"There's a way to do it better. Find it." – Thomas Edison

JAMES GOODNOW

James Goodnow is Fennemore’s CEO and Managing Partner. Nearly two decades after starting his career at the firm as a file clerk, he became the youngest known chief executive of a major law firm in the U.S. He holds his JD from Harvard Law School and dual management certificates from MIT, where he was an enrolled MBA student before pivoting to the University of Cambridge Business School (U.K.), where he earned a master’s degree in entrepreneurship. He earned a BS at Santa Clara University, where he graduated first in his class.

During his time as CEO, James has focused on positioning Fennemore for the future. He has helped lead the M&A teams that have resulted in the opening of nine new offices around the U.S. — allowing the firm to better serve its business client base. Fennemore’s upward trajectory led to it being named the #1 firm in the U.S. for year-over-year revenue growth according to the 2023 American Lawyer Am Law 200 rankings (45.6%). He has collaborated with his colleagues to implement new technology and data analysis tools that have given the firm and its clients an edge. He has chaired the firm’s diversity and inclusion council and championed and worked closely with his teammates to launch new firm programs and initiatives that have had a palpable impact on the firm and industry. He and the firm’s senior leadership team believe in listening carefully and always putting people first — a philosophy that contributes to the firm’s industry-leading retention and job-satisfaction statistics.    

James is known for his thought leadership at the intersection of law and business. He has been featured on the cover of The American Lawyer (“Meet the New Boss … James Goodnow Shows What the Firm of the Future Might Look Like”), and ABA Journal named him one of “America’s Techiest Lawyers.” Apple profiled James on Apple.com and in a worldwide “Apple in Business” ad campaign. He is a contributor to Forbes and writes a law firm management, leadership, and innovation column for Above the Law. He is the co-author of Motivating Millennials: How to Recognize, Recruit and Retain the Next Generation of Leaders, which debuted at #1 on Amazon in the business management new release category. 

James is chair of the board of directors for the National Kidney Foundation of AZ and serves on the board for Make-A-Wish® AZ. He is married to his high school sweetheart and is the proud father of two children. Outside of the office, James can be found riding his road bike, hiking, or playing golf with his family. He enjoys wine because it’s about people, culture, history, science, and relationships. He’s a Level I sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers. 

Education

  • J.D., Harvard Law School
  • Master’s Degree, University of Cambridge Business School (United Kingdom), Entrepreneurship
  • MIT Sloan School of Management, Dual Certificates in (i) Management & Leadership, and (ii) Strategy & Innovation
  • Harvard Business School, Management Certificate (“Becoming a Better Manager,” HBSO)
  • B.S., summa cum laude, Santa Clara University (graduated first in class)
  • Certified Mergers & Acquisitions Professional (M&AP), Institute for Mergers, Acquisitions and Alliances (IMAA)
  • Certified International Mergers & Acquisitions Professional (IM&A), Institute for Mergers, Acquisitions and Alliances (IMAA)
  • Phi Beta Kappa
  • Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society
  • Alpha Sigma Nu Honor Society

Areas Of Practice

Experienced, forward-thinking advocates who go beyond the expected for clients in dispute prevention and resolution.

Our business and finance attorneys represent national, regional and local clients participating in significant transactions.

Our business attorneys recognize and appreciate the value of entrepreneurship and innovation, and are committed to providing efficient, straightforward and business-oriented solutions that facilitate success and avoid pitfalls while recognizing early capital is precious and expensive.

OTHER EXPERIENCE

  • Commercial Contingency Litigation
  • Litigation

Awards and Honors

  • Best Lawyers in America®, 2017-2024
  • Southwest Super Lawyers®, General Litigation, 2021
  • Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona, AZ Big Media, 2020
  • AZ Business Leader 2020, AZ Business Magazine, 2020
  • Southwest Super Lawyers®, Business Litigation, 2019-2020
  • Benchmark Litigation, 40 & Under Hot List, 2018-2021
  • Lifetime Achievement, America’s Top 100 Attorneys®, 2019
  • Top 100 LawyersAZ Business Magazine, 2019
  • Benchmark Litigation, Future Star, 2019
  • AZ Business Leader, AZ Business Magazine, 2018
  • Phoenix Magazine, 40 Under 40, 2018
  • Southwest Rising Stars®, 2015-2018
  • Benchmark Litigation, Top Litigator Under 40, Future Star, 2017
  • Top Valley Lawyers – North Valley Magazine, 2013, 2015
  • Southwest Rising Stars®, Business Litigation, 2012
  • Phoenix Business Journal: 40 Under 40 honoree, 2010
  • Newsweek, 20 Leaders
  • American Society of Legal Advocates: 40 under 40 list
  • National Trial Lawyers: 40 under 40 list
  • Legal Network: “Top Attorney”
  • AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated (the highest rating available), by Martindale-Hubbell

Articles and Presentations

Professional and community activities

  • Member, State Bar of Arizona
  • Member, Board of Directors, National Kidney Foundation of Arizona (Immediate Past Chair)
  • Member and Class Captain, Brophy Prep Alumni Association
  • Member, Board of Directors, Make-A-Wish® Arizona
  • Former Judge Pro Tempore, Maricopa County Superior Court
  • Former Member, Board of Directors, Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Admissions

  • Arizona
  • New York
  • District of Columbia (inactive)
  • Colorado
  • Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, District of Arizona
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit