Schumer: Woods Possesses the Experience, Intellect and Temperament Necessary to Succeed as a Federal Judge

Statement

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that he is recommending Gregory Howard Woods III to President Obama to serve on the bench of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Mr. Woods is a resident of Harlem and was born in April of 1969. Schumer said that Woods's excellent legal background, professional experience, and demonstrated leadership skills make him a top choice for the District Court for the Southern District of New York.

"Gregory Woods is a proven leader with a strong legal and public-service background," said Schumer. "Mr. Woods is an accomplished attorney in the public and private sector who has a clear commitment to justice, outstanding dedication to public service, and broad experience. He is an exceptional choice to join the bench in the Southern District."

Mr. Woods is of African American descent and a graduate of Williams College and Yale Law School. Mr. Woods received his J.D. from Yale Law School in 1995. At Yale, Mr. Woods was Essays Editor on the Yale Law Journal and was awarded prizes for best brief and best oralist in the school's moot court competition. Mr. Woods received his B.A. magna cum laude from Williams College in 1991.

Mr. Woods currently serves as General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Energy. Prior, he served as Deputy General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Transportation and was appointed by Secretary Ray LaHood in 2009. As Deputy General Counsel, Mr. Woods was awarded the "Secretary's Partnering for Excellence Award" and the "General Counsel's Team Award." Mr. Woods was also an associate and then partner at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, working on a variety of financial and corporate matters and focusing on both the United States and Latin America. Mr. Woods was a member of the firm's corporate practice, focused primarily on corporate finance, and advised a variety of corporations, banks and investors in domestic and cross-border mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures. Mr. Woods was a member of the firm's hiring committee, diversity committee and pro bono committee. Mr. Woods' practice and client service led him to be recognized by Chambers USA as a leading lawyer in New York in Banking and Finance, among other honors. Mr. Woods entered public service in 1995 as a trial attorney for the Department of Justice. There, he practiced as a civil litigator until 1998, primarily litigating cases around fraud and fraud-related activities.

"I have said time and again that my criteria for judges is guided by legal excellence, diversity and judicial moderation, and Gregory Woods fits this description to a "T'," added Schumer.

Mr. Woods has also done a signifigant amount of pro bono work with Practicing Attorneys for Law Students (PALS), an organization devoted to serving the needs of minority law students in the New York area. In addition to his time with PALS, Mr. Woods is a board member for the Union Settlement Association -- a social services organization serving East Harlem -- and previously worked pro bono as counsel to the New York City Investment Fund.

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