Getting to Know: Robert Wood

Attorney Robert (Bob) Wood is a member of the Litigation and Insurance practice group at Willingham & Coté P.C. in East Lansing, and practices insurance law.

He represents insurance companies by defending against disputed policyholders’ claims.

His practice involves mainly first party no-fault insurance personal injury protection (PIP) benefits.

Wood previously worked at a Detroit/Grand Rapids plaintiffs’ firm for three years, including serving as Managing Attorney at the Grand Rapids location. He litigated first and third party no-fault cases statewide.

A graduate of Michigan State University with a B.A. in accounting, he earned his J.D. from WMU-Cooley Law School, where he was an Honors Scholarship Recipient.

Wood is a native of Bath, northeast of Lansing, and currently lives in Haslett.


What would surprise people about your job? The amount of driving involved. We have to drive all over the state for court appearances and meetings. I listen to audio books on my phone/Bluetooth and sometimes music to the pass the time. It’s great to get to go to all different parts of the state because everyplace is a little bit different. 
 

Why did you become a lawyer? I like to solve problems. I have to review all sorts of records and statements and make sense of it—figure out what’s related what not and if something makes sense or not.
 
What’s your favorite law-related movie, and book? “The Firm” by John Grisham. (both the book and the movie, which I still have on VHS).
 
What do you do to relax? I like to ride my bicycle and anything having to do with my dogs, a German shorthair pointer and a Lab/beagle mix. I primarily ride my bike on dirt roads and trails but I’ll ride on the Inter-Urban pathway on occasion.
 
What other career path might you have chosen? Farmer. I like being outdoors and working with my hands. I’m currently working on a small apple orchard.
 
Favorite local hangouts? El-Azteco (either East Lansing or west Saginaw). I’m a huge fan of the burrito plate.

Favorite websites? willinghmacote.com.
 
Favorite app? Outlook e-mail app—that way I’m never disconnected from my e-mail.
 
What do you wish someone would invent? Flying cars.
 
What’s the most awe-inspiring place you’ve ever been? The UP. My family has a cabin up there and we would go there when I was a child. I like to go to Tahquamenon at least once a year—there’s a walking trail that links the Upper and Lower Falls.
 
If you could have one super power, what would it be? The ability to pause time.
 
What’s one thing you would like to learn to do? Go SCUBA diving.
 
What is something most people don't know about you? I collect old books.
 
What’s the best advice you ever received? “You don’t find yourself, you build yourself.” I read this online somewhere and it stuck.
 
Favorite place to spend money? Meijer—I can get everything in one spot.
 
What is the most unusual thing you have done? I went to Sturgis, S.D. for the motorcycle rally last fall. I’m not a biker so it was an interesting experience. We took an RV out there and it was basically two days there and two days back. I got to see the Marshall Tucker Band, Lynard Skynard, Eric Church, and Kid Rock so that was cool.