Practice areas: Criminal Defense, Personal Injury, Appellate; view more
Licensed in Washington since: 1988
Education: University of California Berkeley School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2017 - 2025 I am a navy veteran and a graduate of Berkeley Law School (Boalt Hall). For 32 years I have successfully fought for my clients at every court level in Washington, from municipal court to the Washington State Supreme Court. During this time, I have come to embrace certain ideals. I do not pick needless fights, I treat my opponents with respect, and I do not back down from a necessary fight. I adhere to the old Roman adage, “If you want peace, prepare for war.” To attain a favorable settlement, you must prepare the case for trial. I take the time to fully understand and investigate each client’s story so that a successful settlement can be reached, or a jury trial won. I apply these principles at Dixon & Cannon, Ltd., where I focus upon criminal defense, personal injury, and appeals.
As a criminal defense attorney, I have successfully defended clients in hundreds of jury trials, bench trials, motions hearings and appeals. I recognize that for many of my clients, a shoplifting charge may be as devastating to their employment as a felony conviction, and treat each accusation against my clients with the seriousness it deserves. I have been invited to speak at legal conferences about search warrant challenges and the creative use of evidentiary rules to effectively tell our clients’ stories.
Prior to co-founding Dixon & Cannon, Ltd., I was a senior trial attorney for a national insurance company, and was selected to serve in a specialized unit that focused on protecting individuals against fraudulent claims. I was also responsible for training other attorneys at the office regarding legal developments and current practices in this area of law. I now use the knowledge I gained working for insurance companies to ensure my clients are fairly compensated.
As an appellate attorney, I have obtained new trials or outright dismissals for clients convicted of various crimes, including DUI, robbery, vehicular assault, murder, VUCSA, three strikes offenses and sex offenses.
When not practicing law, I enjoy camping or taking part in multi-sport vacations with my wife and two sons. I also enjoy live jazz, single malt scotch, a good game of chess, and rousing conversation with friends and family.
As an attorney, I work with people going through difficult times. I consider it an honor to represent and guide my clients through challenging life circumstances. My clients enrich my life and it is gratifying to know I have made a difference in theirs.
Practice areas
Criminal Defense, Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, AppellateFocus areas
Appeals, Assault & Battery, Brain Injury, Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Law, False Accusations, Felony, Misdemeanor, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Sex Offenses, Slip and Fall, Theft, Wrongful Death
- 50% Criminal Defense
- 40% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
- 10% Appellate
First Admitted: 1988, Washington
Professional Webpage: http://www.dixoncannon.com/attorney-james-dixon/
Bar / Professional Activity
- U.S. Federal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals
- U.S. Federal District Court Bar, Member, 2005
- Washington State Association for Justice, Eagle Member
- Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member
- Washington State Association for Justice, Rules Committee
- Washington State Bar, Member
- Washington State Bar Court, Former Rules Committee Member
Educational Background
- Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College, 2014
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Presentation to other criminal defense lawyers on the most effective means of challenging search warrants, Speaker, Challenging Search Warrants, 2017
- Effectively Advising Criminal Clients About Related Civil Claims, Speaker, Washington Defender Association, 2015
- Use of Particular Vulnerability Instructions at Trial, Speaker, Washington State Association for Justice, 2013
- Maximizing Settlements with insurance Companies, Speaker, Washington State Association for Justice Roundtable, 2013
- Challenging Search Warrants, Speaker, Washington Defender Association, 2010
- Understanding ER 404(b), Speaker, Washington Defender Association, 2006
- The Defense Perspective, Speaker, Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, 2006
- A seminar for trial attorneys on how to make proper objections to hold the trial courts accountable for bad rulings, Presenter, Making the Record, Washington Defender Association, 2016
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“Jim Dixon has been called a brilliant at what he does for good reason. Most recently, in the practice area of civil asset forfeitures, he secured a unanimous--en banc--ruling from the Supreme Court of Washington. The ruling is a major game changer, and I believe the first of its kind across the nation, for criminal defendants who are also subject to civil asset forfeiture proceedings. The ruling allows such defendants to collect attorney fees against the state for work done dismissing their criminal charge so long as that work is reasonably related to prevailing in the civil asset forfeiture case. The take home point is that prosecutors now have the financial incentive to think twice before bringing a civil asset forfeiture case against a criminal defendant.”
“I have worked with James Dixon for the past 22 years and consider him to be an excellent trial attorney and great friends. We frequently enjoy working on cases together. Jim's ethics, knowledge of the law and legal issues are outstanding! I am proud to be his business partner!”
“first class and continues to be so..”
“Jim is without a doubt one of the best trial and appellate attorneys in the state of Washington. His practice focuses on criminal defense and personal injury law. The results Jim obtains for his clients appear magical but are the product of incredible competence, intense hard work, and a commitment to ferreting out the truth. I've worked with some amazing attorneys over the years, but Jim is among the best of the best. ”
“James is one of the best trial attorneys around. He has tremendous compassion for his clients, yet he is tough when he needs to be.”
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2017 - 2025
