About Jim

James R. Woodward, a partner in Gray Pannell & Woodward LLP’s Athens office, focuses his practice primarily in the areas of public finance and economic development incentives. Mr. Woodward represents counties, cities, school districts, authorities, hospitals, private companies, non-profit schools, trustee banks, lending institutions and investment bankers throughout the State of Georgia in a variety of tax-exempt and taxable public finance transactions, including governmental general obligation and revenue bond financings, special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) bond financings, installment sale financings, tax anticipation notes, governmental and 501(c)(3) hospital financings, and private school financings. Mr. Woodward also represents development authorities and other public entities and private companies in connection with economic development incentives.

A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Mr. Woodward received a B.A. from Stanford University (1996) and a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law (1999).

Mr. Woodward is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, the National Association of Bond Lawyers, the Association County Commissioners of Georgia and the Georgia Municipal Association.

Mr. Woodward has been named as one of Georgia Trend Magazine’s “Legal Elite”, as one of Atlanta Magazine’s “Super Lawyers”, was recently included in the 2024 edition of Best Lawyers in America® for Public Finance Law, and has been listed in Southern Business & Development magazine as one of the top four best lawyers in Georgia for economic matters in the South’s 17 states.

Mr. Woodward was appointed by Governor Deal to the Partnership for Public Facilities and Infrastructure Act Guidelines Committee (Public Private Partnerships (P3)) and is currently serving as the chair of this committee.