James R. Sweetser

  • Profile
Bio
James R. Sweetser founded Sweetser Law Office. Sweetser's law practice concentrates primarily on auto accidents, product liability, catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death claims in both State and Federal Courts. Prior to forming his injury litigation and trial law firm, Mr. Sweetser served as Spokane's elected Spokane County Prosecutor where he oversaw every prosecutorial unit in Spokane County. As the former elected prosecutor, he has had a large number of high-profile trials in both criminal and civil cases. Since leaving the prosecutor’s office, he has worked exclusively with personal injury clients, including auto accidents and wrongful death victims.

Mr. Sweetser stays up-to-date on cutting-edge trial presentation techniques by participating in trial seminars across the nation. He has earned major recoveries for families in a broad range of serious personal injury, and wrongful death matters. His product liability actions include claims for defective vehicle design. He has represented the families of wrongful death victims due to government negligence, nursing home abuse, and reckless driving. He also has represented numerous victims in car accidents involving trucks, motorcycles, and pedestrians.

Sweetser's achievements for his clients include outstanding recoveries in cases arising from construction accidents, trucking negligence, maintenance of traffic failures, auto accidents and insurance coverage disputes. He has obtained major recoveries for victims of dog attacks, and negligent security cases. He has been successful against some of the biggest and most well-funded corporations and toughest attorneys in Spokane.

James Sweetser has five children all born in the Spokane area. His family has long ties to the community dating back to his father. He enjoys fishing and spending time at the lake with his family. He also likes to attend the Spokane Indians, Spokane Chiefs, Gonzaga Bulldogs, and on occasion the Seattle Seahawks games.

Mr. Sweetser graduated from Brown University in the Ivy League, where he earned a scholarship for college basketball. He completed his legal training at Gonzaga University of School of Law. As District Court Deputy Prosecutor, from 1984-1999, James R. Sweetser served the people of the area, taking on various legal duties at the Spokane County Prosecutor's Office.

During his 14 years as a prosecutor, he participated in 275 criminal trials and argued 22 cases before the State Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. None of these trial convictions were reversed on appeal. Some of his roles included: Juvenile Court Deputy Prosecutor, Supervisor of Property and Vehicles Crime Unit, Senior Attorney and Supervisor of the Major Crimes Unit, and Elected Spokane County Prosecutor.

Education

  • Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, 1980
  • Juris Doctorate from Gonzaga University School of Law, Spokane, Washington, 1984
  • James R. Sweetser is also one of the few Gerry Spence Trial College and Keenan-Ball Trial College certified.

Professional Associations

  • American Association for Justice
  • Washington Association for Justice (Eagle Member)
  • Gerry Spence Trial College
  • Keenan-Ball Trial College