Natalie Woodward | Robert Richard Lucas v. City of Braswell et al. | $1 million verdict

This week, your hosts Steve Lowry and Yvonne Godfrey interview Natalie Woodward of Shamp Jordan Woodward (https://www.sjwtriallaw.com/).

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Episode Details:

Shamp Jordan Woodward founding partner Natalie Woodward shares discusses how she secured justice for the former Chief of Police for the City of Braswell, Georgia after he was falsely arrested and maliciously prosecuted by the Mayor, City Manager and subsequent Chief of Police for the City of Braswell over a reimbursement dispute. In 2007, Robert Richard Lucas was initially told by the Mayor that he would be reimbursed for the purchase of used vehicles for the police department, but after five months of waiting, the Mayor and City Manager informed Robert that they considered the vehicle to be a non-reimbursable donation to the City. Unable to reach an agreement, Robert resigned as the Chief of Police and took possession of the vehicle, as the title was still in his name. The City of Braswell reported the car stolen and continued to pursue criminal prosecution with a warrant for Robert's arrest, despite a neighboring county officer's determination that the vehicle ownership dispute was a civil matter. Robert was unjustly placed in a holding cell with criminals who were likely well aware of his previous law enforcement position. In spite of the defense's attempts to utilize a reimbursement check that didn't materialize until after the lawsuit was filed, trial lawyer Natalie Woodward emphasized the lack of proper procedure and Georgia Bureau of Investigation involvement. In 2010, a Rome, Georgia jury returned a verdict in favor of Robert, awarding $1 million in compensatory and punitive damages against the defendants.

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Guest Bio:

Natalie Woodward

Anyone who meets Natalie Woodward feels like they have known her their entire life. It is this ability to put people at ease that makes her such an effective trial lawyer. Indeed in her very first jury trial as lead counsel, she secured a $1 million verdict in a wrongful arrest case.

Natalie has extensive experience in personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, false arrest, and malicious prosecution.

A native of Powder Springs, Natalie is a venerable “Double Dawg.” She received undergraduate degrees in Journalism and Political Science. She then attended and graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law. While at UGA Law, she was the Chair of the Moot Court Board and a member of the champion Intrastate Moot Court Team.

Natalie is a member of the Executive Committee for the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, is a member of the Atlanta Trial Lawyers Society, and serves on several non-profit boards. She has chaired the Small Firm Practice Section of the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia and was selected as one of the Best Young Lawyers in Georgia by Atlanta Magazine.

Prior to founding Shamp Speed Jordan Woodward, Natalie began her career at Brinson Askew Berry in Rome, Georgia. She also practiced at Commander & Pound, before starting her own firm in Roswell. She has also worked for both Federal District Court Judge Charles Pannell and Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Leah Sears.

Natalie is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the State of Georgia, as well as all other trial and appellate courts in the State of Georgia.

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Free Resources:

Stages Of A Jury Trial - Part 1

Stages Of A Jury Trial - Part 2