About
C. CRAIG WOODS
Woods Law & Dispute Resolution, LLC
EDUCATION
Legal: J.D., University of Virginia, 1981
Undergraduate: A.B. (history), magna cum laude, Dartmouth College, 1978
ADMITTED TO PRACTICE
Ohio (1981); S.D. Ohio (1983), N.D. Ohio (1989), 6th Cir. (1985); U.S. Supreme Court (1987). Numerous pro hac vice admissions throughout U.S.
LEGAL EMPLOYMENT
2022-present: Woods Law & Dispute Resolution; founder and owner; firm focuses on mediation, arbitration, expert witness services and consultation in legal ethics, loss prevention and complex litigation.
1983-2021: Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP (fka Squire Sanders & Dempsey); Columbus office –equity partner (1991-2019), head of Columbus Litigation group (2015-18); ethics & loss prevention partner (1997-2021); various other client team and office leadership roles.
1981-1983: Law Clerk to the Hon. Robert M. Duncan, U.S. District Court (S.D. Ohio).
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers (inducted 2013; State of Ohio and Professional Responsibility/Legal Ethics Committees); ABA (Litigation, ADR, Legal Ethics Sections); Ohio State Bar Assn. (Litigation, Sr. Lawyers Sections); Columbus Bar Assn. (Federal Court, Common Pleas Committees); Federal Bar Assn. (Cols. Chapter and ADR Section); Dartmouth Lawyers Assn.
PRINCIPAL PRACTICE AREAS
General litigation, mediation and arbitration, with significant trial/ADR experience (as advocate or neutral) in mass/toxic tort defense, commercial/contract litigation; energy (land use litigation), environmental disputes; product liability defense, professional liability (malpractice defense); real estate (assessment, commercial lease, eminent domain). Consultation and service as an expert witness in complex litigation and matters involving legal ethics, loss prevention and professional responsibility.
REPRESENTATIVE CASES
Currently serving as mediator, arbitrator, settlement counsel, expert witness or consultant in several complex litigation matters and/or legal ethics issues. Began ADR service in 1993 as Settlement Week mediator for the Franklin County [OH] Court of Common Pleas; subsequently served in a similar role for the S.D. Ohio; acted as a private or court-appointed mediator in approximately 100 cases or disputes since then, including commercial disputes, employment matters, environmental claims, and complicated intra-family business disagreements. Handled numerous conflicts issues and potential claims involving former firm as ethics and loss prevention counsel; also consulted with or represented other firms in legal ethics matters, and testified as an expert in several professional liability cases involving alleged ethics violations. Tried, litigated or otherwise resolved hundreds of lawsuits over 40 years, including: DuPont C8 MDL (2012 – 2019) – core trial team member in toxic tort MDL involving ~3,500 plaintiffs; Enterprise ATEX Pipeline Project (2011-2013) –oversaw Ohio litigation for major ethane pipeline project; Little Hocking v. DuPont (2010- present) – trial counsel for DuPont in Ohio PFOA litigation; Merck/Ohio Vioxx Cases (2006-2007) – served as Ohio counsel for Merck in defense of Vioxx cases; TRW Automotive Product Cases, including Viggiano v. Ford (D. S.C. 2005) – led trial team to defense verdict in PL case against leading seat belt manufacturer; ODI v. KPMG Bermuda – successful defense of malpractice action arising from failure of Credit General Ins. Co.; DuPont v. Okuley (6th Cir. 2003) – affirming declaratory judgment in genetic patent ownership dispute; Sierra Club v. Columbus (S.D. Ohio 2003) – obtained dismissal of citizens suit under CWA;Handwell Co. v. CSXT (S.D. Ohio 1999) – lead trial counsel for CSXT in CERCLA private cost recovery action; Firestone v. Galbreath (S.D. Ohio, 1995) – successfully defended large law firm in complex fraud/conspiracy case; City of Washington v. Ohio Water Service Co. (Fayette Cm.Pl. 1993) – lead trial counsel in condemnation case which resulted in award of $10.4 million to client, a private water utility; FDIC v. Roy (D.Md. 1991) – member of trial team which recovered $21.5 million for FDIC in action against former officers & directors of failed thrift.
AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS
Listed in Best Lawyers in America, various categories, including “Bet-The-Company Litigation” and ADR, 2006-present (Columbus Lawyer of the Year, 2020); Ohio Super Lawyers, 2006-present (“Top 50” in Columbus, 2010, 2012; Environmental Litigator of the Year, 2013 & 2016); and Legal 500 U.S.(Product Liability). Community Service Award, Olentangy Schools, 2004. S.D. Ohio Mediation Award, 2003. “Meeting the Challenge” Award, DuPont Legal, 2001. Named to Law 360 Legal Ethics Editorial Advisory Board, 2020.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Action for Children (pro bono counsel, 1998-2001); Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio (board member, 1992-95); Olentangy Rotary Club (charter member, director, past president, 1995-2015); Olentangy Rotary Foundation (founder, charter board member, 2004-2015); Olentangy Local Schools Development Committee (member, 1997- 2007); Olentangy Education Foundation (board member, 1999-2005); Dartmouth Club of Central Ohio (Executive Committee, 1985-1989, alumni interviewer, 1985-2012); volunteer and pro bono counsel, Flying Horse Farms (2013- 2020).
SELECTED ARTICLES & PRESENTATIONS
“Common Conflict of Interest Issues”, speaker, SS&D University, Miami, FL, September 2005.
“Effective Written Advocacy”, presentation for SS&D Summer Associates, 2000-2005 (annual event), including handouts of selected material on subject.
“Ethical Concerns for New Associates: Conflicts, Confidentiality, Client Investment & Other Career-Limiting Gestures”, speaker, SS&D New Associate Orientation, 2001-2008 (annual event)
“Ethical Concerns for Summer Clerks: Client Confidentiality & Other CLGs”, speaker, SS&D Summer Associate Seminar, 2001-08 (annual event).
“Ethical Overview for Associates”, featured speaker at Brownbag Lunch session for Columbus office associates, 9/21/16 (see outline).
“Ethical Toxins: Conflicts of Interest Issues for In-House Counsel”, speaker, 2014 Chemicals Roundtable for General Counsel, Washington, D.C. (with PowerPoint slide presentation)
“Negotiation Strategies for Women [Attorneys]”, panelist, Ohio CLE Institute, 6/23/94.
“New Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct – Highlighting Some Changes in Ohio Ethics Law”, presentation delivered at SS&D Ethics, Professionalism and Substance Abuse CLE Seminar, 12/13-14/2006 (Columbus and Cleveland).
“To Speak or Not to Speak: New Duties (and Quandaries) Under the New Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct”, presentation delivered at SS&D Ethics, Professionalism and Substance Abuse CLE Program, 12/10-11/2008 (Columbus and Cleveland).
“Facebook, Blogs and Other Virtual Traps: The Risk of Accidental Clients and Unanticipated Duties”, speech and written materials presented at SS&D Ethics, Professionalism and Substance Abuse CLE Program, 12/8 and 12/9/09 (Columbus and Cleveland).
“Clash of the Titans: Lawyer Duties of Confidentiality Versus Lawyer Duties of Disclosure”, presentation (video and live) and written materials for Squire Sanders Ethics, Professionalism and Substance Abuse CLE Program, 12/6/11 (Columbus) and 12/7/11 (Cleveland). Program also available on Cognistar and other online CLE providers.
“A Tale of Two Summers: Tension Between Confidentiality and Conflicts in Hiring”, presentation (video and live) and written materials for Squire Sanders Ethics, Professionalism and Substance Abuse CLE Program, 12/4/12 (Columbus) and 12/5/12 (Cleveland).
“Case Note: Ohio City Pays $10.4 Million to Appropriate Privately Held Water System”, ABA Committee on Condemnation, Zoning and Land Use, Summer 1994 Newsletter.
“Cost-Effective Commercial Litigation”, Business Law Journal, November 1999.
“Memo to Young Lawyers” Please Write (Well)”, Bar Briefs (Columbus Bar Assn.), December 2001.
“Winning Through Collaboration, A White Paper by the DuPont Collaboration Task Force”, unpublished, 2000.
PERSONAL
Born Laredo, Texas (2/9/56). Married (Carole Watkins); five daughters.
