A skilled legal researcher, writer, and strategist, Joe approaches his work with a critical eye and scrupulous attention to fine detail. When the stakes are highest and a case demands mastery of complex legal issues, his analysis is integral to developing a winning strategy. Joe specializes in sex abuse, catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, and premises liability claims. He also has a track record as an experienced and winning appellate practitioner.

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. 

Selected Notable Successes:

• $4.5 Million judgment arising from child sex abuse in the 1970’s;
• $4 Million settlement arising from child sex abuse in the 2000’s;
• $2.5 Million settlement arising from child sex abuse in the 1970’s;
• $2 Million judgment arising from adult sex abuse in the 2020’s;
• $1.5 Million settlement arising from vehicular wrongful death;
• $1.5 Million settlement arising from child sex abuse in the 1980’s-1990’s;
• $1.4 Million settlement arising from child sex abuse in the 1990’s;
• $1.2 Million settlement arising from dangerous/defective product;
• $1.1 Million judgment arising from child sex abuse in the 1970s;
• $1 Million judgment arising from child sex abuse in the 2010s;
• $850,000 settlement arising from child sex abuse in the 1990s;
• $750,000 verdict arising from unsafe residential premises;
• $700,000 settlement arising from slip-and-fall on ice;
• $622,500 verdict arising from trip-and-fall;
• $500,000 settlement arising from child sex abuse in the 1970’s;
• $500,000 settlement arising from child sex abuse in the 2020s;
• More than $7 Million recovered across other sex abuse cases.

Honors & Recognitions

Joseph Gousse has been recognized by Super Lawyers® as a Rising Star for 2025, an honor awarded to outstanding attorneys who have demonstrated professional achievement and peer recognition early in their legal careers. This distinction is reserved for a small percentage of attorneys in each state and reflects Joseph’s growing reputation as a skilled and dedicated advocate for individuals injured through no fault of their own.