James E. Banks - Seattle, WA
Attorney at Washington Auto Law
Lawyers in Seattle, WA
900 Aurora Avenue North Suite 100 Seattle, WA 98109
- 1 Super Lawyers®
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17
Years
Experience
Updated: 12/02/2025
Attorney Information
Overview
Background & Beginnings: James comes from Puyallup, Washington, a small farming town in the Northwest, where he was raised by his mother Claire and brother Jesse. James’ mother taught him the importance of loyalty and developing meaningful relationships with friends, family, and the community. James applies these virtues in his practice. He strives to develop close relationships with every person he represents and he takes pride in becoming their advocate.
Early in his legal career, James worked with the Access to Justice Institute, representing under-represented members of the Seattle community. In this position he experienced many injustices. His clients were low-income, mostly non-English speakers. These folks looked to James as their only source of help; they had nowhere else to go, nowhere else to turn. By fighting for these people, James began to understand that he could positively change peoples’ lives and make our community a better place to live.
He went on to work with the King County Council, addressing the concerns of citizens to effectuate positive change in our community’s health, safety, and quality of life. James was also chosen to work for the Seattle City Attorney’s Office, providing legal counsel on low-income housing development and community growth management.
By the time he graduated from law school, James’ had found his calling: champion justice for injured people.
James was born and raised in the northwest of Washington and he spends much of his time working and fighting for the people that live in these communities, but he also represents injured people in cases across the country through associations.
Philosophy: James cares for every client as if that person were a family member, bringing a unique level of passion to his advocacy. As James prepares his cases, he walks a mile in his clients’ shoes. He invests his life visiting their homes, meeting their families, accompanying them on activities, attending their doctor appointments. He truly feels the loss that his clients feel. He has the ability to bring his clients’ stories to life in an effort to obtain full and fair justice for that individual.
He feels privileged for the opportunity life has given him: helping injured people obtain just compensation for their injuries by holding wrongdoers accountable for their actions. James only represents people, not corporate or government interests. James feels the positive impact his work has on making our community a better, safer place to live.
James earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science & Philosophy from the University of Washington with honor. He accepted a Presidential Scholarship to Seattle University School of Law, where he earned his law degree, graduating cum laude.
James’ often cited quote: “An injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Martin Luther King, Jr. (Letter from Birmingham Jail).
Memberships:
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
Washington State Bar Association
Washington State Association for Justice, Eagle
Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association
Education:
Seattle University School of Law, J.D., cum laude
University of Washington, B.A., with honors
Awards and Honors
Other Sources of Feedback About James E. Banks
Included on the 2026 Washington Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2025 Washington Super Lawyers list
- 2024 Washington Super Lawyers list
- 2023 Washington Super Lawyers list
- 2022 Washington Super Lawyers list
- 2020 Washington Super Lawyers list
- 2012 Washington Super Lawyers list
Education
Legal Education
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Seattle University School of Law, Seattle, Washington, 2009
J.D.
Honors: cum laude
Non Legal Education
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University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
B.A.
Honors: With Honors
Languages
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English
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Spanish
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Russian
Bar Admissions
- Washington, 2009
- U.S. District Court Western District of Washington, 2010
Photo
Contact
900 Aurora Avenue North
Suite 100
Seattle, WA 98109
Fax Number: (206) 285-9400
Website: http://www.4injured.com
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