Joel O. Wooten
Top rated Personal Injury attorney in Columbus, Georgia
Peak Wooten McDaniel & Colwell LLP
Practice areas: Personal Injury, Appellate, Business Litigation; view more
Licensed in Georgia since: 1975
Education: University of Georgia School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2007 - 2027 Call today:
706-460-4800
Peak Wooten McDaniel & Colwell LLP
945 BroadwaySuite 200
Columbus, GA 31901 Visit website
Joel O. Wooten is a partner at Peak Wooten McDaniel & Colwell LLP in Columbus, Georgia, where he represents individuals and families in complex litigation arising from serious injuries, wrongful death and other forms of negligence. His practice includes personal injury matters involving car and motorcycle accidents, truck and trailer collisions, medical negligence, brain and spinal cord injuries, nursing home neglect or abuse, as well as class-action lawsuits.
Throughout his career, Mr. Wooten has pursued claims on behalf of clients facing significant physical, financial and emotional consequences. His work includes high-stakes litigation against individuals, businesses and other entities whose alleged negligence or misconduct has resulted in serious harm. He has also handled cases involving commercial trucking and catastrophic injuries, where the consequences for victims and their families can be substantial.
Mr. Wooten earned his Bachelor of Business Administration, graduating magna cum laude, from the University of Georgia. He later obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law. He has been admitted to practice law in Georgia since 1975.
Mr. Wooten's reported case results include a $280 million verdict against a trucking company in a 2019 wrongful death case. The award included $150 million for wrongful death, $30 million for preimpact fright, pain and suffering, and $100 million in punitive damages. The case reflects his experience handling complex litigation involving severe injuries and loss of life.
In recognition of his many contributions to the legal profession, Mr. Wooten holds an AV Preeminent* peer-review rating through Martindale-Hubbell. Wooten is a member of the American Bar Association, State Bar of Georgia, American Association for Justice and Federal Bar Association. He is also affiliated with the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association and Columbus Trial Lawyers Association, maintaining connections with legal organizations focused on trial practice and professional development.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
Practice areas
Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, Appellate, Business Litigation, Civil Litigation: Plaintiff, Environmental Litigation, Personal Injury - Products: PlaintiffFocus areas
Appeals, Brain Injury, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Motor Vehicle Defects, Non-Compete Agreements, Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Pharmaceutical, Toxic Mold, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death
- 50% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
- 10% Appellate
- 10% Business Litigation
- 10% Civil Litigation: Plaintiff
- 10% Environmental Litigation
- 10% Personal Injury - Products: Plaintiff
First Admitted: 1975, Georgia
Professional Webpage: https://www.peakwooten.com/attorneys/joel-o-wooten/
Bar / Professional Activity
- Inaugural Member, Georgia Business Court Rules Commission
- Georgia Ports Authority, Chair, 2021-23, Vice-chair, 2020-21 (Board of Directors, 2013 – Present)
- Jasper Ocean Terminal Board, 2016 – 2023
- Jasper Ocean Terminal Board Chair, 2018
- Supreme Court of Georgia, 1975
- Bar Center Committee, State Bar of Georgia, 1995 - 2019
- Member, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association
- President, Columbus Lawyers Club, 1988 - 1989
- American Bar Association, General Practice Section
- Chair, Business Court Committee, State Bar of Georgia 2014-present
- President, Columbus Younger Lawyers Club, 1984 - 1985
- Board of Managers, University of Georgia Alumni Society, 1989 - 1991
- Chair, University System Georgia Board of Regents, 2004 - 2005
- Executive Council, State Bar of Georgia, Younger Lawyers Section, 1990 - 1991
- Vice President, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, 1994 - 1997
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Georgia, 1976
- Member, Statewide Judicial Evaluation Committee, State Bar of Georgia, 1993 - 2007
- Member, American Association for Justice
- Georgia Court of Appeals, 1975
- Vice Chair, State Bar Federal Courts Liaison Committee, State Bar of Georgia, 1999 - 2007
- Member, Roscoe Pound Foundation
- Member, University System Georgia Board of Regents, 1999 - 2006
- Chair, ABA Conference of State and Local Bar Leaders, 1991 - 1992
- University of Georgia Law School Board of Visitors 2011-present
- President, Columbus Younger Lawyers Club, 1984 - 1985
- Board of Managers, University of Georgia Alumni Society, 1981 - 1983
- President of the Columbus Bar Association - 1988, Executive Committee - 1984-93
- Executive Council, State Bar of Georgia, Younger Lawyers Section, 1983 - 1997
- Board of Directors, Founding Member, Georgia Center for Law in the Public Interest, 1992 - 1993, now GreenLaw
- Georgia, 1975
- Executive Council, State Bar of Georgia, General Practice & Trial Section, 1983 - 1998
- Member, State Bar of Georgia
- U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit, 1981
- Chair, Statewide Judicial Evaluation Committee, State Bar of Georgia, 1999 - 2007
- Member, American Judicature Society
- Vice Chair, University System Georgia Board of Regents, 2003 - 2004
- Advisory Committee on Legislation, State Bar of Georgia, 1999 - 2010
- Member, Columbus Trial Lawyers Association
- Executive Committee, Columbus Lawyers Club, 1984 - 1993
- Vice-President, University of Georgia Young Alumni Council, 1981 - 1983
- Executive Council, Columbus Younger Lawyers Club, 1980 - 1983
- University of Georgia Law School Association Council, 1997 - 1999
- State Bar Statewide Judicial Evaluation Committee, Chair 1999-2007
- Chair, State Bar of Georgia, General Practice & Trial Section, 1990 - 1991
- Member, American Bar Association
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia, 1990
- Co-Chair, Statewide Judicial Evaluation Committee, State Bar of Georgia, 1997 - 1999
- Member, Federal Bar Association
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- $280 million verdict against trucking company - wrongful death of $150 MM, $30 MM pre-impact fright & pain & suffering, $100 MM in punitive damages, 2019
Pro bono / Community Service
- Member of the Board of Directors of the University of Georgia Athletic Association, 2012-2021, Emeritus Member 2021-present
- Board of Visitors - University of Georgia School of Law, 2011 - present
- 1999, Member of the University System of Georgia Board of Regents, Chair 2004-05, Vice Chair 2003-04
- Member of Georgia Ports Authority Board 2013-present, Chair 2021-21, Vice-chair 2020-21, Secretary-Treasurer 2019-20
- 2016, Member of the Board of the Jasper Ocean Terminal Joint Venture 2016-present, Chair 2018, Vice-chair 2019
Educational Background
- University of Georgia, Athens, GA, B.B.A. in Banking and Finance (Magna Cum Laude), 1972
- University of Georgia School of Law, J.D.
Honors
- Fellow, American Bar Association
- Georgia Super Lawyers, 2007 – present
- Georgia Supreme Court Amicus Curiae Award, 2018
- Georgia Legal History Foundation, The Nestor Award, 2017
- Doremus Award for Excellence in Environmental Law, Georgia Center for Law in the Public Interest, 2007
- Georgia Trend - 100 Most Influential Georgians, Georgia Trend, 2022
- Guardian of Justice Award, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, 2020
- Recipient, University of Georgia Law School Distinguished Service Scroll, 2012
- State Bar of Georgia General Practice & Trial Section Tradition of Excellence Award, 2000
- Executive Committee, Moot Court Board, University of Georgia School of Law
- Recipient, Tradition of Excellence Award, State Bar of Georgia, 2000
- Who's Who in America
- Supreme Court of Georgia Amicus Curiae Award, 2018
- Georgia Trend - 100 Most Influential Georgians, 2005, 2005
- Fellow, Lawyers Foundation of Georgia
- Who's Who in American Law
- Chairman, Russell Moot Court Competition, University of Georgia School of Law
- James Magazine - Most Influential Georgians, 2005
- National Constabar Leader of the Year Award, American Bar Association, 1993
- University of Georgia Law School Distinguished Service Scroll, 2012
Awards
AV Preeminent®: This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“He has excellent judgment--better than anyone I know.”
“Joel is a leader in our profession and state, who serves the citizens of Georgia as Chairman of the Georgia Ports Authority.”
“Honorable, compassionate, smart and honest.”
“Joel is a legendary attorney and a great Georgian.”
“Joel is a consensus builder who is extremely well respected in courtrooms and boardrooms throughout our state. Joel's ability to cultivate and build relationships with others is a credit to our profession.”
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2007 - 2027
