Emphasis of Practice
Mr. Perkins is a seasoned litigator, focusing on civil trials and practicing law since 1978. He has trial experience in many fields, which among others include insurance defense, coverage disputes, personal injury, breach of contract, lender liability, premises liability, agricultural cases, probate disputes, environmental, employment, malpractice, landlord/tenant, dissolution, and product liability. He has tried cases in state court in Yakima, Benton, Klickitat, Chelan, king, Douglas, and Spokane counties as well as occasionally federal district and bankruptcy courts in Eastern Washington. Additionally, Jim has argued over 30 cases before the Washington Court of Appeals and Washington Supreme Court. Prior to practicing in Washington, he worked at a law firm in San Francisco, where he represented multiple real estate companies as well as the National Football League. In addition to trials, Jim has appeared before numerous administrative agencies. He also has experience in family law, including divorce, custody and alimony proceedings.
Licensure & Associations
Memberships
- Washington State Bar Association
- Yakima County Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- California Bar Association
Admitted to Practice Before:
- All Washington State-Level Courts
- United States Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Washington
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
Washington State Defense Trial Lawyers Association
Yakima County Bar Association
Sunrise Rotary Club of Yakima
Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, Paul Harris Fellow
Yakima Tennis Club Association, Past Board Member
Career
Professional Service
Jim has often served on WSBA committees. As a partial list, his service includes the following:
- Judicial Recommendation Committee, 2003-2008
- Consumer Protection Committee, 2001-2003
- Court Improvement Committee, 1997-1999
- Fee Arbitration Committee, 1998-1999
- Court Improvement Committee, 1997-1999
- Legislative Committee, 1996-1997
- Judicial Recommendation Committee, 1991-1995
- Court Rules and Procedures Committee, 1993-1994
- Court Congestion Delay Committee, 1988-1990
- Young Lawyers Skills Training Committee, 1995-1997
Professional Awards & Acknowledgments
Jim Perkins was named to The Best Lawyers in America for 1991-1992.
Personal Life
Education
Jim Perkins received his bachelor’s degree from Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA in 1975. He graduated Cum Laude with his Juris Doctor from Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles, CA. While in law school, Mr. Perkins participated in Moot Court , Law Review, and received American Jurisprudence Awards in Trusts and Corporations.
Personal Activities
Mr. Perkins played on a nationally ranked water polo team while in college and won three conference championships. He is perhaps the most active and competitive member of the firm in sports today. Mr. Perkins has played in numerous USTA tennis tournaments, ranging from local events to national events in locales as far away as Phoenix, AZ. Similar to the other lawyers, he also enjoys fishing, hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities.