Jack Woodcock

Here’s why you’ll enjoy working with him.

Jack has over fifteen years of experience litigating complex, high-stakes cases where there are millions or even billions of dollars on the line. Even under these pressures, Jack remains cool and grounded during the most heated and stressful cases. His broad range of experience includes defending the United States in large civil suits in federal courts across the country, such as two bellwether suits brought by residents of Greater New Orleans for flood damages incurred in Hurricane Katrina. Jack has handled cases across a wide area of subject matters—large-scale flooding, construction, law enforcement, subrogation, environmental litigation, and corporate losses.

Across varied disputes, whether at the national or local scale, Jack brings his creative, multi-dimensional approach to every problem. His appreciation of every dispute is not limited to its nuts and bolts. He understands more than just the applicable legal framework and he has a firm grasp of its practical impact on a client’s interests.  Having tried multiple large and complex cases to verdict, Jack has extensive trial experience.  With this experience, Jack approaches each case with a clear understanding of how the pre-trial process ultimately plays out in the courtroom or arbitration hearing.

Representative Matters

• Obtained circuit-court reversal of summary judgment reinstating claims brought under the Carmack Amendment alleging over $175 million in damages stemming from the train derailment which destroyed the town of Lac Mégantic, Quebec.  Secured summary judgment on liability following remand to the district court.
• Represented Maine wild-blueberry grower in contract dispute against food processor in literal “bet-the-farm” litigation.  Following a seven-day trial, obtained a successful jury award of $1.75 million, including an award for claims discovered during the litigation.
• Following a three-week international arbitration hearing, obtained judgment on behalf of mechanical subcontractor against multi-national corporation arising from the construction of a combined-cycle power plant.
• Counsel for gasoline distributors in multi-district litigation related to purported groundwater contamination and natural resources damages allegedly resulting from methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) gasoline releases.

But that’s not all. Jack is also experienced in:

• Mass tort and environmental litigation
• E-discovery
• Bankruptcy-related litigation
• International and domestic arbitration

In his former life, Jack was:

• A trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Division, Torts Branch
• A law clerk for the Maine Supreme Judicial Court
• Staffer for the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

When Jack isn’t working, he is…

Spending time in the great outdoors running, cycling, nordic or telemark skiing, and, along with his wife, living the daily adventure provided by his two school-aged children.