- Author, “How to Win at Trial When Your Plaintiff is a Smoker”, Washington State Association for Justice Trial News, April 2020, Author, How to Win at Trial When Your Plaintiff is a Smoker, Washington State Association for Justice Trial News,, Legal, 2020
- Speaker at CLE: Trial Advocacy - Voir Dire, Speaker, Trial Advocacy CLE, WSBA, 2019
- Speaker, "Top 10 Trial Tips", Bridging the Gap, 2016, Speaker, Top 10 Trial Tips, Bridging the Gap, Legal, 2016
- A New Civil Cause of Action for Mandatory Reporters Who Fail to Report Suspected Neglect and Abuse, Co-author, WSAJ Trial News, 2016
- Finding Seven-figure Coverage in the "no-coverage" case, co-author, WSAJ Trial News, 2014
- Punitive Damages in Nursing Home (and other) Cases, WSAJ Trial News, 2013
- Presenter, “Voir Dire”, Washington State Bar Association Trial Advocacy Program, 2015 - 2020, Presenter, Voir Dire, Washington State Bar Association Trial Advocacy Program, Legal
- Age Doesn't Matter: the Vulnerable Adult Statute in Practice, WSAJ Trial News, 2011
- Speaker, "Fear during Voir Dire – Pitfalls and Pointers", University of Washington School of Law, 2008, Speaker, Fear during Voir Dire – Pitfalls and Pointers, University of Washington School of Law, Legal, 2008
- Turning the Tables: Forcing the Defendant to Submit to a Physical Exam and Reveal Other Relevant Medical Records, "Bill of Particulars" cover story, New York State Trial Lawyers Association, 2005
- Capitation as a Free-Standing Cause of Action in Medical Malpractice, ATLA Professional Negligence Reporter, 2004
- Aviation
- Construction
- Logging
- Maritime
- Nursing Home
- Trucking
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2012 - 2025