About Lance J.
Lance J. Wood studied government at the University of Redlands before earning his law degree from the University of Denver in 2001. He later attended the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College in 2015, a program many trial attorneys choose to refine courtroom technique and strategy. Those educational steps shaped a career that has moved between military, public service and private practice.
Fresh out of law school, Wood entered the United States Air Force JAG Corps in 2001. He spent those early years handling military legal work, which included advising commanders, conducting courts-martial and representing service members. The experience gave him regular exposure to criminal and administrative military matters and to the practical demands of practicing law under military rules.
After active duty, Wood spent time in the private sector as claims litigation counsel for State Farm in 2011, where he handled coverage and litigation issues for a national insurance carrier. He then worked at Bachus & Schanker in 2012, gaining further trial and civil litigation experience. That mix of insurance defense and civil practice broadened his understanding of litigation strategy outside the military context.
By 2013 Wood had moved into public defense as a lawyer with the Pima County Public Defender. The role returned him to criminal advocacy and courtroom work. Two years later he co-founded Military Trial Defenders, PLLC and also established Wood Law, PLLC. The firms were created to provide defense services to military members and civilians, offering representation at courts-martial, administrative boards and related proceedings.
Wood is admitted to practice in Arizona and Colorado. His federal credentials include admission to the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona and to the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. Professional involvement has been a consistent part of his career. He has belonged to the State Bar of Colorado and the Pima County Bar Association. He served as treasurer of an American Inns of Court chapter beginning in 2014. He is also a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and Arizona Lawyers for Criminal Justice.
Colleagues describe his background as a blend of military courtroom experience and hands-on criminal defense in civilian courts. He prepares cases for trial, represents clients at courts-martial and handles appeals in military and federal forums. He continues to practice through Military Trial Defenders, PLLC and Wood Law, PLLC. His current practice concentrates on military defense, courts-martial and related appellate work.
