James E. Oliver - Tacoma, WA

Jim is a great guy! Very kind, compassionate, and definitely knows his stuff. If you’re looking for the best Personal Injury or Criminal Defense Lawyer near Tacoma, WA, then you've found the right place!

-Google Review by Marc C.

Jim is a founding partner at Durflinger Oliver & Associates, and he handles the firm’s most serious litigation. He combines sensibility, charisma and genuine concern for his clients to deliver exceptional results in state and federal courts.

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

State v. Wheeler. After 15 days of trial in two separate Assault 1 with Firearm Arm Sentencing Enhancement trials, the jury acquitted Jim’s client in 90 minutes. Jim then presented the Self-Defense portion of the case, which took the jury 15 minutes to affirm. The State was then obligated to pay over $120,000.00 - all of Mr. Wheeler’s defense costs and related expenses. An innocent man went free thanks to Jim’s hard work and polished trial skills.

Car v. Motorcycle. Jim recently recovered insurance policy limits in excess of $600,000.00 for his motorcyclist client who suffered a concussion after being struck by a car while stopped at an intersection. After representing insurance companies as well as many, many injured persons, Jim knows that not every case requires trial. In this car versus motorcycle case, Jim was able to draw on his extensive experience to negotiate an exceptional settlement for his client.

BACKGROUND

Jim’s path to becoming an exceptional trial attorney wound through a variety of valuable life experiences. He was a college athlete (University of California, Santa Cruz – Captain, Mens Volleyball), a soldier (Army Reserves), and an Assistant Attorney General who successfully prosecuted civil and criminal cases.

Additionally, Jim has 18 years of dedicated litigation experience in Municipal, District, Superior and Federal District Courts. Jim also has international experience that includes drafting nuclear safety regulations and presenting at United Nations workshops in Vienna, Western Samoa, and Singapore. He was also a presenter on enforcing the Palau National Marine Sanctuary Act in Koror, Palau where he applied that Act and the United Nations Convention Law of the Sea against illegal fisherman. Jim regularly consults with fishing companies in the Western Pacific to develop training plans for legal compliance with national and international maritime fishing laws.

Outside of work, Jim enjoys time with his Fiancé and their pets, running marathons (Marathon Maniac No. 1731), travel, and studying blockchain technology and cryptocurrency.