Education
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, CHICAGO SCHOOL OF LAW
Juris Doctor, 2014
BARD COLLEGE
B.A. Literature, 2010
Bar Admissions
• Washington
• Oregon
My name is Justin Leigh, and I am an independent attorney based in Goldendale, WA. My practice focuses on a broad array of legal services, including real estate transactions and litigation, estate planning, probate administration, land use and development, small business formation, and general civil litigation. I also handle constitutional and civil rights cases, including commerce clause and free speech claims, and provide landlord-tenant representation. In select cases, I offer criminal defense. My commitment is to provide high-quality legal services tailored to the unique needs of my clients, and I am proud to serve individuals, families, and businesses in the Goldendale area.
Prior to establishing my current practice, I had a diverse educational and professional background. I grew up in northern New Jersey and later moved to the Hudson Valley in New York, where I studied language philosophy and literary theory at Bard College, earning my B.A. in 2010. Soon after, I relocated to Chicago to attend the University of Illinois, Chicago School of Law, where I obtained my J.D. in 2014. During law school, I pursued my passion for brewing while balancing my legal studies, working for a brewery instead of clerking for judges. I tailored my legal education with a focus on transactional law, gaining hands-on experience by representing clients in the school’s business law clinic.
After passing the Illinois bar, I established a solo practice in Chicago, concentrating on foreclosure defense, real estate transactions, civil litigation, and bankruptcy filings. In 2016, my wife Jocelyn and I moved to Goldendale to pursue our dream of founding Dwinell Country Ales, a brewery specializing in farmhouse, wild, and sour beers. That same year, I was elected to the Goldendale City Council.
In 2019, I transferred my law license to Washington State and reestablished my solo practice. In 2020, I was contracted by the City of Goldendale to serve as its Land Use Planner, where I played a key role in drafting the City's updated Critical Area Ordinance and developing policies to help navigate the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today, I continue to offer comprehensive legal services, combining my experience in multiple areas of law with a deep commitment to my community. If you have any questions or are interested in a consultation, please feel free to reach out. I offer initial consultations at no charge.