Jessica Goldman is an experienced litigator and legal advisor who counsels clients in high-stakes First Amendment, Public Records Act, and general business litigation. Highly skilled in oral advocacy, she has substantial experience litigating at all levels of the Washington State courts, as well as the Western District of Washington and before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
With a strong track record of winning cases on summary judgment, clients know Jessica as a creative and aggressive advocate and smart, thorough legal advisor. From the earliest stages of an engagement, she focuses on enabling her clients to make informed decisions about case strategy and tactics and resolving disputes consistent with her clients’ legal and business objectives. Jessica’s extensive experience includes:
First Amendment and constitutional litigation. Jessica represents media organizations – including newspapers, broadcasters, and publishers – as well as public entities in First Amendment and other constitutional litigation. She has represented clients in cases involving defamation, commercial speech, privacy, access, prior restraint, reporters’ shield laws, newsgathering torts, and other claims. She also provides pre-publication counsel to newspapers, publishers, and others concerned with risks related to defamation and invasion of privacy claims.
Public Records Act litigation. Jessica defends public entities sued for violation of the Public Records Act, which requires that public records kept by state and local agencies in Washington be made available to members of the public.
General litigation. Jessica has advised on business and commercial disputes involving a broad range of claims: breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, business fraud, false advertising, consumer protection, racketeering and tortious interference as well as corporate disputes among owners and shareholders, business divorces, homeowners association disputes, intellectual property disputes (including trademark, trade secret, and copyright infringement claims), and other business torts. In a 48-day trial, Jessica successfully defended a parent wrongly accused of medical child abuse by doctors at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Clients. Jessica’s clients include the Washington State Legislature, the City of Seattle, The Seattle Times, The Stranger, The Portland Mercury, the Bellevue School District and Seattle University as well as book authors, publishers, public agencies throughout the State of Washington, homeowners’ associations, and other entities.
Updated Aug 2024
