McLeod, Scott D.

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 fifteen 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. Mr. McGough and one of his clients appeared in and were interviewed for the award winning documentary, “The House I live In” regarding the negative impact of mandatory minimum sentences in drug cases.

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 practice in Nebraska, Georgia, and Iowa. He is also admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, the United States District Court for the Northern and Southern District of Iowa, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals 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.