John R. Woodrum

Prior to joining Ogletree Deakins, Mr. Woodrum was a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Heenan, Althen & Roles. He concentrates in pension and employee benefits litigation. He also works extensively on issues arising under federal labor laws and collective bargaining agreements.

Mr. Woodrum’s practice emphasizes preventive law and maintaining compliance with state and federal laws which govern employee rights and entitlements. He represents employers in arbitration and federal court litigation, defending claims brought by multi-employer pension and welfare plans, government agencies, and employees under ERISA and other employee benefit statutes. He routinely counsels and defends employers in disputes with employees, retirees and other claimants involving pension benefits, severance pay, health care benefits, and other entitlements claims.

Immediately prior to joining Heenan, Althen & Roles, Mr. Woodrum served as the Field Solicitor for the Department of the Interior in Charleston, West Virginia (1979-1983). In that position he was responsible for all administrative and federal court litigation in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland related to the regulatory initiatives assigned to him. During the 1970s, he served as a labor union counsel and in that capacity was responsible for collective bargaining and legal issues related to pensions, health care and employee benefits.

Mr. Woodrum is a frequent speaker at seminars and national conferences on pension, employee benefits and labor topics. He contributes regularly to professional publications such as law review journals and the BNA Pension Reporter, and serves as Trustee of the Energy and Mineral Law Foundation. He is a member of the California and District of Columbia bars, and is admitted to practice before various federal district and circuit courts, including the United States Supreme Court.