. Joseph G. Gousse

+A skilled legal researcher, writer, and strategist, Joe takes pride in being a steward of the Berman & Simmons legacy. For years a “student” of Jack Simmons’ Maine Tort Law, he relishes practicing at what he considers the ‘bellwether of legal knowledge’ in the Maine bar. Approaching his work with a critical eye and scrupulous attention to fine detail, Joe is a natural fit for working on high-stakes claims involving complex legal issues. Joe specializes in personal injury and sex abuse cases.

As the team prepares a case or readies itself for the rigors of a courtroom trial, Joe is called upon to dig into the facts of a claim and map out a legal strategy. His gift as a research and writing specialist equips him to anticipate what arguments the opposition might present, and how best to counter them. Although it’s complex and often time-consuming work, there is little about Joe’s role he finds more gratifying than developing a novel theory to move a case toward a successful outcome.

In maintaining the firm’s tradition of excellence in legal research and writing, Berman & Simmons seeks attorneys with exemplary skills and experience. They found that, and more, in Joe. As part of the firm’s ‘behind-the-scenes’ intellectual resources, he plays a critical role in providing the analytical skill set necessary to build a legal foundation that will stand up to scrutiny in high-pressure situations.

Warm, engaging, and patient, Joe excels at explaining complex legal concepts to clients in plain language that breaks down barriers. He attributes his success in communicating with clients to his belief that they deserve to know and can handle the truth. By recognizing and honoring where clients are at in their journey, Joe can tap into how they can be an integral part of their winning team.

Joe is a graduate of the University of New England and the University of Maine School of Law. While in law school, Joe served as the Head Case Note & Comment Editor of the Maine Law Review, was a Teaching Assistant for the Legal Writing Program, and was presented with the Wernick Prize for Legal Writing—awarded each year to a graduating student in recognition of outstanding legal scholarship. He has also spent time as a Legislative Researcher for the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission and remains active in the realm of academic legal research and writing concerning matters of tribal sovereignty in Maine (a matter of great personal interest and importance to him). In addition to his practice, Joe has served as a professor in Maine’s Community College System where he taught Business Law and Legal Research and Writing.

Joe has contributed his legal research and writing skills in many complex, high-profile cases to help secure settlements and verdicts for clients.

Notable Verdicts & Settlements:

• $4 Million Settlement for a client arising from child sex abuse in the 2000’s

• $2.5 Million Settlement for a client arising from child sex abuse in the 1970’s

• $1.5 Million Settlement for a client arising from child sex abuse in the 1980’s-1990’s

• $1.5 Million Settlement arising from motor vehicle wrongful death

• $1.4 Million Settlement for a client arising from child sex abuse in the 1990’s

• $1.2 Million Settlement for a client arising from a dangerous/defective product

• $1.2 Million Settlement for a client arising from motor vehicle wrongful death

• $750,000 Verdict for a client arising from serious injuries sustained on unsafe premises

• $700,000 Settlement for a client arising from serious injuries sustained in a slip-and-fall on ice

• $622,500 Verdict for a client arising from serious injuries sustained in a trip-and-fall

• $500,000 Settlement for a client arising from child sex abuse in the 1970’s

• $350,000 Settlement arising from institutional wrongful death

• $250,000 Settlement arising from child sex abuse in the 1980’s

• $200,000 Settlement for a client arising from child sex abuse in the 1970’s