Member
Litigation
J.D. West Virginia University
B.A. Washington & Lee University
Office:
Charleston, WV
(304) 353-8143
Biography
Jace Goins has more than 20 years of courtroom experience with a litigation practice focused on health care, specifically, protecting the interests of physicians, long term care facilities and hospitals; HIPAA/health care privacy; medical device product liability; workplace injury; and governmental tort liability. In addition, Jace has experience with the West Virginia Mass Litigation Panel involving multi-year, complex toxic tort litigation with 100+ plaintiffs and multiple defendants. Jace also regularly represents lawyers accused of legal malpractice. Jace manages every aspect of complex litigation from pre-suit due diligence through discovery and, finally, trial. He has tried numerous cases to verdict in both state and federal courts. His clients appreciate Jace’s calm and steady demeanor as he helps them navigate complex disputes. His standing in the legal community has earned him Martindale-Hubbell’s prestigious “AV” rating, which signifies that peers rank him at preeminent levels of legal ability and professional ethics. Jace was also named by Chambers USA as one of “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” in the areas of Litigation: Medical Malpractice Defense.
Memberships & Awards
Professional
Peer Review Rated AV (Preeminent) by Martindale-Hubbell Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business – Litigation: Medical Malpractice Defense (2016, 2022 – Present)The National Order of BarristersDefense Research InstituteDrug and Medical Device Committee, Defense Research InstituteMedical Liability and Health Care Law Committee, Defense Research InstituteTrial Tactics Committee, Defense Research InstituteProfessional Liability Committee, Defense Research InstituteDefense Trial Counsel of West VirginiaKanawha County (West Virginia) Bar AssociationChief Justice, West Virginia University School of Law Moot Court BoardMember of West Virginia University School of Law National Moot Court Team1999 Graduate of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA), Boulder, CO
Key Experience
In 2019, obtained a defense jury verdict on behalf of a hospital accused of breach of contract and West Virginia Patient Safety Act violations in a southern West Virginia trial venue that has historically been challenging for corporate defendants
Obtained a defense jury verdict on behalf of a county school board accused of negligent supervision of students resulting in a fight and serious injuries to students on school property
Obtained summary judgment in complex civil litigation based upon qualified immunity and litigation privilege, on behalf of a West Virginia state agency accused of kidnapping a child
Work Experience
1995 Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
Speaking Engagements
"Building a Defense for Your Healthcare Organization," Panel Discussion Member, West Virginia Society for Healthcare Risk Management Summer Conference, August 2020Trends in West Virginia Medical Malpractice Litigation and 2019 Legislative Update, West Virginia Society for Healthcare Risk Management Spring Conference, June 2019"The Times They Are A-Changin': Update on Recent West Virginia Legal Decisions Affecting Long Term Care Providers in Litigation," West Virginia Health Care Association Annual Meeting, May 2012