Unicorn: Douglas J. Wood, award winning Author and global Law Partner

Legal Unicorns

Another MUST listen for every Attorney in the world who cares about their career, their firm, and their future.
Wherever you are at in your career - this is an incredible guide to building a legal practice and then exiting.
We talk a lot about his newest book, From Dawn to Dusk: How to Build a Multimillion Dollar Law Practice and Then Give It Away. Which guides the reader through the steps to building your practice, and the difficulties of stepping away when its time to retire.
Douglas J. Wood is a distinguished lawyer and author with a prolific career spanning over four decades in the legal field. He is known for his expertise in criminal defence and advertising law, as well as for his contributions as an author.
Legal Career
Criminal Defence.
Douglas J. Wood began his legal career after being admitted to practice law in 1977. He initially served as a trial attorney with the District of Columbia Public Defender Service, where he handled a wide range of criminal cases, including serious felonies, from 1977 to 1984.
In 1985, he co-founded the litigation firm Roberts & Wood in Maryland, where he continues to represent clients in both state and federal courts. Over his career, Wood has conducted more than 50 jury trials in homicide cases alone and has been recognised as one of the top criminal defence attorneys in the D.C. metropolitan area.
Advertising Law
In addition to his criminal defence work, Wood has established himself as a leading authority in advertising law. He is a senior partner at Reed Smith LLP and has served as General Counsel to several prominent trade organisations, including the Association of National Advertisers.
His expertise has earned him recognition in prestigious legal rankings such as Chambers and The Best Lawyers in America.
Authorship
Douglas J. Wood is also an accomplished author with several notable publications:
- Legal Texts: He wrote "Please Be Ad-Vised: A Legal Reference Guide for the Advertising Executive," which is considered an essential resource for advertising professionals.
- Fatherly Advice: His books "101 Things I Want to Say to My Son/Daughter" provide personal insights and advice to his children.
- Fiction: Wood has authored the political thriller "Presidential Intentions," which explores the challenges faced by a woman running for president, as well as other novels like "Blood on the Bayou," which delves into crime and suspense.
Fiction
Blood on the Bayou (2022) - A thriller about a serial killer in New Orleans.
The Shakespeare Killer (2023) - A sequel to *Blood on the Bayou*.
Dark Data: Control, Alt, Delete (2019) - A thriller focused on cyberwar and financial terrorism.
Dragon on the Far Side of the Moon (2020) - A thriller involving a geopolitical struggle for lunar resources.
Non-Fiction
Asshole Attorney: Memories, Musings, and Missteps in A 40-Year Career (2018) - A memoir that won the 2019 Independent Press Award for Best Humour and Wit.
Please Be Ad-Vised: A Legal Reference Guide for the Advertising Executive - Now in its seventh edition, this book is considered a crucial resource for advertising professionals.
101 Things I Want to Say to My Son/Daughter Series:
101 Things I Want to Say to My Son, Joshua, on Graduating College (2013)
101 Things I Want to Say to My Daughter, Meghan, on Beginning College (2013)
101 Things I Want to Say to My Daughter, Andrea, on Beginning Her Career (2013)
101 Things I'd Like to Say...the Collection: A Father's Advice to His Children on Reaching a Passage in Their Lives (2014)
From Dawn to Dusk: How to Build a Multimillion Dollar Law Practice and Then Give It Away (2024) - A guide for new lawyers on building a successful practice.