Commercial Litigation Family Law
Pete Woods
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2014 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Mr. Woods' civil litigation and arbitration practice includes trials and appeals in federal and state court, with an emphasis on business litigation, family law and real estate. His business litigation experience includes the representation of a variety of clients (individuals and companies) and involving such diverse subjects as civil RICO, fraud, shareholder rights, Merchandise Act claims, breach of contract, personal injury, and terms and conditions of employment.
His family law practice regularly involves contested dissolution cases covering a wide range of issues such as spousal support, division of property and child custody. Mr. Woods has, at times, been specially retained to focus on valuing business interests, including professional practices. Subjects of his family law cases handled on appeal include the enforceability of post-nuptial agreements, spousal support rights after traumatic injuries, and the determination of marital/separate property rights in lengthy marriages.
His real estate cases have included eminent domain, zoning, contractor/developer disputes, professional liability and numerous and varied contractual disputes. Other matters he has briefed and argued on appeal include cases involving the Missouri Franchise Act, fraud, and tortious interference with business expectancies.
His family law practice regularly involves contested dissolution cases covering a wide range of issues such as spousal support, division of property and child custody. Mr. Woods has, at times, been specially retained to focus on valuing business interests, including professional practices. Subjects of his family law cases handled on appeal include the enforceability of post-nuptial agreements, spousal support rights after traumatic injuries, and the determination of marital/separate property rights in lengthy marriages.
His real estate cases have included eminent domain, zoning, contractor/developer disputes, professional liability and numerous and varied contractual disputes. Other matters he has briefed and argued on appeal include cases involving the Missouri Franchise Act, fraud, and tortious interference with business expectancies.
Overview
- University of Missouri, Bachelor of Arts, graduated 1978
- Washington University in St. Louis, J.D., graduated 1984
- Missouri, The Missouri Bar
- Mission St. Louis - Advisory Board Member, Volunteer
- American Bar Association - Section Member--Litigation and Family Law
- Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis - Section Member--Litigation
- Christian Legal Society - Member and Christian Legal Aid Volunteer
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes - Board Member (former)
- National Football League Players Association (retired chapter) - Former President, St. Louis Chapter, National Board Member
- Reconcilers, Inc. - Founder and President (racial reconciliation ministry)
- St. Louis Sports Commission - Board Member (former)
- United States District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
- City of St. Louis, Missouri, District Court
- County of St. Louis, Missouri, District Court
- County of St. Charles, Missouri, District Court
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- Missouri, The Missouri Bar
- Mission St. Louis - Advisory Board Member, Volunteer
- American Bar Association - Section Member--Litigation and Family Law
- Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis - Section Member--Litigation
- Christian Legal Society - Member and Christian Legal Aid Volunteer
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes - Board Member (former)
- National Football League Players Association (retired chapter) - Former President, St. Louis Chapter, National Board Member
- Reconcilers, Inc. - Founder and President (racial reconciliation ministry)
- St. Louis Sports Commission - Board Member (former)
- University of Missouri, Bachelor of Arts, graduated 1978
- Washington University in St. Louis, J.D., graduated 1984
- United States District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
- City of St. Louis, Missouri, District Court
- County of St. Louis, Missouri, District Court
- County of St. Charles, Missouri, District Court
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Commercial Litigation
- Family Law
Additional Areas of Practice:
- Appellate Practice
Awards:
- Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, Family Law
- University of Missouri Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame (Inducted 2022)
- Missouri Lawyers Media, Diversity and Inclusion Award (2019 Honoree)
- Missouri-Kansas Super Lawyer (as named by Law and Politics in Business Litigation, 2012 through 2022)
News & Media
Case History
Q&A
The essence of a strong commercial litigation attorney is advocacy-- whether at trial or before an appellate court, whether negotiating a settlement or presenting a client’s perspective to an investigative agency. My law firm (Haar & Woods, LLP) and I do not limit ourselves to particular areas of litigation; our experience has been that good advocates can effectively represent their clients in a broad range of contexts. Indeed, a varied litigation background can often yield fresh insights in any individual case.
There are practice areas, however, where Pete Woods and the law firm have developed particular knowledge and experience by virtue of the cases handled. Those cases are highlighted in the details provided on this website.
There are practice areas, however, where Pete Woods and the law firm have developed particular knowledge and experience by virtue of the cases handled. Those cases are highlighted in the details provided on this website.
I was asked to unravel a transaction involving a medical practice where my clients had purchased the practice and employed the former owner. They were required to terminate the prior owner/doctor from his employment agreement due to what they perceived as his improper actions in soliciting the practice's patients. The challenge in handling this case was in balancing the clients' interests with the inartful language of agreements they had previously signed--all while attempting to maintain the confidentiality of the records of the impacted patients.
My clients often present in desperate circumstances, requiring prompt legal actions, but without the facts or law of the situation being well-developed. The challenge is in navigating what are often unchartered waters on behalf of what can be unsophisticated clients--those who are not familiar with complicated business terminology and concepts. This is especially true of spouses in Family Law cases where the other party has been primarily responsible for generating the family's finances.
My father was a newspaper editor, but also served as an officer in the newspaper union (The Newspaper Guild), where my family would often join him in the annual conventions. His life of service was an inspiration. Likewise, my mother, Harriett Woods, served many constituencies as a city councilman, (MO) State Senator, Lieutenant Governor, and as national president of the Women's Political Caucus. Her willingness to fight for those with limited resources was the perfect role model as I have pursued a career in legal service to others.
Avid interest in sports, dating back to my career in football at the University of Missouri and with 5 NFL teams. I enjoy a spectator's role now, following the St. Louis Cardinals (Baseball) and Mizzou Tigers in numerous sports. Volunteer roles have included serving as a leader, on both a National and Local Level, for the National Football League Players Association, on the advisory board and volunteering as a mentor in the Mission: St. Louis, Beyond Jobs program. Other past roles include serving on the Boards of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the St. Louis Sports Commission, and as an officer and Chairman of local churches. I also enjoy speaking to audiences throughout the St. Louis area about legal and racial reconciliation topics.
My Christian faith is at the core of who I am, in all aspects of my life. My practice of law, like all attorneys, is an extension of who I am as a person and living my faith is very important to me.
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