James Buckley

I have been an attorney for over 30 years.  I am the owner and supervising attorney at Buckley & Associates.  I personally train and work with every attorney at Buckley & Associates.  I have a monthly meeting with all the attorneys at Buckley & Associates and go over all of their cases.  We also roundtable the larger cases to get all of our attorneys’ input on the cases.  I love my job and love working with all the clients, attorneys, paralegals, and staff at Buckley & Associates.  I especially enjoy working with my daughter who is also an attorney with Buckley & Associates.  She has received various awards since joining the office.  She has become one of the top trial attorneys at Buckley & Associates. 

Subsequent to graduating from law school, I worked for three years as a prosecuting attorney in Olympia, Washington. Beginning in 1981, I worked as an associate attorney in private practice, and became a partner in a law firm.  I opened Buckley & Associates in Tacoma in 1983.  In 1993, I opened Buckley & Associates' second office in Seattle.

On a personal note, I grew up near Memphis, Tennessee.  After graduating from high school I joined the Army and became a paratrooper.  I served two years in the Vietnam War and was awarded various medals for my service, including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.  I then studied at Memphis State University and the University of Washington, graduating in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology.  In 1977 I received a Juris Doctorate (law degree) from the University of Oregon Law School.

Today I continue my legal education by attending seminars and conferences.  My emphasis is as a trial lawyer handling serious injuries and wrongful death matters.  I am also a former hearing examiner with the Washington State Bar Association and serve as an arbitrator for King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. 

I have been awarded various awards as an attorney, including Super Lawyer (2013); Million Dollar Advocate (2013); Super Lawyer (2012); BV Distinguished Attorney (2012); Top Attorneys in Washington (2012); America’s Most Honored Processional Top 10% (2012); Super Lawyer (2011); Circle of Excellence 2010 (2011); Top Attorneys in Washington (2011); Super Lawyer (2010); Who’s Who in Personal Injury-Plaintiffs (2008): American’s Most Admired Companies (2007); Wall of Tolerance (2004–present); Million Dollar Advocate (2002-2012).  Avvo has rated me as a perfect 10 in its attorneys rating system. 

I am a member of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington (2006–present); American Association for Justice (2002–present); American Bar Association (2002–present); Washington State Association for Justice  (2000–present); Snohomish County Bar Association (1995–present); Seattle King County Bar Association (1994–present); National Bar Association (1983–present); Pierce County Bar Association (1983- present); United States Court of Appeals For the Ninth Circuit (1982–present); United States District Court for the Western District of Washington (1979–present); Washington State Bar Association (1978–present); Loren Miller Bar Association (2000–2011); President of the Pierce County Minority Bar Association (1989–1991); International Legal Fraternity of Phi Delta Phi (1975–1976) and other legal associations.  I was invited to the Inauguration of President Barack H. Obama and am one of the top 100 Litigation Lawyers in the State of Washington, per the American Society of Legal Advocates.       

I have personally handled over 2,000 injury and wrongful death cases for our clients.  I also have personally recovered over $50,000,000 for clients and have supervised and assisted the other attorneys at Buckley & Associates in recovering over an additional $100,000,000 for our clients.