Case Manager: Eve Thorstens
Catastrophic Injury | Wrongful Death | Insurance | Transportation | Complex Civil Litigation
William O. “Woody” Woodland, Esq. is a Fellow of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and a California mediator who has spent more than 34 years helping clients navigate some of the most challenging civil disputes imaginable. A veteran California trial lawyer, Mr. Woodland has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in catastrophic injury, wrongful death, insurance, transportation, and other complex civil matters, giving him a uniquely balanced understanding of the legal, strategic, financial, and personal considerations that drive settlement.
Over the course of his career, Mr. Woodland has managed thousands of civil cases, tried numerous matters before juries, participated in hundreds of mediations as litigation counsel, and successfully resolved high-exposure disputes involving individuals, Fortune 500 companies, insurers, transportation companies, public entities, developers, and employers. He has extensive experience handling insurance bad faith claims, UM/UIM matters, trucking and rideshare cases, excess exposure litigation, and multi-party disputes.
Mr. Woodland brings that same practical experience to every mediation and arbitration. His philosophy is simple: successful resolution begins by listening. Before parties can move beyond conflict, they must feel heard, understood, and respected. By combining thoughtful preparation, candid risk assessment, empathy, patience, and strategic persistence, Mr. Woodland helps attorneys and clients overcome both the legal and emotional barriers that often prevent settlement.
Known throughout the Southern California legal community for his calm demeanor, optimism, and authenticity, Mr. Woodland approaches every mediation as an opportunity for a fresh beginning, not simply another chapter in years of litigation.
WHY ATTORNEYS CHOOSE WOODY WOODLAND
Balanced Perspective
Having represented both plaintiffs and defendants throughout his career, Mr. Woodland understands how each side evaluates risk, value, and trial strategy. His ability to see every dispute from multiple perspectives helps parties move beyond entrenched positions toward practical solutions.
Trial-Tested Experience
More than three decades of litigation experience provide Mr. Woodland with the credibility to evaluate complex legal issues, communicate litigation risk, and help parties make informed settlement decisions.
Settlement-Focused
Throughout his career, Mr. Woodland has consistently asked one question: “How do we get to yes?” That philosophy continues to guide every mediation. He focuses on identifying the true obstacles preventing settlement—whether legal, financial, practical, or emotional—and works collaboratively with counsel to overcome them.
Persistent Engagement
Mr. Woodland believes mediation does not necessarily end when the session concludes. When appropriate, he continues working with counsel after mediation to explore additional opportunities for resolution.
Human-Centered Approach
Attorneys consistently describe Mr. Woodland as approachable, optimistic, empathetic, and genuine. His calm personality, active listening skills, and ability to build trust help reduce tension and encourage productive negotiations.
Throughout his career, Mr. Woodland has represented:
His practice has included catastrophic injury, wrongful death, insurance bad faith, first-party insurance claims, premises liability, products liability, transportation litigation, and complex personal injury matters throughout California.
Behar Gibbs Savage Paulson LLP: Partner, 2025–2026
Represented insurers, businesses, transportation companies, and individuals in catastrophic injury, insurance bad faith, excess exposure, and other high-value civil litigation. Managed a substantial litigation practice while supervising attorneys and staff through every phase of litigation, including trial, mediation, and arbitration.
Ford Walker Haggerty & Behar LLP: Partner, 2002–2025
For more than two decades, defended Fortune 500 companies, insurers, transportation entities, and individuals in complex civil litigation throughout Southern California, handling numerous jury trials and resolving hundreds of cases through negotiated settlement, mediation, and arbitration.
Law Offices of C. Michael Alder: Trial Attorney, 2001–2002
Represented injured plaintiffs in personal injury litigation and insurance coverage disputes.
John Hill & Associates: Trial Attorney, 1994–2001
Handled all aspects of civil litigation, including discovery, law and motion practice, jury trials, and dispositive motions on behalf of insurers and insureds.
What types of cases does Woody Woodland mediate?
Mr. Woodland mediates a wide range of complex civil disputes, including catastrophic injury, wrongful death, trucking and transportation accidents, rideshare liability, automobile accidents, premises liability, insurance coverage, insurance bad faith, UM/UIM, product liability, construction-related injuries, employment matters, and other high-exposure civil litigation. He has represented both plaintiffs and defendants throughout his career and understands the unique challenges each side brings to mediation.
Does Woody Woodland mediate catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases?
Yes. For more than three decades, Mr. Woodland has handled catastrophic injury and wrongful death litigation involving serious bodily injury, permanent disability, and fatal accidents. His experience includes evaluating significant damages, complex liability issues, insurance coverage disputes, and high-exposure claims.
Does Woody Woodland handle trucking and transportation cases?
Yes. Mr. Woodland has extensive experience representing clients in trucking, commercial transportation, and rideshare litigation. His practice includes cases involving commercial motor vehicles, transportation companies, commercial carriers, and complex liability issues arising from serious accidents.
Does Woody Woodland handle UM/UIM cases?
Yes. Mr. Woodland has extensive experience litigating uninsured and underinsured motorist matters. Over the course of his career, he has handled approximately 300 UM/UIM claims and completed approximately 10 UM/UIM arbitrations. He has represented both petitioners and respondents, giving him valuable insight into these specialized proceedings.
Does Woody Woodland mediate insurance bad faith and insurance coverage disputes?
Yes. Mr. Woodland has represented insurance carriers and policyholders in insurance coverage and bad faith litigation throughout his career. His experience allows him to understand both the legal issues and the business considerations that frequently influence settlement.
What makes Woody Woodland’s mediation style different?
Mr. Woodland believes successful mediation begins with listening. Before discussing settlement numbers, he works to understand each party’s goals, concerns, and the issues preventing resolution. By identifying both the legal and emotional barriers to settlement, he helps parties move beyond impasse and toward practical solutions.
Does Woody Woodland continue working after the mediation session ends?
Yes. Mr. Woodland believes mediation does not necessarily end when the session concludes. If a case does not settle, he follows up with counsel to determine whether circumstances have changed and whether additional discussions may help the parties reach resolution.
Has Woody Woodland represented both plaintiffs and defendants?
Yes. Mr. Woodland has represented plaintiffs and defendants throughout his litigation career. This balanced perspective enables him to appreciate the strengths, weaknesses, risks, and objectives on both sides of a dispute while remaining neutral throughout the mediation process.
What experience does Woody Woodland have as a trial attorney?
Mr. Woodland has more than 34 years of experience as a California trial attorney. He has handled cases from initial investigation through jury trial, post-trial proceedings, mediation, and arbitration while representing individuals, Fortune 500 companies, insurance carriers, transportation companies, employers, and public entities.
How does Woody prepare for mediation
Mr. Woodland carefully reviews the plaintiff’s materials first, followed by the defense submissions. During mediation, he focuses initially on understanding each side’s perspective before turning to settlement numbers. This approach helps ensure parties feel heard and often leads to more productive negotiations.
“Woody Woodland is the consummate professional and is skilled in all aspects of the civil litigation world. I have worked with him on both the plaintiff and defense sides and appreciate the comprehensive perspective he brings to any discussion. His clients trust his judgment and his opponents respect his approach and civility. He is thorough in his analysis of the facts and the law. Woody has a skillset that makes him unique in evaluating and taking the temperature of any case and finding a way to get the parties on the same page. He possesses a cultural knowledge and range with people and fact patterns that allows him to find and maintain common ground in very difficult situations. I would trust him to evaluate and mediate my most challenging and difficult cases.”
“I have known Woody Woodland for nearly 30 years. We both practiced civil defense and then I moved on to work on the plaintiff’s side. He was opposing counsel in several cases I had over the years, and I always found him to be professional, ethical, diligent, and hard working. He has always been easy to work with, and his civility is second to none. I would highly recommend Woody as a mediator or arbitrator in any civil litigation matter.”
“I have known Woody Woodland for over twenty years as opposing counsel on significant matters, and he has always demonstrated a rare gift for finding fair common ground even in the hardest, most emotionally charged disputes. Woody’s impeccable reputation, practical judgment, and generous spirit will make him an outstanding mediator ready to settle big cases from Day 1.”
“Woody Woodland will be a perfect fit with ADR. What sets him apart from other great ABOTA trial attorneys is his ability to listen, learn and lead. Woody is a compassionate person who also has the unique ability to cut through the BS, identify the issues, and move on to fashioning solutions. In over 50 years of practice, having managed hundreds of attorneys, I can’t think of anyone better suited to this new endeavor as a mediator with ADR Services, Inc.”
“Woody is a consummate professional and gentleman and has a unique ability to find resolutions on tough cases that many others may not see. He relentlessly sought resolution of cases as opposing counsel and I am certain that same tenacity will translate superbly to his mediation practice on all cases, from the most complex to those not so complex. He is super knowledgeable, fair minded and a class act that will be a fantastic addition to everyone’s list of preferred mediators.”
“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working with and against Woody Woodland for many years. I’ve seen how he’s been able to successfully resolve some of the most difficult cases. He is always kind and thoughtful in his approach to getting cases resolved. He is a consummate gentleman and his knowledge of medical and legal issues along with his strong but gentle demeanor will surely lead to further amazing settlement results as a mediator. He is well respected by both sides of the bar and will be an asset to ADR Services, Inc.”
“I’ve been doing plaintiffs work for over 20 years and Woody Woodland has been on the opposite side of my cases many times. In every case, he perfectly balanced advocacy for his client with professionalism and decency towards everyone involved. It was always my hope that he would conduct mediations in the future. With an understanding of the defense perspective and an unerring sense of fairness, I look forward to using him in the future.”
“Woody, always a cool hand, calm and composed no matter how big the case or the problem to be addressed. He will be a great mediator!”
“Woody is the consummate professional. He practices with intelligence, experience, and a knack for knowing how to quickly analyze a case and see both sides’ strengths and weaknesses. This is why he will make an excellent mediator.”
“Woody navigates difficult cases with intelligence, strategy, and sound judgment, often seeing solutions and arguments that others missed. Beyond his skill as a lawyer, what always stood out most was the way he balanced sharp advocacy with professionalism, patience, and respect for everyone around him. I honestly cannot think of a better next chapter for him than as a mediator. He has always had the ability to bring calm to chaos, to listen carefully, and to help people find common ground. Those qualities, together with his exceptional legal insight and credibility, will make him an incredible mediator.”
“One thing I will always appreciate about Woody is the way he carried himself with intelligence and calmness no matter how chaotic things got.”
