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
Trucking Accidents
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, GeorgiaJ.D. - 1975
Honors: Chairman, Russell Moot Court Competition
Honors: Executive Committee, Moot Court Board
University of Georgia, AthensB.B.A. (Magna Cum Laude) - 1972
Major: Banking and Finance
Honors and Awards
Georgia Trend - 100 Most Influential Georgians, 2005
James Magazine - Most Influential Georgians, 2005
Georgia Super Lawyers, 2007 - 2013
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
Recipient, 2012 Univeristy of Georgia Law School Distinguished Service Scroll
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
University of Georgia Law School Board of Visitors, Member, 2011 - Present
University of Georgia Athletic Association Board of Directors, Member, 2012 - Present
