Daniel Woods is a partner in the Commercial Litigation Practice and Chair of the Firm's Global Policies Committee. He has recently been honored with two California "Attorney of the Year" awards and a prestigious American Bar Association award, among other honors.

Mr. Woods practices complex business litigation throughout the United States. Much of his practice is for foreign clients with US litigation concerns and hehas considerable experience in the unique issues that often arise in global litigation.

Mr. Woods is an experienced trial lawyer. He tries jury and non-jury trials, including six trials in 2004, two trials in 2005, two in 2007, and one in 2010 and has considerable experience in appellate proceedings in both state and federal courts. He frequently represents clients in various forms of alternative dispute resolution including arbitrations and mediations and represents clients before various administrative agencies.

Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Woods was a law clerk for the Honorable A. Andrew Hauk, US District Court, Central District of California, 1977-1978.

Mr. Woods' recent trials include the following: 

• Won a two-week court trial in the Central District of California in July 2010 in a case challenging the constitutionality on due process and First Amendment grounds, of the US military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy (Log Cabin Republicans v. United States of America, 716 F.S.2d 884(C.D.Cal. 2010). 
• A seven-day jury trial in San Diego County Superior Court in January 2007 in an employment case. 
• A five-day court trial in Santa Barbara County Superior Court in June 2007 in a real estate purchase and sale agreement dispute. 
• A three-month trial in Kenai, Alaska, including claims of sexual abuse of minors by a minister. The case resulted in a very modest jury verdict of US$429,000 for five plaintiffs, reported to be the lowest verdict in a case of this type in the United States. 
• A lengthy trial in bankruptcy court in Fort Worth, Texas involving an alleged breach of a 15-year firm transportation service agreement for the transportation of natural gas. 
• Defending Bimbo Bakeries USA, a subsidiary of the largest commercial bakery in Mexico, in an action filed by 27 delivery drivers claiming status as employees and not, independent contractors. Plaintiffs sought more than US$70 million in damages for breach of contract and unfair competition. Upon winning two key motions, the majority of plaintiffs settled for modest sums. The trial involving the remaining plaintiffs lasted just two hours and ended with the court granting our motion for nonsuit.

Mr. Woods' current and recent cases include: 

• Successfully represented Wells Fargo Bank in an appeal in a lease dispute and reversed the trial court decision that had been entered against the bank. The case involved a dispute over rent for office space leased by the bank in the "Golden Triangle" area of Beverly Hills. While represented by other counsel, the trial court ruled against the bank and in favor of its landlord, effectively resulting in millions of dollars of additional rent. Hired to handle the appeal from the adverse trial court decision, Mr. Woods briefed, argued, and won the appeal, in September 2009, successfully reversing the trial court decision and ordering the trial court to enter judgment in favor of the bank. 
• Defending a California employer in a class action lawsuit alleging that the employer failed to pay its 24,000 California employees overtime wages, failed to provide meal breaks, failed to provide rest breaks, and committed other alleged wage and hour violations. 
• Defending a religious organization against claims of clergy misconduct. 
• Representing International Lease Finance Corp, one of the world's largest aircraft leasing companies, in the repossession of aircraft from delinquent airlines. Secured right to take custody of an Air Comet 747 at JFK airport. Once the defendants paid more than US$2 million in back rent, maintenance fees and attorneys' fees, the plane was return and the case dismissed.

Representative Clients
Clients he represents, or recently represented, include Bank of America, Bimbo Bakeries, Greek Orthodox Church, Habib American Bank, International Lease Finance Corporation, Manufacturers Bank, Mirant, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Samsung, The Salvation Army, Univision Music and Wells Fargo Bank.

Bars and Courts
California State Bar, 1977
US District Court for the Central District of California, 1978
US District Court for the Eastern District of California, 1978
US District Court for the Southern District of California, 1980
US District Court for the Northern District of California, 1981
US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 1978
US Supreme Court, 1981
US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, 1999

Education
JD, University of Southern California Law Center, 1977
AB, University of Southern California, cum laude, 1974

Professional Associations and Memberships
American Bar Association, Section on Litigation
California State Bar Association
Los Angeles County Bar Association, Litigation, Provisional and Post-Judgment Remedies, and Real Property Sections
Judge Pro Tem, Los Angeles County Superior Court, 1999 – present
Judge Pro Tem, Los Angeles Municipal Court, 1985 – 2000
Legion Lex, University of Southern California Law School alumni group: former President
Los Angeles County Bar Foundation, Board Member, 2000 – 2008, President, 2006 – 2007
Inner City Law Center, Board Member, 1999 – present; Board President, 2008 – present
Uncommon Good, Board Chairman, 2000 – present
Member, Chancery Club

Publications
Author, Annual Updates to "California Trial Practice: Civil Procedure During Trial," California Continuing Education of the Bar, 1998 - 2011
Co-author, Understanding the Repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, Aspatore Special Report, 2011
"Easy Cases Can Make Bad Law – Belaire-West Landscape and Discovery in California Wage and Hour Class Actions," California Litigation Report, July 2008
"Employers Prevail in Class Actions Challenging Overtime Pay Exemption Status," California Litigation Report, February 2007
"Enforcebility of Covenants Not to Compete in California," White & Case Compensation, Benefits and Employment Law Focus Newsletter, December 2004
"AB 25: California's Expansion of Domestic Partners' Rights and Benefits," White & Case Compensation, Benefits and Employment Law Focus Newsletter, January 2002
"Enforceability of Covenants Not to Compete in California," White & Case Compensation, Benefits and Employment Law Focus Newsletter, October 2001
"The Impact of the New Income Tax Treaty Between the United States and the United Kingdom," 13 U.S.F.L. Rev. 1, 1978

Languages
English

Citizenship
United States