Jace H. Goins

Member

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.

Representative 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
Defended medical device manufacturers in products liability matters, including in the areas of surgically implanted pain pumps, and in the vaginal mesh multi-district litigation
Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a West Virginia state agency accused of conducting an improper adult protective services investigation in complex civil litigation based upon qualified immunity
Regularly represents attorneys accused of legal malpractice
Obtained reversal of a $1.4 million default judgment entered against a corporate client in WV Circuit Court via appeal of the default judgment to the WV Supreme Court of Appeals

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Licensed In

Kentucky
West Virginia

Education

J.D. West Virginia University College of Law

B.A. Washington & Lee University

Memberships

Member, Board of Directors, West Virginia Society for Healthcare Risk Management
West Virginia Health Care Association
West Virginia Hospital Association
Member, Board of Directors, Education Elevators
West Virginia University Alumni Association
Washington & Lee University Alumni Association
Leadership Charleston Alumni Association
Friends of Clay Center (Charleston, WV)
Delta Tau Delta Fraternity
The Order of Barristers, WVU College of Law
Defense Research Institute
Drug and Medical Device Committee, Defense Research Institute
Medical Liability and Health Care Law Committee, Defense Research Institute
Trial Tactics Committee, Defense Research Institute
Professional Liability Committee, Defense Research Institute
Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia
Kanawha County (West Virginia) Bar Association
Chief Justice, West Virginia University School of Law Moot Court Board
Member of West Virginia University School of Law National Moot Court Team
1999 Graduate of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA), Boulder, CO
Peer Review Rated AV (Preeminent) by Martindale-Hubbell

Achievements

The Best Lawyers in America®, Litigation – Health Care (2025), Litigation – Insurance (2025), Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants (2025)
Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business – Litigation: Medical Malpractice Defense (2016, 2022-Present)

Speaking Engagements

“Building a Defense for Your Healthcare Organization,” Panel Discussion Member, West Virginia Society for Healthcare Risk Management Summer Conference, August 2020
Trends 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

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