Jim K. McGough

Jim K. McGough is a trial attorney.  He focuses his practice on defending those arrested and charged with crimes under Nebraska or Federal law.  He has over twelve years of experience as a criminal defense trial lawyer, and has successfully tried numerous trials before juries and judges. 

After working as a partner for two previous law firms, Mr. McGough started McGoughLaw, P.C. L.L.O. in 2002, using a unique team approach for the preparation and presentation of cases set for trial.  His cases have involved a wide variety of criminal offenses, ranging from DUI and driving offenses, to high profile cases involving drugs and allegations of sexual assault or misconduct.  Recently, Mr. McGough was interviewed for a documentary set to air on PBS and the BBC regarding how drug crimes are handled in federal court. 

In addition to his successful trial work, Mr. McGough has been asked to be a presenter at seminars for other criminal defense attorneys and has published articles in statewide publications for defense lawyers.  He previously served as the Madison County Bar Association Treasurer, and is currently a member of the Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys, and the American Trial Lawyers Association.  He has tried and presented cases all across the State of Nebraska and in the Northern and Southern Federal District Courts in Iowa.

In 1999, Mr. McGough represented a client injured by pesticides against a chemical manufacturer that resulted in one of the largest product liability verdicts in the State of Nebraska.  Although his focus is on handling criminal matters, he has also successfully tried cases involving personal injury, disputed business matters, and domestic relations.

Mr. McGough has argued and presented cases to the Nebraska Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.  He is admitted to attorney practice in Nebraska, Georgia, and Iowa.  He is also admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska and the United States Supreme Court. 

Mr. McGough obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of St. Thomas and attended law school at the Creighton University School of Law. 

Bar Admissions:

• Georgia, 1996
• Iowa, 2007
• Nebraska, 1997
• U.S. District Court for Nebraska, and the Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa
• Nebraska Supreme Court
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
• U.S. Supreme Court

Education:

• J.D., Creighton University School of Law (1996)
• B.A., University of St. Thomas (1993)

Memberships:

• Madison County Bar Association (Treasurer, 2000-2001)
• Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association
• American Trial Lawyers Association
• Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys
• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Reported Cases

• U.S. v. SANTANA, 524 F.3d 851 (8th Cir. 2008)
• U.S. v. SANTANA, 520 F.3d 871 (8th Cir. 2008)
• U.S. v. ARRELLANO-GARCIA, 471 F.3d 897 (8th Cir. 2006)
• CASTILLO v. RIDGE, 445 F.3d 1057 (8th Cir. 2006)
• BERTE v. ASHCROFT, 396 F.3d 993 (8th Cir. 2005)
• MEFFERD v. SIELER & CO., 267 Neb. 532 (2004)
• STATE v. AGUILAR, 264 Neb. 899 (2002)
• EYL v. CIBA-GEIGY CORP., 264 Neb. 582 (2002)
• STATE v. DUPSKY, 10 Neb. App. 650 (2001)
• STATE v. BAUE, 258 Neb. 968 (2000)