James H Wood
As a Board Certified Trial Lawyer, 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."
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.
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 is an avid photographer. Jim loves street photography and shooting pictures of New Mexico’s landscape.
Jim's father was the legendary high-school football coach, Gordon Wood. Jim played football for his father. Many of the lessons Jim uses in the courtroom he learned on the gridiron. Through his experiences playing football, Jim learned about hard work and dedication and about taking responsibility for one's actions. Jim learned from playing football the five P's: proper preparation prevents poor performance. Jim's mother volunteered in a soup kitchen, worked in an after-school program for needy and underprivileged children, and taught Sunday School. Jim's compassion for the underdog comes in large part from his mother's example. "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 is married to Barb Conlon Wood. Together, Jim and Barb have five children. 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 is a student at the University of Texas-Austin and an honor student. Barb has one son who lives in the San Francisco area, another son who lives in Los Angeles, and a daughter who lives in San Diego. Jim and Barb could not be more proud of their children.
Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer
Board Certified National Board of Trial Advocacy
Super Lawyers Personal Injury 2014-19
AV Rated Preeminent Attorney by Martindale-Hubbell
2014 Graduate of the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers’ College
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102
