About Us
The Law Offices of J. Justin Woods PLLC is a boutique practice of trusted attorneys, planners, and strategists serving clients throughout the Finger Lakes, Central New York and the Southern Tier. We work closely with our clients to develop strategic legal solutions tailored to their unique needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you with your legal matter.
Values
Our Core Values are rooted in the highest quality standards, professional ethics, and community service. We are deeply committed to social, environmental, economic, and racial justice. To this end, we serve on the Assigned Counsel Panels in Tompkins and Cayuga Counties, and we do pro bono (free) and low bono (reduced rate) work. We also offer sliding scale and limited engagement opportunities because we believe everyone deserves the right to excellent legal counsel regardless of economic limitations.
Mission
Our Mission is to provide the best legal and consulting services to our clients; and to build, support, and advance just, resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities by promoting and upholding the US & NY constitutions, and our country’s rule of law.
Vision
Our Vision is a boutique practice of community lawyers, planners, and strategists serving nonprofits, municipal governments, small businesses, and individual clients.
Meet the Founder
J. Justin Woods, Esq., LL.M, MPA
Attorney – Planner – Strategist,
Sole Member
Justin has been solving public problems and advancing sustainable and equitable communities as a planner, community and economic developer, public administrator, and activist for over 25 years. Since being admitted to practice law in 2020, Justin has continued to advance social justice while developing a reputation for aggressively representing his clients in and out of the courtroom. He has successfully tried criminal and family law cases, including winning his first jury trial resulting in not guilty verdicts on 4 of 5 counts in the indictment, with a hung jury on the last count. While Justin is a passionate advocate for his clients, he also strives to negotiate fair and equitable results. Justin’s law degrees (JD, LL.M – Environmental Law) as well as his master’s degree (MPA) are from Pace University. When not working, Justin coaches his children’s hockey and rugby teams, and enjoys skiing, cycling, hiking, kayaking, and seeing live music.
Meet the Attorneys
James A. Baker, Esq.

Attorney – Advisor,
Of Counsel
Jim has been serving clients in Central New York and the Southern Tier for almost 45 years. Since 2001, his practice has focused exclusively on Criminal Defense. He defended two death penalty cases (one as lead counsel) and tried approximately ten murder cases. He also defended (and tried) many serious drug felonies, burglaries, robberies, assaults, and sex offense cases. Although Jim tried many cases successfully, he also derives great satisfaction from being able to aggressively negotiate fair resolutions for his clients without the risks and expenses of trial. After closing his own practice and retiring for a year, Jim joined our team in 2023. Jim’s law degree is from Cornell Law School. When not working, Jim enjoys hiking, biking, antiquing, and both playing and listening to music.
Trista O’Hara , Esq.

Attorney – Advisor,
Of Counsel
Trista has been serving clients in Central New York as a legal aid attorney working on consumer protection, bankruptcy defense, and advising indigent clients and pro se litigants for nearly 20 years, the majority of which was at Legal Services of Central New York, Inc. Her current practice focusses on representing parties in contested family court disputes, with a particular interest and focus on representing victims of parental alienation. She is also available for consultations on consumer protection, bankruptcy, and landlord and tenant issues, and she is working with the other firm attorneys on criminal matters. Trista’s law degree is from Syracuse University College of Law, and she holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the State University of New York at Buffalo (UB). When not working, Trista enjoys crafts, gardening, doing yoga, and playing and listening to music.
Meet the Support Team
Angela Judware

Legal Assistant – Case Manager – Notary Public
Angie joined our team with a diverse background in construction project management, sales, and guest services. Her combination of attention to detail and empathy are well suited to helping the attorneys serve our family court clients as they navigate complex and emotionally challenging situations. She is also a notary public and is available to notarize documents on behalf of our clients. When not working, Angela is into health and wellness, yoga, gardening and homesteading (including raising chickens).
June Shepardson

Legal Assistant – Case Manager
June joined our team after a long career in hospitality as well as working in local justice courts for over 25 years. She assists the attorneys with all aspects of supporting our clients, with a specific interest and emphasis on criminal law cases and discovery review. She is also the resident expert on our My Case system, and can answer all of your questions about the Client Portal. June also keeps all the office plants alive, and when she is not working, June travels to see her family, cares for cats and exotic birds, and takes care of the plants in her home.
"As General Counsel, Justin has drafted separation agreements and prevailed on a significant fee dispute saving us $10,000. He is also a valuable planner and strategic management consultant to our board and leadership team.”
— Danielle Wright, MBA CEO,
E. John Gavras Center
“For nearly 15 years, Justin has been a trusted advisor on planning, zoning, and land use development. As General Counsel to my companies, he continues to provide dependable counsel.”
— Karl Bender, PE estdevelopment. AOK Engineering, PLLC
& AOK Site Construction, Inc.
“I was charged with Felony DWI and a breathalyzer refusal. Despite a prior conviction, Justin articulated enough reasonable doubt to secure me a plea deal for a DWAI, a noncriminal violation. Because of this, I was able to qualify for a conditional license.”
— Alicia N
