Woody focuses primarily on administrative and labour relations matters in conjunction with his work for public and private sector clients. He has practiced in St. Catharines since his call to the bar in 1976 and has extensive past experience in civil and criminal litigation matters. He was a part-time Assistant Crown Attorney and Federal Prosecutor from the late 1970’s through the late 1980’s.
Woody is counsel to the Regional Municipality of Niagara Police Services Board. His relationship with the Board began in 1983 when he was retained to deal with civil litigation and licensing matters. He was retained as general counsel in 1993, and since that time has provided legal and strategic advice on a variety of matters, including labour relations, collective agreement negotiations, interest and rights arbitrations, Ontario human rights cases, policing issues, licensing and administrative law matters. During his tenure as Board counsel, he has developed a close and ongoing working relationship with Board members and staff, as well as senior police personnel.
In the late 1990’s, he was retained by the former Regional Municipality of Haldimand-Norfolk to deal with the disbandment of its Regional Police Service in favour of the Ontario Provincial Police. In 2000 he was retained by the Haldimand- Norfolk Transition Board for matters relating to labour and employment issues arising out of the municipal restructuring of the former Region. Retained by the newly formed Haldimand County in 2001, he represented the County in arbitration to divide the assets and liabilities of the former Region and in a subsequent arbitration to determine the appropriate apportionment of social service costs between the County and Norfolk County. Woody continues to act as counsel for the County, providing ongoing advice on labour relations, First Nations issues, and other municipal matters.
Woody is also counsel to the Peterborough Police Services Board and has developed a good working relationship with Board members and staff. He provides advice on matters and issues similar to those in Niagara. He represents a handful of other private and public sector clients in the Niagara Region, focusing on labour and employment matters, collective agreement negotiations, and representation at both interest and rights arbitrations.
When not practicing law, Woody is an avid golfer who has competed in senior amateur tournaments throughout Southwestern Ontario.
EDUCATION
- Admitted to Ontario Bar – 1976
- LL.B, University of Windsor – 1974
- B.A., University of Windsor – 1971
ASSOCIATIONS
- Member – Law Society of Ontario
- Member – Ontario Bar Association, a branch of the Canadian Bar Association
- Member and former Secretary of the Lincoln County Law Association
- Former Member of Board of Directors of Hospice Niagara
- Member – Golf Association of Ontario
