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James Goodnow

Fennemore Law 2394 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 600 Phoenix, AZ 85016 Practice Area(s): Personal Injury, Civil Litigation call (602) 274-9662

Biographical Information Admission Dates & Jurisdictions Education Publications Service Activities

Biographical Information

James Goodnow is Fennemore Craig’s president and managing partner. The Harvard Law grad launched his career at the firm as a file clerk, learning about Fennemore’s 133-year-old tradition of client-first thinking from the inside out. His top priority is ensuring the firm empowers clients to grow their businesses and build their communities without the law getting in the way.

Innovation and technology are at the heart of how James drives his practice and the firm forward. As a litigator, James and his team have jettisoned written briefs in favor of iPad and virtual reality-based legal packages, collaborated with former Disney animators to create photorealistic CGI for case exhibits, and utilized 3D printing to bring abstract case ideas to life. As a firm leader, James has spearheaded initiatives related to time- and cost-saving artificial intelligence technology, entrepreneurial alternative-fee structures that align firm and client interests, and data analytics that achieve better, faster outcomes for clients.

Thanks to the success of these innovations, James Goodnow has gained recognition within legal and business communities. He has been featured on the cover of The American Lawyer (“Meet the New Boss … James Goodnow Shows What the Firm of the Future Might Look Like”), and ABA Journal named him one of “America’s Techiest Lawyers.” Apple profiled James on Apple.com and in a worldwide “Apple in Business” ad campaign. Attorney at Law Magazine has spotlighted James on its cover three times (most recently, “Smash or Be Smashed: Lawyer of the Year James Goodnow Discusses the Future of Law and Shattering Convention”). Martindale-Hubbell peer reviews describe James as “a brilliant advocate” and “dedicated to his clients.”

James is known for his thought leadership at the intersection of law and business. He is a contributor to Forbes, and he writes a legal innovation, leadership and management column for Above the Law. He is the co-author of Motivating Millennials, which debuted at #1 on Amazon in the business management category. He has appeared on or been covered by CNN, CNBC, Good Morning America, Today, Fox News, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the Financial Post, Entrepreneur, Inc., and many others.

The Phoenix native is a graduate of Brophy College Preparatory and received a BS from Santa Clara University, where he was elected Phi Beta Kappa and graduated first in his class. While at Harvard Law School, he honed his skills in the acclaimed Program on Negotiation. He now presents regularly on advanced negotiation and leadership.

James is dedicated to the community. He volunteers his time mentoring business owners on strengthening their enterprises. After recovering from a treatable form of kidney disease, he spearheaded The Kidney Challenge and became a board member of the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. James is also a member of the Board of Directors for Make-A-Wish® Arizona. He is the father of two beautiful children, and he is married to his high school sweetheart.

Admission Dates & Jurisdictions

  • Arizona, 2006
  • Washington, D.C., 2009
  • Illinois, 2013
  • Colorado, 2013
  • New York, 2015

Education

  • J.D., Harvard Law School
  • B.S., summa cum laude, Santa Clara University
  • Phi Beta Kappa
  • Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society
  • Alpha Sigma Nu Honor Society

Publications

  • A bi-monthly column on www.AbovetheLaw.com 
  • Quoted, “Law Firms Hiring CEOs Without Law Degrees Reignites Debate About Turning Over the Reins to Business Professionals,” ABA Journal, March 2019
  • Quoted, “Change is a Mantra for Law Firms, But Will They Tune in?” The American Lawyer, January 30, 2019
  • Interview, “Midsize Firms Used the Great Recession to Audition for Big Law’s Work,” The American Lawyer, January 11, 2019
  • Interview, “2019 Trends to Watch,” AzBusiness Magazine, January/February 2019
  • Interview, “Law Firm Leaders Speak,” Law 360, December 19, 2018
  • Interview, “Pop Quiz, Monday with James Goodnow, President and Managing Partner at Fennemore Craig,” Medium, November 5, 2018
  • Interview, “All About the Client: James Goodnow of Fennemore Craig, P.C.,” Hire an Esquire, November 2018
  • Interview, “Most Influential Phoenicians,” AZ Foothills Magazine, October 2018
  • Quoted, “Small Firm Struggles Make for Midsize Firm Growth,” Law.com, August 23, 2018
  • Interview, “Managing a Multigenerational Law Firm,” Practical Law Journal, August/September 2018
  • Quoted, “The Big Four Threat is Real. Are You Ready?” Law.com, August 3, 2018
  • Speaker, 2018 Legal Executive Forum, Thompson Reuters Legal Executive Institute, New York, New York, June 7, 2018
  • Quoted, “40 Under 40,” Phoenix Magazine, June 2018
  • Interview, “James Goodnow Breaks Ground as Millennial Leader in Law,” AZ Big Media, April 27, 2018
  • Interview, “Employers Say Accommodating Millennials is a Business Imperative,” SHRM, April 26, 2018
  • Interview, “Career Advice with James Goodnow, Managing Partner, Fennemore Craig,” LawJobs.com, March 26, 2018
  • Interview, “Exclusive: Tech-minded Millennial Named Big Law Firm CEO After Starting as File Clerk,” Phoenix Business Journal, March 7, 2018
  • Quoted, “The Millennial Who is Now Running an NLJ 500 Firm,” The American Lawyer, March 2, 2018
  • Interview, “The Next Frontier for Virtual Reality: Courtrooms,” Bloomberg Law, November 18, 2017
  • Quoted, “Millennials Won’t Destroy Your Law Firm. Can They Save It?” The American Lawyer, October 23, 2017
  • Quoted, “Martin Shkreli Should Have $5 Million Bail Revoked For Harassing Hilary Clinton, Others, Prosecutors Say,” The Washington Post, September 8, 2017
  • Quoted, “Increase Productivity With These 11 Tested Hacks,” active.collab, September 2017
  • Quoted, “Martin Shkreli is Found Guilty of Three of Eight Securities Fraud Charges,” The Washington Post, August 4, 2017
  • Quoted, “Martin Shkreli Faces Up to 20 Years in Prison. Here Are 6 Things to Know About His Trial,” Mic, July 31, 2017
  • Quoted, “Defense in ‘Pharma Bro’ Martin Shkreli Case to Rest Without Calling Witnesses,” The Washington Post, July 25, 2017
  • Interview, “Shkreli Has Days to Decide Whether to Take Stand at Trial,” Bloomberg News, July 21, 2017
  • Quoted, “Is President Trump Violating the First Amendment by Blocking Twitter Users?” Bigger Law Firm, July 19, 2017
  • Quoted, “Shkreli Trial Veers From Securities Fraud Evidence to Soap Opera,” Bloomberg News, July 17, 2017
  • Quoted, “The Fascinating Legal Argument at the Heart of the Martin Shkreli ‘Pharma Bro’ Trial,” The Washington Post, July 8, 2017
  • Quoted, “‘No Sanctuary For Criminals Act’ Up For House Vote,” ABC-15, June 29, 2017
  • Quoted, “Joe Arpaio, Once ‘America’s Toughest Sheriff,’ To Go On Trial,” CNN, June 26, 2017
  • Quoted, “Ten Ways To Survive and Thrive With Millennials in the Workplace – The Good, The Bad, and The Head-Scratchers,” New Boston Post, June 23, 2017
  • Interview, “Arpaio in Court to Face Charges,” ABC-15, June 23, 2017
  • Quoted, “Consider Work-Life Balance Issues Before Law School,” U.S. News & World Report, June 22, 2017
  • Interview, “Millennials Take Dynamite to Boardroom Myths About Their Generation,” Yahoo Finance, June 15, 2017
  • Quoted, “Has the American Dream Changed?” Builder, June 13, 2017
  • Quoted, “What You Can Learn From Comey-Trump Memo: ‘It’s Something Taught in Law School’,” Phoenix Business Journal, May 18, 2017
  • Quoted, “Millennial Employees Are a Lot More Loyal Than Their Job-hopping Stereotype,” CNBC, May 10, 2017
  • Quoted, “On ‘Sanctuary Cities,’ Trumpian Hyperbole Runs Up Against Legal Precision,” The Christian Science Monitor, April 28, 2017
  • Quoted, “David Dao Settles With United Airlines,” Yahoo News, April 27, 2017
  • Interview, “How Much Money Will David Dao Make From United Airlines?” International Business Times, April 14, 2017
  • Quoted, “Are Big Law Associates Less Concerned With Diversity Than Their Partners?” Bloomberg Law, April 14, 2017
  • Interview, “Bridging the Gap,” Uptown, April 2017
  • Quoted, “How Real Marketers Create Backlinks That Matter,” Entrepreneur, March 16, 2017
  • Quoted, “Ultimaker 3 and the Power of a 3D Printer in Business,”Forbes, March 15, 2017
  • Quoted, “Four Negotiation Tactics Leaders (And Lawyers) Can Use to Their Advantage,” Forbes, March 7, 2017
  • Quoted, “Trump’s New Travel Ban More Likely to Hold Up in Court But Legal Challenges Remain, Experts Say,” ABC News, March 6, 2017
  • Interview, “Legal and Political Issues Surrounding Attorney General Jeff Sessions,” ABC News, March 2, 2017
  • Quoted, “Does Virtual Reality Belong in the Classroom?”The Am Law Litigation Daily, February 24, 2017
  • Quoted, “Virtual Reality Is Heading to the Courtroom,” Vocativ, January 30, 2017
  • Quoted, “What’s in a Name For Trump’s Brands? Everything,” NBC News, January 24, 2017
  • Quoted, “Murder Case Will Test Privacy Rights of Amazon Echo Users,” The San Diego Union-Tribune, January 3, 2017
  • Interview, “Millennials Challenge Workplace Standards, Attitudes,” GoodCall, December 7, 2016
  • Quoted, “The Real Cost of Car Ownership,” Money Geek, October 31, 2016
  • Quoted, “Best LSAT Advice From Lawyers,” Magoosh LSAT Blog, October 27, 2016
  • Quoted, “Born In Between Generations? Here’s How it Can Help Your Career,” Fast Company, September 17, 2016
  • Quoted, “Arizona Water Parks Not Regulated by Government Inspections,” AZ Family, August 10, 2016
  • Quoted, “How to Prevent Millennials From Burning Out at Work,” CIO, August 10, 2016
  • Quoted, “Five Tips For Approaching the Media With Valuable Legal Commentary,” Forbes, July 14, 2016
  • Quoted, “Why Small Businesses Must Regulate Mobile Devices,” Tom’s IT Pro, July 11, 2016
  • Quoted, “How to Avoid the Worst Seat on the Plane This Summer,” The Washington Post, July 8, 2016
  • Quoted, “Brexit Vote’s Effect Unclear on Arizona Economy, But Some Impact Expected,” KTAR News, June 24, 2016
  • Quoted, “Does Your Personality Affect Your Earning Power?” Madame Noire, June 23, 2016
  • Quoted, “Did You Know? Some Websites Can Store Your DNA and Police Can Request it for Investigations,” ABC-15 Arizona, May 22, 2016
  • Co-Author, “Arizona Tort Law Handbook,” State Bar of Arizona

Service Activities

  • Member, Board of Directors, National Kidney Foundation of Arizona
  • Member and Class Captain, Brophy Prep Alumni Association
  • Member, Board of Directors, Make-A-Wish® Arizona
  • Former Judge Pro Tempore, Maricopa County Superior Court
  • Former Member, Board of Directors, Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
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