We are deeply saddened to share the passing of our friend and colleague, Michael W. Wood, on November 18, 2025. Michael’s impact on Jackson Walker—and on the many lives he touched—was profound and enduring. He will be remembered for his unwavering integrity, intellect, and ability to bring people together with purpose and resolve.
“Michael was a fantastic mentor and an inspiring leader, with a rare gift for bringing people together and making everyone feel seen and valued. He sought excellence for our team, and not recognition for himself. He helped me so much when I transitioned into my management role.” said S. Priya Coffey, Managing Partner of the Houston office. “Michael was young at heart—super fit, endlessly active, and an avid sports lover who poured that passion into coaching his kids’ teams. He loved his life and above all, he adored his family; our hearts are with his beloved wife, Laurie Wheatland Wood, and his daughters, Lacy Christine Wood, Blair Wood Thrash, Lauren Wood Brady, and Ava Elizabeth Wood.”
“Michael was a fantastic mentor and an inspiring leader, with a rare gift for bringing people together and making everyone feel seen and valued.”
Mentorship
Partner Marisela Peña shared, “Michael was an incredible mentor and leader of our team. As a mentor he was steadfast in his support, honest in his guidance, and always sure to remind us of what we are capable of, even when we couldn’t see it ourselves. While he was our practice group leader, I know he spent countless hours behind the scenes supporting and building up others.
Marisela added, “To hear his family describe him only confirmed what we already knew: he was someone who poured so much of himself into the people he cared about. We are fortunate enough to have been a small part of that world.”
“As a mentor he was steadfast in his support, honest in his guidance, and always sure to remind us of what we are capable of, even when we couldn’t see it ourselves.”
Leadership and Legacy
Reflecting on Michael’s legacy, partner Kirk Tucker shared, “The loss of Michael touches many of us who had the pleasure of working with and learning from him. Michael was a trusted advisor, a thoughtful leader, and a mentor to many, and he revamped the Houston Corporate & Securities practice group into a group that works well together and enjoys being around each other. Not only was he a great attorney but also a good friend, husband, father, and grandfather. He and his judgment, advice, and great sense of humor will be missed.”
Partner William T. “Bill” Johnson said, “I have known Michael for 40 years. He expected the best from you and rewarded you with undying support. He was always supportive of me and trusted me with his most valuable clients. He was a man of his word and that says it all. I will miss him greatly and always be thankful to have known and worked with him.”
Partner Kurt D. Nondorf shared, “Michael Wood had a long and lasting effect on many people, myself included. Mike hired me out of law school at Wood, Campbell, Moody and Gibbs, an exceptional firm started by Mike and Wynn Campbell. He kept me on in a small boutique firm after Wood, Campbell unexpectedly splintered. Much later in Mike’s career, I had the great honor of helping hire Michael at Jackson Walker, where he immediately flourished and led our corporate group in Houston.”
Kurt added, “Michael was a picture of the best of Texas. He was a great athlete, a fierce competitor, a visionary leader, a great family man, a worthy friend, a faithful partner, and a thoughtful leader. There was no quit in Michael. Although he was generally a man of few words, I witnessed more than one occasion where Michael’s determined look was enough to turn the tide of a negotiation. It was my great privilege to have worked for and with Michael.”
“Michael Wood had a long and lasting effect on many people, myself included. It was my great privilege to have worked for and with Michael.”
Professional Achievements
Michael began his legal career in private practice before serving as senior vice president and chief executive officer of Azurix. A mentor in the truest sense, he was generous with his time and candid in his guidance.
As chair of the firm’s Houston Corporate & Securities practice group, Michael set a standard of excellence that inspired colleagues and clients alike. His rare judgment and instinct for strategy made him both a formidable negotiator and a trusted counselor in the boardroom and across the bargaining table. A certified mediator, Michael conducted more than 100 commercial mediations. In every capacity, he brought the same steady presence.
Michael’s commitment to the community matched his dedication to the profession. He supported programs at Rice University and devoted significant time to mentoring college and law students, investing in the next generation of leaders. He served on numerous community boards, including the Houston Ballet Foundation and Houston Grand Opera, and he chaired the fundraising effort for Houston’s Wortham Theater Center.
His legacy at Jackson Walker lives on in the matters he led, the clients he served, the colleagues he mentored, and the values he championed. He will be profoundly missed and forever remembered.
