James S. Coon

Jim was born in Chicago in 1949. He worked as a construction laborer, apprentice plumber, dishwasher, golf caddy, and parking attendant during high school and college. He graduated from Yale University in 1971 and the Lewis and Clark Law School in 1977, having served as Editor-in-Chief of the law review. He spent a year as a law clerk to the Hon. Robert C. Belloni in Federal Court before beginning private practice.

Jim has devoted his practice since 1978 to representing individuals, labor unions and non-profit public interest groups against government agencies, employers and insurance companies. He is a past chair and long-time member of the Oregon Trial Lawyers association Amicus committee. He has taught at Lewis and Clark Law School and speaks at conferences for lawyers on punitive damages, product liability, appellate practice, social security and the coordination of public and private disability benefits.

Jim is a member of the Bars of the Oregon Supreme Court, United States Supreme Court, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and United States District Court. He has served on the boards of the Northwest Environmental Defense Center, Oregon Environmental Council, Portland Sustainability Commission, and Community Cycling Center.

He performs irregularly at Artichoke Music. Jim and his wife Cheryl live in Northwest Portland and ride their tandem bike to work.

Practice area focus: Personal Injury, Appellate, Social Security Disability, Public Sector Labor Law, Coordination of Complex Benefits, Legal Malpractice