John J. Woolard Associate

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As a trial litigator and appellate advocate, John brings a keen focus to understanding the unique goals and objectives of his clients, crafting collaborative strategies tailored to each distinct situation. His background in litigation, mediation, arbitration, and appeals affords him a comprehensive perspective, offering a bird’s eye view of the legal landscape.

John represents clients at both trial and appellate levels across the nation, with a client portfolio comprising corporations and various organizations across a broad spectrum of subject matters. His experience spans state and federal courts, where he has demonstrated first-chair proficiency in winning critical, contested hearings. Notably, his meticulously crafted briefs have contributed to setting legal precedents in appellate cases.

Actively involved in the legal community, John is a leader in the Virginia Bar Association. He shares his expertise by presenting at seminars on a range of legal topics and has made notable contributions through published works.

Before joining McGuireWoods, John served as a law clerk to the Honorable Rhesa Hawkins Barksdale of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit from 2018 to 2019 and the Honorable Virginia Emerson Hopkins of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama from 2017 to 2018. This unique experience further enriches John’s legal acumen, adding depth and insight to his already impressive legal career.

Experience

  • Represented closely-held corporation in bet-the-company shareholder dissolution litigation.
  • Provided counsel and legal representation to developers in land use matters.
  • Represented large publicly traded entity in shareholder valuation case.
  • Represented individual and institutional trustees in fiduciary litigation relating to high net worth individuals and trust beneficiaries.
  • Counseled businesses seeking recovery of losses from their insurance carriers.
  • Provided advice and counsel to corporations and individuals regarding litigation perspectives in the context of corporate transactions.
  • Represented borrowers and lenders in special receiverships for troubled properties.
  • Represented amici curiae before appellate courts.