James Gottschalk

Principal – Attorney

Practice Areas: Commercial Vehicle Accidents, Construction Accidents, Premises Liability, Product Liability, Professional Liability, Medical Malpractice, Wrongful Death, Environmental Exposures, Significant Property Damage, Employment Liability Issues and Real Estate

An advocate for obtaining the best possible result for his clients, whether it be through settlement or trial.
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Jim Gottschalk GOT Web
Jim Gottschalk GOT Web

About Jim

Attorney In St. Louis, MO

With more than 30 years of experience as a trial lawyer, Jim still thrives on the advocacy he practices every day on behalf of his clients. Jim has defended individuals and companies in civil litigation with more than 60 trials in State and Federal Courts in Missouri, Illinois and Kansas. He has defended cases involving employment liability issues, real estate, commercial vehicle accidents, construction accidents, environmental exposures, premises liability, product liability, professional liability, medical malpractice, significant property damage and wrongful death.

Jim received his B.S. in Business Management from Illinois State University in 1981 and received his JD in 1984 from Washington University School of Law. Jim was admitted to the Bar in Illinois in 1984 and the Bar in Missouri in 1985. He is also admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court in the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri, the Central and Southern Districts of Illinois and the District Court of Kansas. Jim has argued cases in the Appellate Courts in both Missouri and Illinois and has appeared before the Kansas Supreme Court. Outside of the office, Jim enjoys traveling with his wife Karen, teaching Sunday school and spending time with puppies Madeline and Munroe.

Background

Education:
Illinois State University
Washington University School of Law

Professional:
Vogler and Associates
National Supermarkets
Kosta and Associates
Firemans Fund Insurance Company
CNA Insurance Company

Associations

  • Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
    • Chair, Trial Section 2020 – 2022
    • Member, Board of Governors, 2022 – present
  • Lawyers Association of St. Louis
  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers

Licensure

  • Missouri
  • Illinois
  • US District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri
  • US District Court for the Southern and Central Districts of Illinois
  • District Court of Kansas

Lectures and Publications

  • Missouri Bar presentation on “What to do Before the Trial”
  • National Business Institute presentation on “Duties and Standards Owed to Insured and Insurer”
  • Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis presentation on “ABC’s of Trial Preparation”
  • St. Louis Bar Journal article on “What to do Before Trial”

Case Results

  • Clarence Housh, et al. v. City of Parkville, et al.; 6 day Bench Trial in Platte County, MO involving alleged damages to a neighboring homeowner from collapse of a retaining wall; Defense Verdict for client engineering firm.
  • Festus Crystal City Elks Lodge v. Crystal City Properties, et al.; 5 day Jury Trial in Jefferson County, MO involving alleged damages due to water runoff from neighboring commercial property; Directed Verdict at the Close of All of the Evidence for client surveying company.
  • Govreau v. Nu-Way Concrete Forms; Jury Trial in Jefferson County, MO involving serious burns from a gas tank fire on a compact tractor backhoe; Defense Verdict for client rental company.
  • Walkenhorst v. Montgomery Elevator Company, et al.; 2 week Jury Trial in the City of St. Louis involving two wrongful death claims and post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of an elevator fire; Defense Verdict for client metal refinishing company foreman where plaintiffs asked jury to return a verdict of $62 million.
  • Glaser v. Bussen Quarries, et al.; 2 week Jury Trial in the City of St. Louis involving silicosis exposure; Defense Verdict for client quarry.
  • Neuhoff v. Swyear Amusement; Jury Trial in St. Clair County, IL involving alleged injuries from a carnival slide; Defense Verdict for client amusement company.
  • Schlemer v. Fru-Con, et al.; Jury Trial in Madison County, IL involving alleged fall on construction material; Defense Verdict for client construction management company.
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