Skip to main content

Thomas C. Goolsby

also known as Thom Goolsby
This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2019. Read more
  Save
Avvo Rating10
  • Wilmington, NC
  • Licensed for 27 years
See more Wilmington DUI & DWI lawyersSearch
AboutContactReviewsCost

About Thomas

Trusted, Experienced Trial Attorney & Former North Carolina Senator. Recently awarded NC's highest honor, Order of the Long Leaf Pine, for legal and legislative service to North Carolina and its people. You will find no other lawyer with his vast experience in the law (trial attorney for 22+ years in North Carolina courtrooms) and legislation (two-term North Carolina Senator).

Thom Goolsby has a commanding courtroom presence and is NEVER afraid to fight for his clients and their rights. His many years drafting legislation in the Senate give him a superlative understanding of the law, its structure and statutory interpretation.

A top graduate of The Citadel, Senator Goolsby served his country as an Officer in the United States Marine Corps. He earned his MBA from Golden Gate University and Law Degree from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Recognized as an exceptional statesman, he headed the Judiciary One and Justice & Public Safety Committees in the Senate. After retiring from the Senate, he continues to serve as a Crime Commissioner and Courts Commissioner.

From matters large to small, Senator Goolsby brings tenacity, wisdom and fearlessness to the courtroom. Again and again clients appreciate the way he takes a personal interest in their lives and struggles.

When you need a highly skilled advocate to personally handle your case, look no further than Thom Goolsby.

 

Practice areas

Personal injuryCriminal defenseDUI and DWI
  1. DUI and DWI: 50%

    Driving While Impaired, Alcohol or Drugs. Handled 1000s of cases over 2+ decades.

    28 years, 1,000 cases

  2. Criminal defense: 30%

    DWI/DUI, Revoke License, Assault, Drugs, Financial Crimes (Fraud/Embezzlement), First Time Offenders, Domestic Violence, Traffic Offenses

    28 years, 10,000 cases

  3. Personal injury: 20%

    Motor Vehicle Accidents, Wrongful Death, Work/Construction Injuries, Tractor-Trailer Collisions

    28 years, 2,000 cases

Languages spoken

English

Photos and videos

1744242 1391804726

Contact

212 Walnut St Ste 100
address map

Goolsby Law Firm, PLLC

212 Walnut St Ste 100
Business
Wilmington, NC, 28401-4254

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
NCActive199212/07/2019

Professional misconduct


This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority.

  • Reprimand
    issued in NC, 2019

    updated on 11/28/2019

    Typically in this case the lawyer's poor behavior is exposed to the public in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior.

Avvo Contributions
Legal answers5
Legal guides2
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Client SatisfactionAmerican Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys2015
Nation's Top One PercentNational Association of Distinguished Counsel2015
Litigator AwardTrial Lawyers Board of Regents2015
Million Dollar AdvocateMillion Dollar Advocates Forum2014
Order of the Long Leaf PineNorth Carolina Governor2014
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
SenatorNorth Carolina General Assembly2011 - Present
OwnerGoolsby Law Firm, PLLC1993 - Present
WriterCarolina Syndicated Columns1995 - 2014
ProfessorCampbell Law School1994 - 2010
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
NC Crime CommissionCommissioner2012 - Present
NC Courts CommissionCommissioner2012 - Present
International Bar AssociationMember1997 - Present
Internation Association of Penal LawMember1993 - Present
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
ISISC JournalThe Role of the Prosecutor in the Administration of Justice1994
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
University of North Carolina School of LawJD - Juris Doctor1991
Golden Gate UniversityMBA - Master of Business Administration1987
Citadel, Military College of South CarolinaBA - Bachelor of Arts1984
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
CCBI Forensic Science ConferenceForensic Science in North Carolina2013
Legal cases
Case nameOutcome
State v. ScaturroNot Guilty on DWI and Careless & Reckless
State v. PedersenDsimissed
State v. TuckerNot Guilty on DWI.
State v. FlanneryNot Guilty on DWI.
State v. KeenProbation (best pretrial offer was 18 months ACTIVE time)

Reviews

(18)
5 Star
94%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
6%
Review Thomas Goolsby

Great Lawyer & Senator

Posted by

I was charged with assault and battery and was very worried about going to jail, as well as having a violent criminal record. Thank you for calming my fears and helping me in court. When I learned that you had had my case dismissed, I was overjoyed. You have a great staff and I could not ask anymore from a lawyer. You are the best!
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Thom Goolsby A+

Posted by

Thom Goolsby is an amazing lawyer. his representation of me was above and beyond anything I ever expected. he aggressively represented me in two Superior Court jury trials. Senator Goolsby was impressive to watch in action. He fought every issue and won both of my cases. I could not have imagined a more competent, caring and skilled trial advocate. I give him my highest recommendation and eternal thanks for all he did for myself and my family.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney
See all reviews

Attorney endorsements

(14)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Woody White, Criminal defense Attorney on Feb 24, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Thom is a tireless advocate for his clients and has earned a reputation as a heavy-weight in the courtroom. His commitment to the community and his vocation is unmatched, and I highly recommend him.

Mark Williams, Divorce and separation Attorney on Jun 19, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Senator Goolsby is an excellent attorney. I have watched him in the Courtroom skillfully cross examine witnesses and often win his case for his client. He truly cares and desires to win. I strongly recommend him.

Rick Graves, Estate planning Attorney on Oct 24, 2019
Relationship: Worked together on matter

Thom is a great attorney with a wealth of experience. If you have been charged with a crime you need an attorney like Thom Goolsby.

Janet Gemmell, Family Attorney on May 2, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Thom is well liked by his peers and the legal community. He understands the law and actively pursues his client's best interests in all legal matters. Clients will get steadfast and well-rounded legal representation from Mr. Goolsby.

David Walen, Business Attorney on May 7, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Thom is a colleague and friend. He represents his clients with great integrity and skill and deals forthrightly with his peers and adversaries alike. I am honored to endorse Mr. Goolsby

Wayne Payne, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 7, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Senator Goolsby is a tireless warrior for the criminally accused. One lucky enough to have Senator Goolsby at the side knows that he will work above and beyond any call of duty to provide the best possible defense. Hire him.

David Collins, Personal injury Attorney on Dec 1, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer - I have known Thom Goolsby and his associates for over 20 years. He is an extremely experienced and expertly skilled attorney who knows the law and fights extremely hard for his clients. As a former Senator, he has helped write the law. With his knowledge and experience, he makes sure the law is applied correctly in his clients’ favor.

Brian Arthur, Criminal defense Attorney on Nov 19, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Thom is an excellent criminal defense attorney. I have seen him handle cases day in and day out with the utmost professionalism and integrity. I gladly endorse this attorney!

Amanda Mason, Divorce and separation Attorney on Oct 20, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Mr. Goolsby is a well respected and accomplished attorney in North Carolina.

Kevin Marcilliat, Federal crime Attorney on Sep 30, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Mr. Goolsby is an experienced and dedicated advocate for his clients. I endorse him in all areas of criminal defense and personal injury practice.

Richard Kern, Family Attorney on Aug 8, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I first met Thom long before I was an attorney. I was initially impressed with his knowledge and calming effect on those around him. When I first became an attorney, I had a case with Thom as opposing counsel. I was then impressed by his abilities in the courtroom. Honest, hardworking, fair, very skilled, and knowledgeable are just a couple words I would use to describe Thom.

Mark Williams, Divorce and separation Attorney on Jun 19, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Senator Goolsby is an excellent attorney. I have watched him in the Courtroom skillfully cross examine witnesses and often win his case for his client. He truly cares and desires to win. I strongly recommend him.

Robert Hale, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 19, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I have known Thomas Goolsby for many years. He is a very experienced and capable criminal defense attorney. He is trustworthy and caring and responsive to his clients' needs.

Michael Waddington, Military law Attorney on Jun 14, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse Thomas. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.

Woody White, Criminal defense Attorney on Feb 24, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Thom is a tireless advocate for his clients and has earned a reputation as a heavy-weight in the courtroom. His commitment to the community and his vocation is unmatched, and I highly recommend him.

Andrew Olsen, Probate Attorney on Jun 12, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.