History

Jim Woods was born and raised in The Dalles, Oregon, and graduated from The Dalles High School. Following high school he attended the University of Washington, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature. He was a four year letterman, team captain, All-American, and Pac-8 Champion in wrestling while at UW.

After graduation from Washington he worked for a year, as an ironworker, while saving money to attend law school at Gonzaga University. A serious on the job injury inspired him towards a future career representing injured persons.

Graduation from Gonzaga Law School in 1978 was followed by admission to the Washington Bar. He then started work with a Workers Compensation and Plaintiff’s Personal Injury firm in Seattle, Washington. Since January of 1982 Jim has worked in his own small firm. His Washington offices were located in Seattle, Bainbridge Island, and Dallesport, Washington. Since admission to the Oregon Bar Association in 2004, his office has been located near Dufur, in Wasco County, Oregon

Jim has tried hundreds of cases over the years. These have involved representation of Washington workers compensation claimants in both administrative hearings and jury trials. His practice includes the representation of injured workers under the Longshore and Harborworkers Compensation Act. His successful appellate work includes appeals to the Washington Supreme Court, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. He has tried numerous personal injury cases, both jury and non-jury, in State and Federal Courts, always as the attorney for the injured party.

Since admission to the Oregon Bar, the emphasis of Jim’s practice has been plaintiff’s personal injury and wrongful death claims. In addition, he has proudly served as an arbitrator since 1985 in both Washington and Oregon State Courts. He has served as a mediator for 15 years, facilitating settlement of Longshore, Defense Base Act, and personal injury claims.

Since 1997, when not representing injured people, Jim has pursued a second career as a commercial cherry grower, with sweet cherry orchards in both the Dufur and Mosier areas. He has three grown children, of whom he is extremely proud, and has been happily married to Judge Janet Stauffer since 1988. Non-work passions include love of the outdoors, hunting, fishing, horses, good dogs, reading, and travel.