James Jeffries (“Jeff”) Goodwin, Esq.
Jeff Goodwin is the founder of Goodwin Law Corporation, one of Sacramento’s premier full service law firms. Jeff is licensed to practice law in all California and U.S. Federal courts and has been providing excellent legal advice to clients for nearly 30 years.
Jeff was born in Puerto Rico and lived in countries throughout the world due to his military upbringing. From 1969 to 1971, Jeff was a police officer in Lexington, Kentucky. Jeff earned his Bachelor of Arts in 1971 from the University of Kentucky, where he majored in political science with a minor in business and graduated from the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps. From 1971 to 1977, Jeff served active duty in the United State Army and graduated from Armor Officer Basic Course, Reconnaissance School, Airborne School, Pathfinder School and Ranger School. Jeff received Expert Marksman Awards for pistol, rifle, machine gun, anti-tank and tank weapons. He also received the National Defense Service Medal. It was in the U.S. Army that Jeff conducted investigations under the supervision of the Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Office and found his passion for the law.
In 1977 Jeff earned a Master of Public Administration from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, California. Jeff then entered the United States Army Reserve and became a graduate student assistant, where he assisted in the research, writing and publication of a report to President Jimmy Carter to mitigate the adverse economic impacts of the B-1 bomber cancellation. In 1980, Jeff became a law clerk and investigator under the supervision of James L. Stevens, Jr., who is now a retired Superior Court Judge. Jeff decided to pursue his passion for the law and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army after achieving the rank of Captain.
Jeff received his Juris Doctor in 1981 from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, California. He was taught constitutional law by current United States Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy and upon graduation was a recipient of the American Jurisprudence award for scholastic excellence.
From 1980 to 1982, Jeff worked in the Sacramento County Public Defender’s Office. From 1982 to 1986, he worked for the Law Offices of Rodney A. Klein, P.C. as an associate attorney. He represented plaintiffs and defendants in personal injury litigation including medical malpractice, aviation, products liability, pharmaceutical liability, securities fraud and insurance bad faith. He also represented clients before administrative hearings of the Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, Board of Medical Quality Assurance and others.
From 1986 to 1989, Jeff formed the Law Offices of James J. Goodwin, P.C. and practiced general law. From 1989 to 1991, Jeff worked as an associate attorney at the Law Offices of Weintraub Genshlea Hardy Erich & Brown, P.C.. From 1991 to 1994, Jeff worked as a partner and share holder of the Law Offices of Hardy Erich Brown & Wilson, P.C.
In 1994, Jeff founded Goodwin Law Corporation. From the conception of Goodwin Law Corporation, Jeff has had extensive litigation and mass tort experience with Dalkon Shield IUD’s, Silicone Breast Implants, MMPR vaccines, Fen-Phen and tobacco litigation. Goodwin Law Corporation is currently a full service law firm and brings 30 years of practice experience to assist clients in a wide array of legal issues.
For a more extensive list of Jeff’s licenses, certificates, special skills, professional activities, professional memberships, community activities, and publications, please see his Curriculum Vitae.