Drawing on nearly two decades of experience, Jay McEntire is a trial lawyer who has represented hundreds of clients in courts across the country.

His education and experience have Washington roots. Jay began as a federal law clerk for the Honorable Edward F. Shea in Eastern Washington. He later spent nearly fifteen years at the Federal Defenders of Eastern Washington and Idaho. There, Jay served as the senior litigator, standing next to clients charged with complex federal crimes including robbery, fraud, money laundering, terrorism, and first-degree murder. His dogged litigation won many case dismissals for his clients; it brought accountability to the government officials who abused his clients; and it changed the way courts and agencies practice. Jay took many cases to trial, all of which resulted in partial or complete acquittals—an achievement against the odds given federal prosecutors have a 99.6% conviction rate.

In addition to helping clients achieve their goals, Jay also teaches at the local and national levels. Locally, he has taught trial advocacy, advanced federal criminal procedure, and advanced legal writing at Gonzaga University School of Law, receiving awards for his commitment to teaching and public service. Nationally, he teaches about persuasive psychology and legal writing, speaking to tens of thousands of attorneys at events hosted by law schools, law firms, state government agencies, and the United States Courts.

Over the years, Jay has also served on various judicial committees, including the Conference Executive Committee for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which plans programs for federal judges and federal court practitioners. His love and aptitude for writing led him to serve as Editor-in-Chief of My Little Red Rules Book, a nationwide publication on federal courtroom practice, and to help rewrite the rules governing federal court practice. He attended college at Whitman and law school at Seattle University.

Jay joined Connelly Law Offices to work with a talented team focused on helping clients achieve their goals—no matter the odds.

Beyond work, Jay loves skiing, biking, triathlon, and all things grammar.

REPRESENTATIVE CASES

• Chen v. Department of Children, Youth, and Families, No. 16-cv-1877 (W.D. Wash. 2025). Represented mother against the State of Washington for wrongfully removing three-year old autistic child from parents’ custody and causing mother to be falsely prosecuted for criminal neglect. After trial, jury returned total verdict of $7 million for family, the largest wrongful-removal verdict in state history. (Seattle Times: Washington department wrongly removed boy from family’s home, jury finds).
• R.T. et al., v. Geo Group Inc., et al., No. 26-2-05940-9 (Pierce Cnty. Sup. Ct. 2026). Representing multiple immigration detainees against Defendant Geo Group, a for-profit company whose employees physically and sexually assaulted the plaintiffs. (Read the Complaint here.) (News Coverage: King 5: Detainees sue GEO Group, allege sexual assaults, beatings and cover-ups at Tacoma ICE facility; The Seattle Times: Lawsuit accuses WA ICE detention center staff of assault, sexual abuse).
• J.G. et al. v. Mead School District No. 354, No. 24-2-05564-32 (Spokane Sup. Ct. 2024) ($1.8 million settlement). Representing victims of sexual assault, racial discrimination, and civil rights violations. (Spokesman-Review: Former Mead football players file lawsuit against school district for alleged assaults, bullying, racial discrimination); (KREM2 News: Lawyers speak on alleged Mead High School football program assaults).
• A.L. v. United States of America, No. 24-cv-06580 (N.D. Cal. 2024) (ongoing). Representing sexual-assault victim in largest federal prison sexual-assault conspiracy case in U.S. history. (Spokesman-Review: Spokane woman details widespread sexual misconduct at now-shuttered California prison).
• Estate of Joseph Verville v. Chelan County et. al., No. 24-cv-010 (W.D. Wash. 2024). Represented family in a civil rights and negligence action against the Chelan County Regional Justice Center and its staff based on an in-custody death. Case resolved for $3.25 million.
• TB et. al. v. Spokane County Juvenile Detention Center, No. 25-2-05271-32 (Spokane Sup. Ct. 2025) (ongoing). Representing victims of childhood sexual assault. (Read the complaint; Lawsuit alleges decades of child sexual abuse at Spokane County Juvenile Detention Center Lawsuit alleges 30 years of ongoing sexual abuse by Spokane County Juvenile Detention Center guards | Non-stop | khq.com
• J.M. v. United States et. al., 1:25-at-1011 (E.D. Cal. 2025). Representing victim sexually and physically assaulted by prison guards at facilities run by the federal Bureau of Prisons. (Read the Complaint.) (National Public Radio (NPR), A guard punched him on camera. It was still nearly impossible for him to sue (July 13, 2026))