Overview
When employers face challenging workplace discrimination or employee mobility claims, attorney Jim Goodman’s results-oriented approach resolves matters quickly and efficiently. Jim has spent the past several decades litigating disability discrimination, wrongful termination, wage and hour, and sexual harassment claims in state and federal courts.
He also prosecutes and defends numerous unfair competition and trade secret actions. Having experienced how all types of cases play out in court, he uses that insight to his client’s advantage when working toward their desired outcomes. Though every case is different, he can easily spot the weaknesses and strengths of each case. His best advice is the advice he can provide early.
Jim takes an equally proactive approach to ensuring employment policies and procedures are up to date and consistent across the company. As employers throughout the United States increasingly grapple with complex disability claims, he ensures in-house legal counsel and HR teams understand highly technical reasonable accommodations rules to avoid future litigation. When his clients need to make tough termination decisions, he provides clear advice to guide swift and compliant actions rooted in documented company policy. Clients also frequently call on Jim to help them explore the use of restrictive covenants in their hiring practices while weighing the risks against their future enforceability.
Focus Areas
Experience
- Served as lead counsel in the defense of a high-exposure meal period class action on behalf of a client in Los Angeles Superior Court. Jim persuaded the court to deny the plaintiffs' motion for class certification, and the court’s ruling was affirmed on appeal.
- Represented a publishing company in a case brought by a sales representative, wherein the California Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court's grant of a summary judgment motion in a hostile environment sexual harassment case. This decision established a favorable precedent for employers defending hostile environment harassment cases in California.
- Defended an international financial services firm against a claim for defamation and interference with contract in a 30-day FINRA arbitration, wherein the claimant was awarded no relief.
- Represented a multinational investment management corporation in a defamation action wherein the court granted defendants' motion for judgment on the pleadings, and the judgment was affirmed on appeal.
- Defended a multinational investment bank in an age discrimination action. Jim won summary judgment on the age discrimination claim, and the dismissal of the age discrimination claim was affirmed on appeal.
- Represented a multinational investment management corporation in a disability discrimination, gender discrimination, and retaliation action that was dismissed on a motion for summary judgment. All the dismissals, except for the retaliation claim, were affirmed on appeal. The retaliation claim was tried to a jury, and Jim secured a defense verdict.
- Defended an office services company in a disability discrimination arbitration. The arbitrator found in favor of Jim’s client on all claims.
Recognition
- The Best Lawyers in America©: Litigation - Labor and Employment (2020-2022, 2024, 2025)
Credentials
Education
- Loyola Law School (J.D., 1979)
- University of Oregon (B.S., 1975)
Bar Admissions
- California
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
Media
Events
Insights
Insights
- Firm Announcements
Epstein Becker Green Attorneys Honored for Excellence in the Legal Profession by Best Lawyers 2025
14 minute read - Firm Announcements
Epstein Becker Green Attorneys Recognized by 2024 Best Lawyers for Excellence in the Legal Profession
12 minute read - Firm Announcements
Epstein Becker Green Attorneys Recognized by 2023 Best Lawyers for Excellence in the Legal Profession
11 minute read - Firm AnnouncementsFifty-Eight Epstein Becker Green Attorneys Recognized for Professional Excellence–Three Attorneys Distinguished as ...7 minute read
- Firm AnnouncementsFifty-Five Epstein Becker Green Attorneys Recognized for Professional Excellence–Two Attorneys Distinguished as ...7 minute read
- BlogsCalifornia Supreme Court Applies Rule of Reason Test for “Business Only” Restrictive Covenants3 minute read
- BlogsCalifornia Court Whittles Down Claims Against StubHub4 minute read
- Firm Announcements
Forty-Seven Epstein Becker Green Attorneys Named by The Best Lawyers in America 2020, One Attorney Distinguished as "Lawyer ...
5 minute read - BlogsSecond Court Calls into Question Viability of Employee Non-Solicitation Agreements2 minute read
- BlogsCalifornia Court of Appeal Questions Continuing Viability of Employee Non-Solicitation Agreements8 minute read
- BlogsNinth Circuit Clarifies California Law Regarding “No Future Employment Provisions” in Settlement Agreements—But ...5 minute read
- Media CoverageJames Goodman Quoted in "Latham Win Hones Tool Against Malicious Prosecution Suits"1 minute read
- PublicationsWhat Will Not Work to Protect Trade Secrets or Enforce Non-Competes in California2 minute read
- PublicationsCalifornia Non-Competes: Things You Can Do "Around the Edges"2 minute read
- PublicationsCritical Importance of Realistically Identifying and Protecting Trade Secrets and Confidential Information2 minute read
- PublicationsEmployee Mobility and Trade Secret Protection in California: What Works and What Doesn't30 minute read
- BlogsTrade Secrets Injunction Spawns Intrigue, Alleged Threats, And Malicious Prosecution Actions6 minute read
- BlogsTrade Secrets Injunction Spawns Intrigue, Alleged Threats, And Malicious Prosecution Actions6 minute read
- Firm Announcements
Five Epstein Becker Green Attorneys in Boston and Stamford Named to 2016 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists ...
8 minute read - BlogsShould You Be Wary of the Overzealous Use of Trade Secret Claims?7 minute read
- PublicationsRestrictive Covenants: Do Yours Meet a Changing Landscape?37 minute read
- BlogsCalifornia Supreme Court Will Review Malicious Prosecution Claim Against Latham & Watkins4 minute read
- Firm Announcements
58 Epstein Becker Green Attorneys Named to 2015 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
7 minute read - BlogsCalifornia Court Of Appeal Holds That Party Seeking To Enforce Forum Selection Clause As To Unwaivable Statutory Rights Has ...8 minute read
- BlogsNo Future Employment Provisions In Employment Litigation Settlement Agreements May Violate California Law5 minute read
- BlogsCriminal Conviction Affirmed By Ninth Circuit For Trade Secret Theft4 minute read
- Firm Announcements
54 Epstein Becker Green Attorneys Named to 2014 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
6 minute read - BlogsCourt of Appeal Reinstates Malicious Prosecution Case Against Latham & Watkins6 minute read
- BlogsThe Enforceability Of Employee Non-Solicits Remains Unclear In California3 minute read
- BlogsPre-emption Under The California Uniform Trade Secrets Act4 minute read
- BlogsFailure To Define Trade Secrets Establishes Subjective Bad Faith For Attorneys' Fees Award Under CUTSA5 minute read
- BlogsCalifornia Federal Courts Enforce Forum Selection Clauses in Non-Compete Litigation4 minute read
- Publications
Enforcing Arbitration Agreements in California and Beyond, as appeared in Practice Law Company
1 minute read - BlogsCalifornia Court of Appeal Enforces Stipulated Injunction That Restricts Competition5 minute read
- BlogsCalifornia Court Invalidates Non Compete Tied to the Sale of Goodwill4 minute read
- PublicationsStandard Clause, Employee Confidentiality and Proprietary Rights Agreement (California), Published by Practical Law ...1 minute read
- PublicationsStandard Clause, Mutual Agreement to Arbitrate Employment-Related Disputes (California), Published by Practical Law ...1 minute read
- BlogsA Mere Good Faith "Suspicion" That Defendants Misappropriated Trade Secrets Is Insufficient To Establish Plaintiff Did Not ...3 minute read
- PublicationsStandard Clause, Mandatory Arbitration Clause (California), Published by Practical Law Company1 minute read
- BlogsLatham & Watkins Hit With Malicious Prosecution Suit After Unsuccessful Prosecution Of Trade Secrets Action4 minute read
- BlogsCalifornia Court Of Appeal Reverses Trial Court Order Compelling Disclosure Of Trade Secret Source Code5 minute read
- PublicationsTake 5: Views You Can Use - October 201113 minute read
- BlogsCalifornia Employer Held Liable For "Honoring" A Prior Employer's Unenforceable No-Compete4 minute read
- BlogsCalifornia Court of Appeal Recognizes Trade Secret Exception to Business & Professions Code §16600 in Recent Unpublished ...2 minute read
- PublicationsCalifornia Court of Appeal Questions Viability of Trade Secrets Exception to State's Broad Prohibition Against Noncompete ...4 minute read
- BlogsCalifornia Court of Appeal Questions Viability of Trade Secrets Exception to California's Broad Prohibition Against ...3 minute read
- BlogsCalifornia Court of Appeal Underscores Importance of Proper Identification of Trade Secrets in Litigation2 minute read
- Firm AnnouncementsEpstein Becker Green Launches Blog on Trade Secrets and Non-Compete Agreements2 minute read
- PublicationsCalifornia Supreme Court Expands Rights of Departing Employees to Solicit Former Employers' Customers6 minute read