James Woods, Attorney
Western Kentucky University, B.S. Public Health and Environmental Science, 2013
Mississippi College, J.D. 2019
When James went to college, he didn’t plan to be a lawyer.
So when he graduated, he went to work first as a lab analyst in a wastewater treatment plant and then at Ameriqual, one of the largest suppliers of MREs for the U.S. military.
He worked for a few years and decided that he wanted to get a law degree.
Favorite TV characters
Mr. Aloysius Snuffleupagus
Favorite foods
Stew made with ground beef, potatoes, onions, celery, carrots, mushrooms, and wine
Favorite quote
“Do more than is required of you.”
He was working toward completing his degree when he was a passenger in a serious roll-over car crash. An air ambulance took him to a hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, where he spent weeks recovering from severe injuries.
He had to re-learn to walk and eat. Then he finished his degree and passed the bar exam.
He joined the family law firm at Woods and Woods in 2020 and began fighting for veterans.
He said the cases that stick with him are the ones involving young people who are totally disabled.
“They’re getting overlooked by society and the VA,” he said. “Some of them are really struggling–living in cars or homeless shelters and can’t figure out what they’re going to do in a couple of days.”
Yet, he approaches veterans’ cases with hope and optimism as he tries to find ways to get veterans their best rating and the most benefits.
“I hope our work makes their lives more fulfilling, and they can get some peace where they’re at to take on what they want to take on,” he said. “And that they have some stability.”