One of Jim's favorite quotes is:
"For us, warriors are not what you think of as warriors. The warrior is not someone who fights, because no one has the right to take another's life. The warrior, for us, is one who sacrifices himself for the good of others. His task is to take care of the elderly, the defenseless, those who cannot provide for themselves, and above all, the children, the future of humanity."- Attributed to Sitting Bull
Double Board Certified Trial Lawyer in Albuquerque
As a Double Board Certified Trial Lawyer (in the State of Texas and Nationally), James (Jim) Wood represents individuals, children, and families against corporations, insurance companies, hospitals, and others that caused harm through neglect, indifference, malice, or greed.
"When corporations place profits above the safety and health of others, those corporations must be made to take responsibility for their conduct," Jim says. "When insurance companies refuse to pay legitimate claims, they must be held accountable."
Education
- University of Oklahoma College of Law with Honors
- Chief Articles Editor of the Oklahoma Law Review
- Member of the National Moot Court Team
- Board Certified as a Civil Law Trial Specialist- National Board of Trial Advocacy
- Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyers College- 2014
Awards and Recognition
One of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in New Mexico- 2011-2019
Selected for Inclusion in the Listing of Super Lawyers®
Listed in Super Lawyers in Personal Injury Law- 2014-2019
AV Martindale-Hubbell® Rating- Peer-rated for the highest ethical standards
Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations.
Jim is admitted to practice law in New Mexico and Texas. He is Board Certified as a Civil Law Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
He is also a Board Certified Civil Pretrial Practice Advocate by the National Board of Legal Specialization. In 2014, the Supreme Court of New Mexico appointed James to serve a member of the New Mexico Board of Legal Specialization.
In 2014, Jim graduated from Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyers College. The Trial Lawyers College is dedicated to preserving the right to trial by jury and to improving the skills of attorneys who fight for and protect the rights of ordinary people. Jim believes in the work of the Trial Lawyers College, and he contributes regularly to the college as a member of the Ranch Club.
Successful Case Results
- He has tried more than 30 cases to a jury, and he has settled more than 100 cases
- Jim has multiple verdicts and settlements of more than $1 million. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Jim is also a member of the American Association of Justice, and a Sustaining Member the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association.
Jim's Personal Philosophy
Jim believes the right to trial by jury--a right guaranteed by the Seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution and by the New Mexico Constitution--is a cornerstone of our democracy and of a free society. He believes that a jury trial is the only place where every person--rich or poor, male or female, black or white--can stand on equal footing with the largest, richest, and most powerful corporations.
Jim says: "The jury system is under constant attack from wealthy special interests who seek to avoid accountability to the public and to those they have injured. We must preserve this fundamental right."
One of Jim's proudest moments was representing injured workers against a meatpacking company. The meatpacker placed money over worker safety. The meatpacker was more concerned about profits than safety, and Jim held the meatpacker accountable.
Jim believes in "breaking bread" with clients on a regular basis. "To successfully tell a client's story to the jury requires me to walk in my client's shoes," Jim says.
Jim works hard to develop a close, personal relationship with each and every client. He personally participates in each client's case from start to finish. "Because we work so closely together, my clients become my friends," Jim says.
He knows that, when a client comes to him, the client has suffered a serious loss. He often spends time outside the office with clients getting to know them and their families. Jim provides his clients with his cell phone number. Fighting for justice is only part of his job. Listening and compassion are equally important.
Attorney Bio
Jim is an avid photographer. He uses black-and-white film rather than digital photography. “There’s something exciting and unique about using film,” Jim says. He especially enjoys street photography and photographing individuals. “You meet a lot of fascinating people when you take their pictures on the street,” Jim says.
He is always looking for the “decisive moment”—that brief moment in time that tells a story. New Mexico has many breathtaking landscapes and landmarks. Jim loves to film those as well. “There’s something spiritual about the mountains of New Mexico,” Jim says.
Jim was born and raised in Texas. His father was the legendary high-school football coach, Gordon Wood. Jim is often asked about the secret to his father’s success, and he always replies, “Do your job!” Gordon Wood insisted that every person who was on the team and involved with the team complete their assigned jobs.
If anyone couldn’t do the job currently, Jim’s father would replace them with someone who could. As Jim puts it, “My father did not believe in the ‘old college try’ and ‘doing your best.’ He believed in getting the job done period, with no exceptions; otherwise, you would be replaced.”
Many of the lessons Jim uses in the courtroom he learned on the gridiron. For example, football taught Jim the five P’s: Proper Prevention Prevents Poor Performance. Through his experiences as a football player, Jim learned about hard work, dedication, and taking responsibility for one’s actions. During Jim’s senior year in high school, he broke his hand in the first play of a game but refused to let it impact the team.
He played the entire game with a broken hand. As Jim explains, “My dad had no knowledge of my broken hand, but I finished the game because in my mind I was expected to do my job, period.” He applies this same mindset to his work as a trial lawyer. Rather than being a gifted orator or a brilliant legal mind, it’s Jim’s tenacity as a work horse that gets the job done.
On the other hand, Jim’s compassion for the underdog comes in large part from his mother’s example. Jim’s mother volunteered in a soup kitchen, worked in an after-school program for needy and underprivileged children, and taught Sunday School. My mother was a saint,” Jim says.
After spending regular vacations and much time with family and friends in New Mexico, Jim officially moved to New Mexico in 2008. Jim is a proud New Mexican. "I can't think of any place I would rather live than New Mexico," Jim says.
Jim's son, Ty, graduated from the University of New Mexico Law School. Ty is a trial lawyer at his father's law firm. "I'm thrilled working with Ty. He is fast becoming an outstanding trial lawyer.
Clients love Ty. I'm so proud of him.", Jim says. Jim's daughter just graduated from college and was an honor student. Jim could not be more proud of his children.
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