James S Coon

James S Coon

Swanson Thomas & Coon β€’ Portland, OR
Employment & LaborEmployment LawInsurance

Is this your profile?

Claim it for free to update your information and connect with clients.

Claim Profile β†’

Contact

Email
Phone
(503) 912-7898
Address
Portland, OR, US

Professional

About

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.

About Employment & Labor Law

Employment and labor attorneys handle workplace legal matters including discrimination, wrongful termination, and wage disputes. They represent both employees and employers. Common matters include wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage disputes.

Credentials

Education
1977 Lewis & Clark Northwestern Law School JD - Juris Doctor 1971 Yale University
Languages
English | French

Recognition & Involvement

Awards
2015 2015 Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers 2014 2014 SuperLawyer, SuperLawyer 2012 2012 Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers 2011 2011 Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers 2010 2010 Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
Publications
2014 Trial Lawyer (OTLA) Calming the Waters: Appellate Collegiality 2013 Trial Lawyer (OTLA) Products Used with Other Products: The Duty to Warn of Foreseeable Use 2009 Trial Lawyer (OTLA) Medicare Liens in Liability Litigation: How Scary is this Really? 1997 Oregon State Bar CLE publication Labor and Employment Law, Public Sector
Associations
Oregon State Bar Member United States Supreme Court Bar Member Federal Circuit Bar Association Member United States District Court Member Oregon Supreme Court Bar Association Member
Speaking
2014 Oregon Trial Lawyers Association Spring Workers' Compensation CLE Workers Compensation Practice 2014 Oregon Trial Lawyers Association Social Security Section What Appellate Lawyers Hope Trial Lawyers Will Do in Social Security Hearings 2012 Willamette University Legal Writing Workshop Legal Research and Writing 2011 Product Liability CLE The Punitive Damages Claim: Substantive Law and Appellate Review 2010 Oregon Trial Lawyers Lunch Speaker Series Medicare Liens in Third Party Litigation
Updated: Mar 08, 2026