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James L. Woolard

Principal

Office

T:
+1.313.496.7652
O:
+1.734.663.2445
F:
+1.734.747.7147
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Education

University of Michigan Law School, J.D., cum laude

Princeton University, M.A.

University of Virginia, B.A.

Bar Admissions

Court Admissions

U.S. District Court

  • Eastern District of Michigan
  • Western District of Michigan

U.S. Court of Appeals

  • 6th Circuit

Jamie Woolard handles complex commercial disputes with an emphasis on transnational litigation and international arbitration. He has represented foreign and domestic clients in international commercial arbitrations administered by the ICC International Court of Arbitration, the International Centre for Dispute Resolution, the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, and the Singapore International Arbitration Centre, as well as in litigation in U.S. state and federal trial and appellate courts.

Jamie also advises and represents non-profit corporations and individuals in matters relating to corporate governance, trusts, and charitable gifts, and maintains an active pro bono practice.

Jamie is a principal in Miller Canfield's Litigation and Dispute Resolution and International Disputes groups. He previously served as a law clerk to the Hon. Judith E. Levy of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. He is a co-chair of the International Litigation Subcommittee of the American Bar Association's Commercial and Business Litigation Committee and serves on the firm's Ethics and Pro Bono Committees.

Representative Matters

INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION

Defended a Chinese manufacturer in a $20 million international automotive supply chain dispute. Obtained summary disposition on the vast majority of the claims. The matter was seated in Singapore and administered by the Singapore International Arbitration Centre.

Defended a Mexican buyer in a wide-ranging post-M&A dispute with a U.S. seller over business interests located in Europe, Latin America, South America, and the U.S. The matter was seated in New York and administered by the ICC International Court of Arbitration.

Defended a Chinese buyer in a post-M&A dispute with a Dutch seller over business interests in Europe and North America. The matter was seated in Hong Kong and administered by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre.

Represented a U.S. seller in a post-M&A dispute with a Chinese buyer. The matter was seated in New York and administered by the International Centre for Dispute Resolution.

OTHER INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES WORK

Defended a Korean manufacturer in a $20 million sales dispute, defeating motions for summary judgment and to compel witnesses to travel to the U.S. for depositions.

Defended an Indian manufacturer in a multimillion dollar sales dispute, obtaining summary judgment on the plaintiff’s primary claims.

Defended a U.S. subsidiary of a Chinese manufacturer in trade secrets dispute seeking injunctive relief and money damages, obtaining dismissal of all claims.

Defended a U.S. subsidiary of a Chinese manufacturer in a contract dispute, obtaining dismissal of all claims.

OTHER REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

Assisted with defense of professional malpractice claims, obtaining summary disposition of claims and affirmation on appeal.

Defended non-profit organizations against trust-related claims, obtaining dismissal of all claims against one defendant and partial summary disposition of claims against another.

Defended individual against claims related to dispute over family estate, obtaining dismissal of claims and affirmation on appeal.

Honors

DBusiness Magazine, Top Lawyers, Arbitration, 2023

State Bar of Michigan Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2020-present

Law Clerk to the Hon. Judith E. Levy, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, 2014-2015

University of Michigan Law School, cum laude
Dean's Scholar
Michigan Journal of Environmental and Administrative Law, Executive Editor
Honors in Legal Writing and Practice

American Academy in Rome, Arthur Ross Rome Prize Fellow

Princeton University
Graduate Fellowship

University of Virginia
Echols Scholar
National Merit Scholar

Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society

Professional Activities

State Bar of Michigan

Federal Bar Association, Eastern District of Michigan

American Bar Association
• International Arbitration Committee
• Business & Commercial Litigation Committee; co-chair, International Litigation Subcommittee

Civic, Cultural & Social Activities

City of Ann Arbor Environmental Commission, 2011-2014

Teaching

Princeton University, Dept. of Classics, Preceptor

Montclair St. University, Department of Classics and General Humanities, Lecturer

Ostrava University (Czechia), Foreign Lecturer

Speeches

"Comparing International and Domestic Arbitration: Tips for advocates, clients and arbitrators," Panelist, State Bar of Michigan Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, February 20, 2024

Publications

"A U.S. Guide on Force Majeure and Other Defenses to Nonperformance Due to COVID-19" (co-author) (online, forthcoming)

"Using the U.S. Courts to Obtain Discovery Here and Abroad for Foreign and International Proceedings" (co-author), Michigan Bar Journal (forthcoming August 2020)

"Expedited Remote Arbitration in the Age of COVID-19" (co-author), JD Supra (March 30, 2020)

"Can a U.S. Court Order Foreign Discovery for a Foreign Use?" (co-author), ABA Litigation Journal, Vol. 46 No. 2, pp. 13-14 (Winter 2020)

"Can a United States Court Order Discovery Outside the U.S. for Use in a Foreign Proceeding?" (co-author), IBA International Litigation News, p. 80 (May 2019)

Articles