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Thomas C. Goolsby
also known as Thom Goolsby
About Thomas
Biography
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.
Trusted Legal Counsel & Former Two-Term NC Senator. 23+ years of practice in New Hanover County.
Trusted Defense Attorney & Former Two Term NC Senator. 23+ years of practice in New Hanover County.
Trusted Injury Lawyer & Former Two Term NC Senator. 23+ years of practice in New Hanover County.
Trusted DWI Attorney & Former Two Term NC Senator. 23+ years of practice in New Hanover County.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
DUI and DWI
50%
34 years | 1,000 cases
Criminal Defense
30%
34 years | 10,000 cases
Personal Injury
20%
34 years | 2,000 cases
Fees and Rates
Awards
2016 2014
Licenses
Licensed in North Carolina for 34 years
State: North Carolina
Acquired: 1992
Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2019
Location
Goolsby Law Firm, PLLC
(910) 543-3208
Mobile
(910) 763-1720
Fax
212 Walnut St Ste 100, Business, Wilmington, NC, 28401-4254
goolsbylaw.com/Gallery
Thomas C. Goolsby's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
22 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (22)
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Communication Style
Posted by Hayden | September 30, 2016 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI
Charged with DWI- Not Guilty
Thank goodness for Thom Goolsby. What a fighter! He did not hesitate to take my case to trial. He preformed a withering cross examination of the arresting officer in my DWI case. It was like a tv show. When it was my turn to testify he led me step-by-step through my case. At the end of the trial he g...
Posted by anonymous | February 17, 2014 | Criminal Defense
The Goolsby Law Firm- Review
Mr. Goolsby was highly recommended by several friends in the Wilmington area. After meeting with him I decided to move forward. I could not have made a better choice. He was very up front about everything involving my case and delivered on what he promised. As an added bonus his staff was on call 24/...
Posted by anonymous | February 17, 2014 | Lawsuits & Disputes
highly recommend
Not sure where these poor reviews are coming from but Thom did outstanding job with my case. I was kept informed from day 1 about each and every hearing and if I ever had an issues my call was returned promptly. I was given Senator Goolsby's cell phone number and again was in regular communication ...
Posted by anonymous | September 17, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
NC Bar Association was Correct to Issue Reprimand
Thom Goolsby represented me in a level three misdemeanor case in September 2020 that went to trial before a judge. Over the 19 months it took to resolve the case, I drove round trip several times a long distance to meet my obligations to the court and defend myself. Goolsby's lack of communication,...
Thomas C. Goolsby's Lawyer Endorsements
"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."
"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."
"Thom is a titan in the courtroom. I consistently see him taking the time outside the courtroom to explain the criminal law process to his clients. He is always patient with them and taking copious notes. He is equally professional with the prosecutors and court staff. I would highly recommend him for anything criminal, especially, DWIs."
"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."
"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."
"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"
"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."
"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."
"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!"
"Mr. Goolsby is a well respected and accomplished attorney in North Carolina."
"Mr. Goolsby is an experienced and dedicated advocate for his clients. I endorse him in all areas of criminal defense and personal injury practice."
"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."
"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."
"I endorse Thomas. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer."
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Experience
Professional misconduct
This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2019.
Reprimand issued in NC, 2019
updated on 11/27/2019Typically in this case the lawyer's poor behavior is exposed to the public in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior.
Honors
2015
Client Satisfaction, American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys
2015
Nation's Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel
2015
Litigator Award, Trial Lawyers Board of Regents
2014
Million Dollar Advocate, Million Dollar Advocates Forum
2014
Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina Governor
Work Experience
2011 - Present
Senator, North Carolina General Assembly
1993 - Present
Owner, Goolsby Law Firm, PLLC
1995 - 2014
Writer, Carolina Syndicated Columns
1994 - 2010
Professor, Campbell Law School
Associations
2012 - Present
NC Crime CommissionCommissioner
2012 - Present
NC Courts CommissionCommissioner
1997 - Present
International Bar AssociationMember
1993 - Present
Internation Association of Penal LawMember
Sample of Legal Cases
State v. Scaturro
Not Guilty on DWI and Careless & Reckless
State v. Tucker
Not Guilty on DWI.
State v. Pedersen
Dsimissed
State v. Flannery
Not Guilty on DWI.
State v. Keen
Probation (best pretrial offer was 18 months ACTIVE time)
Education
1991
University of North Carolina School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1987
Golden Gate University
MBA - Master of Business Administration
1984
Citadel, Military College of South Carolina
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2013
CCBI Forensic Science Conference
Forensic Science in North Carolina
Publications
1994
ISISC Journal
The Role of the Prosecutor in the Administration of Justice
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides