Gordon S. Woodward

Gordon Woodward is a Partner in the Baltimore and Alexandria offices of GRSM. His practice concentrates on litigation matters including construction, aviation, product liability, and related insurance coverage issues. In addition, he has significant experience in several non-litigation areas including the drafting of construction contract documents, the preparation of complex insurance coverage opinions, and counseling nonprofit entities on governance and contractual matters.

Litigation Practice

His litigation experience involves jury trials as first and second chair, non-jury trials, as well as numerous arbitrations and mediations. Gordon's representations include:

• A national real estate investment trust regarding commercial real estate disputes.
• National home builders on construction disputes in Maryland and Virginia.
• Maryland airports.
• Equipment manufacturers in personal injury actions and contract actions.

Counseling Practice

• Insurance: Gordon has prepared numerous complex insurance coverage opinions; most significantly in the context of construction and aviation-related losses.
• Nonprofit Organizations: He has advised nonprofit organizations [trade groups and charities] on a number of legal issues including corporate governance, contracts, and real estate matters.

Admissions

• Minnesota
• District of Columbia
• Maryland
• Virginia
• U.S. District Court, District of Maryland
• U.S. District Court, District of Columbia 
• U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia
• The District of Columbia Court of Appeals
• The Court of Appeals of Maryland
• The Supreme Court of Virginia
• The Supreme Court of Minnesota

Memberships

• DRI Insurance Law Committee, Member
• CLM Construction Law Committee, Member
• District of Columbia Defense Lawyers’ Association, Member
• Civil Pro Bono Panel for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
• Bar Associations for the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and Minnesota, Member

Pro Bono

• Al-Sharekh v. Bush, 05-cv-583-RJL, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (involving two brothers).
• Tumani v. Bush, 05-cv-526-RMU, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (involving a father and son).
• Mattan v. Obama, 09-cv-745-RMU, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (involving a single individual).
   

• Manager for certain products liability cases on the Baltimore asbestos docket, currently over 800 cases.
• Advise and assist local Housing Authority in drafting numerous contracts with general contractors, subcontractors, architects and engineers. These contracts involved projects ranging in size from approximately $100,000 to $14,000,000. In addition, researched and advised on policy issues as well as the application of certain HUD requirements.
• Global Aerospace, Inc. v. Landow Aviation, L.P., Consolidated Action No. 61040, Circuit Court for Loudoun County, Virginia (filed 2010). Member of team representing lead defendant in 500 million dollar action involving the 2010 collapse of the Dulles Jet Center at Washington Dulles International Airport. Court Liaison Counsel for coordination of action.
• Graciano Corporation v. 222 Holding, LLC, No. 24-C-09-001452, Circuit Court for Baltimore City (filed 2009). Obtained summary judgment for plaintiff in 1.4 million dollar construction action involving extensive repairs to Baltimore City parking garage. Result reported Maryland’s leading legal publication The Daily Record, “Angelos Company Owes $1.4m for Repairs,” February 3, 2011, page 1. Decision sustained on appeal. 222 Holding, LLC v. Graciano Corporation, No. 2880, April 19, 2012, Maryland Court of Special Appeals (unreported opinion).
• Guantanamo Bay Detention Cases – Successfully represented five Guantanamo Bay Detainees.
• Jurkiewicz v. U.S. Home Corporation, No. 03-C-07000169, Circuit Court for Baltimore County, Maryland (filed 2007). Obtained complete defense verdict after five-day jury trial in 2.1 million dollar action involving construction of storm water management system. Result reported Maryland’s leading legal publication The Daily Record, “Developer’s Stormwater System Did No Damage,” March 30, 2009, page 1.
• Al-Abood v. El-Shamari, 71 F. Supp. 2d 511 (E.D. Va. 1999). Reported decision involving multi-million-dollar collection action – successfully protected assets of defendants.

Education

LL.M., Insurance Law, University of Connecticut School of Law, with honors, 2020

J.D., George Washington University Law School, with honors, 1995

B.A., University of Minnesota, 1991

Honors

District of Columbia Pro Bono Honor Roll Recipient, 2012-2015, High Honors

Named to “Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers” for construction litigation and insurance coverage, 2012-2016, 2018-2022*

Recipient, The Insurance Law Center LLM Award for scholarship in insurance law from the University of Connecticut School of Law, 2020

Recipient, Earl G. Harrison Pro Bono Award, 2009