David M. Woods

David M. Woods is an experienced trial attorney with extensive first-chair trial experience, having tried numerous jury trials over the last 20 years. Many of these trials were within the last several years, where he has first-chaired a number of multimillion-dollar cases to very favorable results. David is also experienced in the complex regulatory and compliance schemes governing a variety of products, including e-cigarettes, traditional tobacco products, cannabis and CBD. David has represented clients in high-stakes regulatory matters and high-profile state and federal litigation throughout the country, and has served as national coordinating counsel and lead trial counsel for Fortune 500 companies. He has extensive experience in handling large-scale, multi-defendant disputes that involve highly complex legal and scientific issues. His cases have also involved significant rulings. One such case was litigated to the United States Supreme Court and resulted in a landmark ruling on punitive damage limitations. Another case was recognized by Missouri Lawyers Weekly in its list of most significant defense verdicts in 2006. David is a prior recipient of Missouri Lawyers Weekly Law Firm Leaders Award, which recognizes leaders who made the biggest impact to the law and legal world in the preceding year.

David received his B.A. in Biology from the University of Iowa and his J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law.

• Lead trial counsel for the tobacco industry in a wrongful death Engle Progeny trial in the US District Court, Middle District of Florida. The jury returned a favorable verdict, finding the plaintiff 75 percent at fault and awarded a small fraction of the damages requested
• Achieved a favorable result as first-chair trial lawyer in a three-week wrongful-death products liability trial
• Lead trial counsel in a complex, multi-defendant, multi-week wrongful-death case, and won a motion for a new trial based on improper conduct of opposing counsel during closing argument
• First-chair trial counsel in a two-defendant products liability case involving complex medical issues
• Tried first Engle Progeny tobacco case to jury verdict for a major tobacco company in Jacksonville, FL
• Trial counsel in a complex wrongful-death products liability case, received a defense verdict that was recognized by Missouri Lawyers Weekly in its list of the most significant defense verdicts in 2006
• Received a defense verdict in a five-week bifurcated jury trial in Brooklyn, New York involving alleged damages in excess of $5 million
• Member of the trial team that received a defense verdict in one of the first individual tobacco cases tried in New York City
• Member of the trial team in Williams v. Philip Morris, which was appealed to the United States Supreme Court and resulted in a landmark ruling on punitive damage limitations
• Counseled client in complex FDA and state-specific regulatory issues governing e-cigarettes and other tobacco products
• Represented client in high profile Congressional inquiry, and in related matters with various federal agencies