Earlier in his career, Woody worked in complex commercial litigation, products liability, and intellectual property law. While this work was challenging and satisfying, he elected to move into criminal law, where he could use his scientific knowledge and trial skills in a unique and synergistic way to advocate for accused individuals in his community.
As a trial advocate, Woody has successfully handled and resolved thousands of criminal cases, such as DUIs and vehicular crimes, sex offenses, aggravated assaults, and homicide. As a highly skilled trial attorney who is dedicated to providing the finest defense to anyone accused of a DUI or criminal offense, the combination of Woody’s years of experience and his math and science education enables him to effectively analyze and evaluate the many scientific details of DUI and forensic data in criminal cases.
Woody routinely draws upon his vast experience in accident reconstruction and his courtroom know-how when it comes to the cross-examination of trial experts for the benefit of his clients. Additionally, Woody offers a wealth of written and oral advocacy talent both in and out of the courtroom, having presented to Senators in Washington D.C. and opposed prosecutors across the State of Arizona behind closed doors and in open court. Known as an effective and persuasive voice for his clients, Woody abides by the personal credo of “A win at trial is great, but getting a case dismissed before it gets to trial is even better.”
Woody earned his B.B.A. in Mathematics and his J.D. from Arizona State University. While at ASU, he served as a student lobbyist, providing a student voice in Washington D.C., the Arizona State Legislature, and the Arizona Board of Regents.
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
- White Collar Crimes
- Felony Fraud Schemes
- Felony Identity Theft Crimes
- Felony & Misdemeanor Driving Under the Influence – Impaired, Extreme, and Super Extreme DUIs – First and Multiple repeat offenses
- Felony & Misdemeanor Criminal Damage
- Felony & Misdemeanor Trespassing
- Felony & Misdemeanor Assault, Aggravated Assault – Dangerous and Non-dangerous
- Misdemeanor Operating Under the Influence (Watercraft)
- Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct
- Sex Crimes
- Wire Fraud
- Administrative Representation for Criminal Charges – Arizona’s Nursing, Physicians’, Medical and Real Estate Boards, among others
- Child Protective Services Hearings
- Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division – Admin Per Se Hearings, Implied Consent Hearings, License Revocation/Reinstatement Hearings
- Forfeiture
- Office of the Inspector General Hearings
- Restitution Hearings
- Appeals in Municipal Courts and in Administrative Hearings
- Military Adjudications stemming from Civilian Criminal Charges
- Professional Licensing
- Utility and Regulatory Representation
- Regulatory Enforcement
- Compliance
- Internal and External Investigations
ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
- Federal Bar Association, Phoenix Chapter, Member
- National College for DUI Defense, Inc., Member
- Maricopa County Bar Association, Member
HONORS & AWARDS
- Best Lawyers in America®, Criminal Defense: General Practice, 2017-2025; Criminal Defense: White-Collar, 2020-2025; DUI/DWI Defense, 2019-2025
- Southwest Super Lawyers®, Criminal Defense, 2023-2024
- Phoenix Magazine, Top Lawyer, Criminal Defense, 2022-2024
- Arizona Foothills Magazine, Best of Our Valley, Criminal Defense Attorney, 2013
COMMUNITY & PHILANTHROPY
- The Ronin Foundation, President & Co-Founder
News
- Phoenix Magazine Names 11 G&K Attorneys to 2024 Top Lawyers - September 3, 2024
- Best Lawyers in America® 2025 Recognizes 51 Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys - August 15, 2024
- Woody Thompson Honored Among Best Criminal Defense Lawyers for 2024 by Forbes Advisor - July 29, 2024
- 19 G&K Attorneys Selected to 2024 Super Lawyers & Rising Stars - April 8, 2024
- Phoenix Magazine Names 9 G&K Attorneys to 2023 Top Lawyers - September 1, 2023
- Best Lawyers in America® 2024 Recognizes 52 Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys - August 21, 2023
- 18 G&K Attorneys Selected to 2023 Super Lawyers & Rising Stars - April 6, 2023
- Phoenix Magazine Names 7 G&K Attorneys to Inaugural Top Lawyers Issue - September 1, 2022
- Best Lawyers in America® 2023 Recognizes 41 Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys - August 18, 2022
- Best Lawyers in America® 2022 Recognizes 37 Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys - August 19, 2021
- Best Lawyers in America® Recognizes 36 Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys - August 21, 2020
- Best Lawyers in America® Recognizes 33 Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys as Leaders in Their Field - August 15, 2019
- Best Lawyers in America® Recognizes 35 Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys as Leaders in Their Field - August 15, 2018
- 35 Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys Recognized as 2018 'Best Lawyers in America®' - August 16, 2017
- 33 Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys Named 2017 ‘Best Lawyers in America®’ - August 17, 2016