John Woodward

John was admitted as a solicitor on 18th December, 1987. Prior to admission he had an extensive career with the New South Wales Attorney General's Department, employed in various country court houses from Newcastle to Broken Hill and various city and suburban positions. He held positions as Chamber Magistrate and as Coroner as well as various other roles in the administration of law in New South Wales .

Post admission, John was employed as the Civil Litigation Solicitor for Scott Derwin and Associates, a small suburban legal practice in Newcastle. In 1992, he purchased the practice from the retiring Principal and managed it and a staff of four solicitors and administrative support staff for the following eight years. During that time he appeared as solicitor advocate in numerous courts and tribunals in various jurisdictions in New South Wales , Queensland and Victoria. He appeared in the leading family law case of Barber and Barber (1991) FLC 92-210. and in the Supreme Court for the liquidator in various actions in the winding up of Doran Constructions Pty Ltd (In liquidation).

In May, 2000, when the firm of J. J. Woodward and Co merged with Turnbull Hill Lawyers, John assumed the role of Partner in Charge of the newly formed Commercial Litigation Team which employs three solicitors and support staff in its division. John has also been involved in both in-house and external clinical legal education programmes for graduate lawyers in association with the University of Newcastle.

John is the Chairman of the Lake Macquarie Business Centre and a member of the Central Coast Aero Club.

Specialisations

Advocacy
Company Law and Insolvency
Commercial Debt Recovery
Contract Disputes
Insurance Law

Qualifications

Bachelor of Legal Studies (Macquarie University)
Accredited Specialist (Advocacy)
Member of the Insolvency Practitioners Association of Australia
Member of the American Bar Association