After growing up near Memphis, Tennessee, James Buckley served two years in the Vietnam War and was awarded various medals for his service, including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He then went on to study at Memphis State University and the University of Washington, graduating in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. In 1977 he received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Oregon Law School.
Subsequent to graduating from law school, Mr. Buckley worked for three years as a prosecuting attorney in Olympia. Beginning in 1981, he worked as an associate attorney in private practice, and became a partner in a law firm. Mr. Buckley opened Buckley & Associates in Tacoma in 1983.
Today Mr. Buckley continues his legal education by attending seminars and conferences. His emphasis is as a trial lawyer handling serious injuries and wrongful death matters. He is also a hearing examiner with the Washington State Bar Association and serves as an arbitrator for King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties.
His proudest accomplishments are being a father of three children and building and maintaining a successful law firm.
Practice areas
Languages spoken
English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Vietnamese, Spanish, French
Buckley & Associates, PS, Inc.
675 South Lane Steet Suite 300
Seattle, WA, 98104-2942
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
WA | Active | 1978 | 05/07/2022 |
MN | Not Authorized | 1978 | 05/21/2022 |
Legal answers | 6 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Best Attorneys of America | Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum | 2015 |
Nation's Top One Percent | National Association of Distinguished Counsel | 2015 |
Multi-Million Dollar Advocates | Million Dollar Advocates Forum | 2014 |
Top 100 Trial Lawyers | National Trial Lawyers | 2014 |
Top Attorneys in Washington | Seattle Metropolitan Magazine | 2012 |
Million Dollar Advocate | Million Dollar Advocates Forum | 2012 |
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers | 2012 |
America's Most Honored Professional Top 10% | American Registry | 2012 |
BV Distinguished Attorney | Martindale-Hubbell | 2012 |
Top Attorneys in Washington | Seattle Metropolitan Magazine | 2011 |
Circle of Excellence 2012 | Merchant Circle | 2011 |
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers | 2011 |
Million Dollar Advocate | Million Dollar Advocates Forum | 2011 |
Million Dollar Advocate | Million Dollar Advocates Forum | 2010 |
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers | 2010 |
Million Dollar Advocate | Million Dollar Advocates Forum | 2009 |
Million Dollar Advocate | Million Dollar Advocates Forum | 2008 |
Who's Who In Personal Injury - Plaintiffs | Washington Law & Politics Magazine | 2008 |
Million Dollar Advocate | Million Dollar Advocates Forum | 2007 |
America's Most Admired Companies | Test Magazine | 2007 |
Million Dollar Advocate | Million Dollar Advocates Forum | 2006 |
Million Dollar Advocate | Million Dollar Advocates Forum | 2005 |
Million Dollar Advocate | Million Dollar Advocates Forum | 2004 |
Million Dollar Advocate | Million Dollar Advocates Forum | 2003 |
Million Dollar Advocate | Million Dollar Advocates Forum | 2002 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Founder and Sr. Attorney | Buckley & Associates, PS, Inc. | 1983 - Present |
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney | Thurston County Deputy Prosecutor | 1978 - 1981 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Trial Masters | Member | 2015 - Present |
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington | Member | 2006 - Present |
Wall of Tolerance | Member | 2004 - Present |
American Association for Justice | Member | 2002 - Present |
American Bar Association | member | 2002 - Present |
Washington State Association for Justice | Eagle Member | 2000 - Present |
Snohomish County Bar Association | Member | 1995 - Present |
Seattle King County Bar Association | Member | 1994 - Present |
Pierce County Bar Association | Member | 1983 - Present |
National Bar Association | Member | 1983 - Present |
United States Court of Appeals For the Ninth Circuit | Member | 1982 - Present |
United States District Court for the Western District of Washington | Member | 1979 - Present |
Washington State Bar Association | Member | 1978 - Present |
Loren Miller Bar Association | Member | 2000 - 2011 |
Pierce County Minority Bar Association | President | 1989 - 1991 |
International Legal Fraternity of Phi Delta Phi | Member | 1975 - 1976 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
TV | Interview for Ko-Am Tv | 2011 |
TV | Interview for AAT-TV | 2011 |
King5 | Shooting victim partially blames state his life was ruined | 2010 |
Washington State Association for Justice | Accident Reconstructions: Using Yours, Combating Theirs | 2006 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of Oregon School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1977 |
University of Washington | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1974 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Auto Cases Seminar (Continuing Legal Education) | Accident Reconstructions: Using Yours, Combating Theirs | 2006 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Santosa vs. The Chrysler Corporation and Gerstel, 113 Wash.App. 1031, 2002 WL 31045305 (Wash.App. Div. 1) | Plaintiff verdict $6.2 Million judgment and verdict plus interest |
Chen vs. City of Seattle, 153 Wash.App. 890, 223 P.3d 1230, (2009) | Settlement $3.1 Million |
Pedestrian vs. Motorist | Settlement $1.5 Million (policy limits) |
Victims vs. the state of Washington and the Department of Corrections | Settlement $1.1 Million |
Passenger vs. Driver and Auto Manufacturer | Settlement $1.2 Million plus Confidential Settlement with Auto |
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January 31, 2013
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January 23, 2013
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January 21, 2013
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January 16, 2013
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December 31, 2012
Ronald Unger, Personal injury Attorney on Sep 15, 2015
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
James has a special skill for analyzing what is necessary to obtain the best possible result for his clients. He is always steps ahead of the opposition and fully prepared to deal with every issue. I highly endorse him.
Michael Waddington, Personal injury Attorney on May 26, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse James. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.
Ronald Unger, Personal injury Attorney on Sep 15, 2015
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
James has a special skill for analyzing what is necessary to obtain the best possible result for his clients. He is always steps ahead of the opposition and fully prepared to deal with every issue. I highly endorse him.
Michael Waddington, Personal injury Attorney on May 26, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse James. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.
Donald Haley, Personal injury Attorney on Feb 12, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
James C. Buckley and I met when he started the practice of law as a Thurston County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. I have firsthand knowledge of his later work as an attorney, when he assisted another attorney in obtaining an outstanding settlement of that lawyer’s case, as well as Mr. Buckley’s excellent settlements and verdicts in his own cases. Mr. Buckley is well liked and respected by his colleagues, judges, and opposing counsel. They are impressed with the depth of his 35 years of legal experience, as well as his outgoing, easygoing personality. His ability and personality are invaluable to his success. Mr. Buckley’s zeal for his clients is unaffected by his non legal personal concerns, for he remains a fair and personable attorney, his success notwithstanding. He still finds time to be a great mentor to less experienced lawyers.
Robert Carter, Personal injury Attorney on Jan 24, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I wish to endorse Mr. James C. Buckley. I have had the pleasure and honor of knowing Mr. Buckley for well over 30 years now. During that time, he has always taken the high road while dealing with all matters entrusted to him. What impresses me most is his proven reputation of consistently doing the right things right, the first time, with the utmost legal skills and integrity. Indeed, he stands heads and shoulders above his competition, is passionate about the practice of law, and is my go to guy for legal advice and counsel. He is a lawyers’ lawyer. Meaning if I ever need an outstanding and capable attorney on my team, James is the first name on my list that I can always depend on. To that end, in my small law office we have two standing rules. First, always ask James; and second, always do what he days. With James on my team there are never any doubts or fears. Electronically signed this 24th day of February, 2013.
Steven Weier, Personal injury Attorney on Jan 15, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I worked for James Buckley early in my career. I have the highest regard for him as an attorney and a person. He is probably the most skilled trial attorney I have ever met, and his success in winning multi-million dollar cases is the proof. He has a well-run firm staffed with top-notch professionals to manage his cases. Without reservation, I highly recommend James C. Buckley to anyone looking for an injury attorney. If I were ever personally injured, HE is the attorney I would ask to take my case. He is that good.
Ronald Ward, Personal injury Attorney on Jan 14, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. For at least 25 years I have been aware that Mr. Buckley is knowledgeable, talented, prolific, committed, devoted to his clients and obtains absolutely outstanding results for them. I highly recommend him and his law firm. RON WARD
James Andrus, Litigation Attorney on Jan 14, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mr. Buckley is a giant in the profession. He is a caring person and routinely focuses on the needs of others. He has and continues to participate significantly in the success of others within the profession. We have worked together to help younger lawyers. He selflessly operates to benefit others any way he can. His articulate assessments of performance, reasonableness of approaches, and ability to map specific plans of credible action to benefit his clients show significant wisdom and reflect his magnificent heart and good sense. Mr. Buckley’s presence exerts a very positive influence on friends and colleagues alike. His attention to engaging diverse people, willingness to work many hours, and the respect that he shows others, all testify to his seriousness of purpose and strong personal values. He is one of my heroes within the legal community
James Dore, Personal injury Attorney on Jan 11, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have known Mr. Buckley for many years from working as fellow attorneys in the Western Washington legal community. He is very knowledgeable and professional, and I endorse him.