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Joel O. Wooten Jr.

Joel O. Wooten Jr.

Location:
Columbus, Georgia
Phone:
706-322-1990
800-233-4086 (Toll Free)
Fax:
706-323-2962
E-mail:
JOEL O. WOOTEN, JR.  B.B.A., Magna Cum Laude, 1972, University of Georgia; J.D. 1975, University of Georgia.  Member, University System of Georgia Board of Regents, 1999-2006, Chair 2004-05, Vice Chair 2003-04; President, Columbus Lawyers Club, 1988-89, Executive Committee, 1984-93; President, Columbus Younger Lawyers Club, 1984-85, Executive Council, 1980-83; Younger Lawyers Section, State Bar of Georgia, Executive Council, 1983-97, and Chair, 1990-91; General Practice & Trial Section, State Bar of Georgia, State Bar Statewide Judicial Evaluation Committee, Member 1993- 2007, Co-Chair 1997-1999, Chair 1999-2007; Vice Chair, State Bar Federal Courts Liaison Committee 1999-2007.  Recipient of the Tradition of Excellence Award from the State Bar of Georgia, 2000. Fellow Lawyers Foundation of Georgia; Chair, Conference of State and Local Bar Leaders 1991-92, General Practice Section, American Bar Association; ABA National Constabar Leader of the Year Award 1993; Chairman, Russell Moot Court Competition; Executive Committee, University of Georgia Moot Court Board.  Vice-President, University of Georgia Young Alumni Council, 1981-83; Board of Managers, University of Georgia Alumni Society, 1981-83 and 1989-91; University of Georgia Law School Association Council, 1997-99; Board of Directors, Georgia Center for Law in the Public Interest, 1992-93; Who's Who in America, Who's Who in American Law; GTLA Vice-President, 1994-97; Member, American Bar Association; State Bar of Georgia; Association of Trial Lawyers of America; Federal Bar Association; American Judicature Society; Roscoe Pound Foundation; Georgia Trial Lawyers Association; and Columbus Trial Lawyers Association.  Admitted to practice in Georgia, Joel has served as lead counsel in numerous cases including medical malpractice, product liability and motor vehicle cases.  He has experience handling all types of litigation including class action, commercial, pharmaceutical, toxic tort and environmental cases.

Areas of Practice

  • Environmental
  • Class Actions

Litigation Percentage

  • 90% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions

  • Georgia, 1975
  • U.S. District Court Middle District of Georgia, 1976
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia, 1990
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit, 1981
  • Georgia Court of Appeals, 1975
  • Supreme Court of Georgia, 1975

Education

  • University of Georgia School of Law, Athens, Georgia
    • J.D. - 1975
    • Honors: Chairman, Russell Moot Court Competition
    • Honors: Executive Committee, Moot Court Board
  • University of Georgia, Athens, GA
    • B.B.A., Banking and Finance (Magna Cum Laude) - 1972

Honors and Awards

  • Georgia Trend - 100 Most Influential Georgians, 2005
  • James Magazine - Most Influential Georgians, 2005
  • Georgia Super Lawyers, 2007 - 2011
  • Recipient, Tradition of Excellence Award, State Bar of Georgia, 2000
  • Fellow, Lawyers Foundation of Georgia
  • National Constabar Leader of the Year Award, American Bar Association, 1993
  • Who's Who in America
  • Who's Who in American Law

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • University System Georgia Board of Regents, Chair, 2004 - 2005
  • University System Georgia Board of Regents, Vice Chair, 2003 - 2004
  • University System Georgia Board of Regents, Member, 1999 - 2006
  • Columbus Lawyers Club, President, 1988 - 1989
  • Columbus Lawyers Club, Executive Committee, 1984 - 1993
  • Columbus Younger Lawyers Club, President, 1984 - 1985
  • Columbus Younger Lawyers Club, Executive Council, 1980 - 1983
  • State Bar of Georgia, Younger Lawyers Section, Executive Council, 1983 - 1997
  • State Bar of Georgia, Younger Lawyers Section, Chair, Executive Council, 1990 - 1991
  • State Bar of Georgia, General Practice & Trial Section, Chair 1990-1991, Executive Council 1983-1998
  • State Bar of Georgia, Member, Statewide Judicial Evaluation Committee, 1993 - 2007
  • State Bar of Georgia, Co-Chair, Statewide Judicial Evaluation Committee, 1997 - 1999
  • State Bar of Georgia, Chair, Statewide Judicial Evaluation Committee, 1999 - 2007
  • State Bar of Georgia, Vice Chair, State Bar Federal Courts Liaison Committee, 1999 - 2007
  • State Bar of Georgia, Bar Center Committee, 1995 - Present
  • State Bar of Georgia, Advisory Committee on Legislation, 1999 - Present
  • ABA Conference of State and Local Bar Leaders, Chair, 1991 - 1992
  • American Bar Association, General Practice Section
  • University of Georgia Young Alumni Council, Vice-President, 1981 - 1983
  • University of Georgia Alumni Society, Board of Managers, 1981-1983 and 1989-1991
  • University of Georgia Law School Association Council, 1997 - 1999
  • Georgia Center for Law in the Public Interest, Board of Directors, Founding Member, 1992 - 1993
  • Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Vice President, 1994 - 1997
  • American Bar Association, Member
  • State Bar of Georgia, Member
  • Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Member
  • Federal Bar Association, Member
  • American Judicature Society, Member
  • Roscoe Pound Foundation, Member
  • Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Member
  • Columbus Trial Lawyers Association, Member
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