Driving appeals with plain English and logically compelling interpretations

James Goldschmidt helps clients litigate and win complex appeals by crafting clear, persuasive legal briefs and arguments. Combining deep appellate experience with a focus on energy law and environmental litigation, James advises on:

• Appellate matters, including trial support and critical motions practice
• Energy regulatory matters
• CERCLA contribution litigation

Never settling for legalese where plain English will do, James drives home the points that matter most to clients. With court submissions now routinely reported in the media, clients appreciate that James’ writing sends a clear message to courts and the public alike. James also excels at interpreting statutes and relevant legal decisions in ways courts have not considered.

James chairs the firm's Appellate Practice Group.

Bar Admissions

• Wisconsin

Education

• Harvard Law School (J.D., 2012)

• Harvard University (A.B., summa cum laude, 2009)
  • Phi Beta Kappa Society 
  • Thomas Temple Hoopes Prize (Outstanding Scholarly Work or Research)

• "Avoiding and Defending Class Actions Part One: Business Claims"
• "But No One Argued That: Sua Sponte Decisions on Appeal"
• "But No One Argued That: Sua Sponte Decisions on Appeal"
• "Championship Litigation: Procedural Three-Pointers"
• "Returning the 'Civil' to Civil Litigation: Strategies for Dealing with Difficult Opposing Counsel in Discovery and Deposition"
• "Speakers from Practice: Appellate Advocacy"
• "The Ultimate Sanction: State High Court Affirms Liability Judgment for 'Egregious' Discovery Violations"
• Near-Absolute Choice of Forum: Supreme Court Further Strengthens Forum Selection Clauses
• Quarles & Brady 2019 Appellate Year in Review
• Quarles & Brady Appellate Year in Review - 2018
• Recovery Guarantied? WI Supreme Court Clarifies Guarantor Credits in Mortgage Foreclosures
• The Demise of Chevron: End of an Era or More of the Same?

Seminar

• Annual National Quarles & Brady Legal Ethics Seminar
• Annual National Quarles & Brady Legal Ethics Seminar Replay
• Annual National Quarles & Brady Legal Ethics Seminar Replay
• Annual National Quarles & Brady Legal Ethics Seminar Replay
• Quarles' Annual Legal Ethics Seminar (2022 Program Replay)