About Thom Goolsby
Dedicated to defending your rights with 34+ years of legal experience and a passion for justice.
Your Advocate in Criminal Defense & Personal Injury
Thom Goolsby owns and manages the Goolsby Law Firm, a North Carolina criminal defense and personal injury firm that serves clients in New Hanover and surrounding counties. An experienced trial lawyer and two-term state senator, Attorney Goolsby has 34+ years of experience advocating for and aggressively defending those who find themselves harmed in an accident or accused of criminal acts.
34+ Years of Legal Knowledge and Public Service
Educated at The Citadel, Golden Gate University, and the University of North Carolina School of Law, Thom Goolsby has a strong foundation on which to expand his personal injury and criminal law practice. With 34+ years of experience, he’s tried hundreds of criminal and personal injury cases and negotiated numerous personal injury settlements. Through his work as a North Carolina Senator, Chairman of the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee, and as a Commissioner on the North Carolina Crime and Courts Commissions, he has a keen view of how the legal system works in the state.
Practice Areas
Work Experience
- Goolsby Law Firm, PLLC, Owner & Manager, 1993-Present
- North Carolina Senate, 2010-2014
- Carolina Syndicated Columns, Writer, 1995-2014
- Campbell Law School, Adjunct Professor, 1994-2010
- North Carolina Governor’s Crime Commission, Legal Counsel, 1992-1994
- United States Marine Corps, Captain, 1984-1993 (including reserve time)
Notable Verdicts/ Settlements
- State v. Scaturro, Client found not guilty on DWI and careless & reckless charges
- State v. Pedersen, Case dismissed
- State v. Tucker, Client found not guilty on DWI charges
- State v. Flannery, Client found not guilty on DWI charges
- State v. Keen, Probation secured when the best pre-trial offer was 18 months active time
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
- Goolsby Law Firm, PLLC, Owner & Manager, 1993-Present
- North Carolina Senate, 2010-2014
- Carolina Syndicated Columns, Writer, 1995-2014
- Campbell Law School, Adjunct Professor, 1994-2010
- North Carolina Governor’s Crime Commission, Legal Counsel, 1992-1994
- United States Marine Corps, Captain, 1984-1993 (including reserve time)
AWARDS
- North Carolina Governor, Order of the Long Leaf Pine (State’s Highest Award)
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Million Dollar Advocate
- American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys, Client Satisfaction
- National Association of Distinguished Counsel, Nation’s Top One Percent
- Trial Lawyers Board of Regents, Litigator Award
- Avvo, Perfect 10 Ranking
EDUCATION
- University of North Carolina School of Law, Doctor of Jurisprudence, 1991
- Golden Gate University, Master of Business Administration, 1987
- The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, Bachelor of Arts, 1984
