Douglas A. Winegardner
Shareholder
Experience
Practices
Industries
“It’s great working with friends in a field that is interesting and challenging.”
Doug Winegardner
About
Biography
Douglas Winegardner brings in-depth knowledge and integrity when serving clients in aviation litigation, admiralty and maritime law, and insurance coverage and insurance litigation. A former U.S. Navy JAG Corps Officer and Trial Attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice, Doug has experience litigating complex cases in courts throughout the country. Whether you’re in the aviation or maritime industries or in a general liability insurance industry, Doug is ready to support your success at every step.
Doug brings leadership to our Sands Anderson team, serving as chair of the Aviation and Admiralty team, as well as a member of our Litigation Group. His drive and genuine interest in his field help support his client’s unique legal needs. Doug’s individual strengths and our collaborative community foster his ability to design creative solutions to support each client’s goals and success. He brings professional and honest guidance for clients through one-on-one consultations built on trust and understanding.
Prior to joining our firm in 2001, Doug served in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He was assigned first as a defense attorney and later served as prosecutor in Central- and Southern Florida. He also worked at JAG’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. concentrating on Admiralty and Maritime law. Doug also served in the Navy Reserve from 2001 to 2004, handling general litigation for the Navy Department. Additionally, Doug worked for two years as a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Aviation and Admiralty Litigation Section in Washington, D.C. While there, he represented various agencies in aviation and maritime lawsuits including:
- Department of Transportation
- Federal Aviation Administration
- National Weather Service
- Military Departments
These experiences have provided him with the thorough legal support and in-depth perspectives to help each client come out ahead.
When not in the office, Doug enjoys staying active, riding motorcycles, and spending time with his wife, two sons and their German Shepard, Sauerkraut.
Professional Highlights
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Defended accidental bombing litigation in Vieques, Puerto Rico
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Defended the United States in the civil litigation stemming from the Marine Corps jet’s collision with a ski gondola in Cavalese, Italy
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Represented airlines and ground support companies in airport accidents
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Represented airports in ground collision of airliner with truck
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Represented insurance companies in coverage opinions and insurance policy litigation
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Represented utility company in 5 -fatal helicopter crash
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Represented utility company and insurer in 3-fatal hot air balloon crash
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Tried or otherwise handled in a wide variety of other cases including major aviation disasters, major ship collisions and shipboard accidents, and a variety of aviation and maritime accident suits
Recognition
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Best Lawyers in America® in Admiralty and Maritime Law & Litigation - Insurance, 2016 - 2024
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Virginia "Legal Elite", Alternative Dispute Resolution, Virginia Business magazine
2011 - 2022 -
Aviation Insurance Association Eagle Society
Favorite Book
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Wrath
by my 15-year old son Ryan Winegardner
Background
Education
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Ohio University
B.S.J., E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, 1990 -
Capital University Law School
J.D., Order of the Curia, 1994
Admissions
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U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Services
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U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
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U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
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U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
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U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia
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U.S. Supreme Court
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Virginia
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Ohio (inactive)
Involvement
Professional Affiliations
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Aviation Insurance Association
Inducted into Eagle Society in 2014 -
DRI Aviation Committee
Former Membership Chairman -
Federal Bar Association
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International Aviation and Transportation Safety Bar Association
(Formerly: National Transportation Safety Board Bar Association) -
Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association
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Maritime Law Association
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Organization of Flying Adjusters
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Southeast Admiralty Law Institute
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U.S. Navy JAG Corps
1994-2000 -
U.S. Navy Reserve
Lieutenant Commander 2001-2004 -
Virginia Association of Defense Lawyers
Community Service
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Ashland Little League
Baseball Coach/Manager, 2004 - present -
Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society, Virginia Aviation Museum
Board of Directors 2014-2016
President 2016 – 2017
Publications
Publications by Douglas A. Winegardner
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"The Anti-False Testimony Principle And The Fundamentals Of Ethical Preparation Of Deposition Witnesses", Catholic University Law Review, V59:1, 2009, with Stephen M. Goldman, Ph.D., Esq.
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"Behind Closed Doors: Preventing False Deposition Testimony", Journal of the Section of Litigation, Summer 2010, V 34, N 4, with Stephen M. Goldman, Ph.D., Esq. (link requires ABA membership)
News by Douglas A. Winegardner
News About Douglas A. Winegardner
- Twenty-Seven Sands Anderson Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America®
- Forty-Four Sands Anderson Lawyers Named to 2022 Virginia Business Legal Elite
- Twenty-Three Sands Anderson Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America®
- Twenty-One Sands Anderson Attorneys Named as 2022 Best Lawyers in America®
- Forty Sands Anderson Lawyers Named to 2020 Virginia Business Legal Elite
- Twenty-One Sands Anderson attorneys named to 2021 Best Lawyers® List
- Forty Sands Anderson Lawyers Named to 2019 Virginia Business Legal Elite
- Twenty-One Sands Anderson attorneys named to 2020 Best Lawyers® List
- Thirty-One Sands Anderson Lawyers Named to 2018 Virginia Business Legal Elite
- Twenty-Three Sands Anderson attorneys named to 2019 Best Lawyers® list