Chris Jackman is the founding father of The Jackman Legislation Agency, a observe devoted to private harm, mass torts, intercourse abuse, and immigration legislation.
Raised in Dallas, Texas, Chris’s dedication to justice stems from early experiences in group service, which formed his empathetic and client-focused strategy to legislation. After incomes his undergraduate diploma from Texas A&M College, a grasp’s diploma from the College of Wisconsin, and his legislation diploma from Creighton College, the place he served on the legislation assessment, Chris started his authorized profession with a mission to champion the rights of these dealing with vital challenges.
Since establishing his agency in Seattle in 2014, Chris has efficiently secured almost $50 million in settlements for his shoppers. Recognized for his strategic advocacy and clear communication, he has earned recognition as a Tremendous Lawyer a number of instances. Past his skilled achievements, Chris is dedicated to empowering future authorized professionals and supporting his group by way of scholarships and professional bono work.
Outdoors the courtroom, Chris Jackman enjoys enjoying tennis, scuba diving, and touring along with his household. His dedication to balancing skilled excellence with private well-being underscores his holistic lifestyle and legislation, making him a revered determine in his area and an advocate for significant change.
How do you strategy the problem of staying present in a consistently altering authorized panorama?
The authorized area is dynamic, and staying up to date is crucial. I dedicate time every week to studying authorized journals, case updates, and information about legislative adjustments. I additionally attend seminars and webinars to have interaction with different authorized professionals and achieve numerous views. I encourage my group to do the identical and share insights so we’re collectively outfitted to sort out rising challenges. Studying is a lifelong course of in legislation—it retains us sharp and ready for no matter comes subsequent.
What impressed you to give attention to private harm and mass tort legislation?
I’ve all the time felt drawn to areas of legislation the place I might make a tangible distinction in folks’s lives. Private harm and mass tort circumstances usually contain people who’ve suffered by way of no fault of their very own, dealing with immense challenges. Representing these shoppers offers me the possibility to advocate for justice and assist them rebuild their lives. It’s extremely rewarding to know that the work I do can present not simply compensation but additionally a way of closure for individuals who’ve been wronged.
How do you handle the emotional toll of dealing with delicate circumstances, like these involving abuse or extreme harm?
It’s not straightforward, and it takes acutely aware effort to take care of a wholesome steadiness. I remind myself that my position is to supply assist and advocacy, which requires a transparent head and a gradual hand. Common train, mindfulness practices, and spending high quality time with my household assist me decompress. I additionally make use of peer networks the place I can focus on difficult circumstances with colleagues who perceive the emotional impression. It’s about channeling empathy into efficient motion with out letting the load of the circumstances overwhelm you.
What recommendation would you give to somebody contemplating legislation faculty at the moment?
First, know why you need to pursue legislation. It’s a demanding profession that requires ardour and dedication. Take the time to discover totally different areas of legislation throughout faculty to seek out your area of interest—there are such a lot of paths, from felony protection to company legislation. Develop sturdy communication expertise as a result of the flexibility to articulate your ideas clearly is invaluable. Lastly, construct a community of mentors and friends; they’ll be your assist system all through your profession.
How do you make sure that shoppers really feel heard and understood in the course of the authorized course of?
Listening is the inspiration of any sturdy attorney-client relationship. I all the time begin consultations by letting the consumer share their story with out interruptions. It’s essential to know not simply the authorized information but additionally the emotional and private context of their state of affairs. I make it a degree to clarify the authorized course of in plain phrases and usually test in to deal with their questions and considerations. Transparency and empathy go a good distance in making shoppers really feel valued and supported.
Are you able to describe a pivotal second in your profession that formed your strategy to legislation?
Early in my profession, I labored on a case the place the chances had been closely stacked in opposition to my consumer. It was a steep studying curve, and we in the end didn’t win. However that have taught me the significance of preparation and resilience. It additionally bolstered the necessity to join with shoppers on a human stage, as my consumer’s gratitude for my efforts left a long-lasting impression. That case formed my philosophy of being each a talented litigator and a compassionate advocate.
What position does mentorship play in your skilled life?
Mentorship has been extremely essential in my journey, each as a mentee and as a mentor. I’ve benefited from the knowledge and steering of seasoned attorneys who helped me navigate challenges early in my profession. Now, I make it a precedence to mentor younger attorneys in my agency. Sharing information, providing recommendation, and seeing them develop is rewarding. It’s a technique to give again to the career and make sure that the following technology of attorneys upholds excessive requirements of ethics and excellence.
How do you deal with conflicts of curiosity or moral dilemmas in your work?
Moral dilemmas require cautious consideration and a dedication to doing what’s proper. When conflicts of curiosity come up, transparency is vital. I disclose the state of affairs to all events concerned and search recommendation from colleagues or ethics boards if wanted. For me, sustaining my integrity and upholding the popularity of the career is non-negotiable. Taking the moral route may not all the time be the best path, nevertheless it’s the one that enables me to sleep at evening understanding I’ve performed the correct factor.
What do you imagine is probably the most missed ability for achievement in legislation?
Adaptability. The authorized panorama is continually evolving, with new legal guidelines, applied sciences, and societal adjustments shaping how we observe. Legal professionals who can adapt to those shifts whereas sustaining their core values have a major benefit. It’s not nearly understanding the legislation; it’s about making use of it creatively and successfully in a altering world. Being open to new instruments and approaches, like authorized tech or various dispute decision, can set you aside.
What legacy do you hope to go away behind within the authorized career?
I need to be remembered as somebody who balanced success with service. Past profitable circumstances, I hope my profession conjures up others to prioritize empathy, integrity, and a client-first strategy. If I’ve helped even a handful of shoppers rebuild their lives or mentored attorneys who go on to make significant contributions, that’s a legacy I’d be pleased with. The impression we make as attorneys isn’t simply within the courtroom—it’s within the lives we contact and the belief we construct.