Mike Williams stands out as a preeminent trial lawyer, adeptly representing individuals, businesses, and governments in their most critical legal battles. Widely lauded as “the best of a new generation” of courtroom advocates, his career is marked by consistent success across diverse and complex legal landscapes. From intricate products liability cases to high-stakes financial crisis litigation and crucial death penalty appeals, Michael Williams Lawyer has proven his mettle time and again. His approach, blending strategic insight honed in Asbury Park, New Jersey, with rigorous legal training culminating in a Supreme Court clerkship, positions him uniquely among a select group of former clerks regularly entrusted to lead jury trials for major U.S. and multinational corporations.
Expertise in Commercial Misconduct Disputes
A significant pillar of Michael Williams’ practice lies in his forceful advocacy in commercial misconduct disputes. A prime example of his success in this arena is the recovery of $665 million for Huntsman Corporation, a landmark achievement stemming from fraud related to Huntsman’s acquisition of Rockwood Holdings. The magnitude of this victory was underscored by a Wall Street analyst’s observation, “[W]hen I heard Kirkland & Ellis took on the case on a contingency fee basis, I’m like, ‘Well it’s just a matter of time.’” Adding to this acclaim, The American Lawyer highlighted the substantial $200 million fee award, citing it as evidence that Kirkland & Ellis’ strategic pivot towards contingency fee cases was yielding significant financial returns. This case underscores Michael Williams lawyer’s ability to navigate and win complex commercial disputes, delivering substantial results for his clients.
Products Liability and Toxic Tort Litigation Leadership
Michael Williams is also highly recognized for his courtroom prowess and strategic counsel in products liability, toxic tort, and environmental litigation. His role as national coordinating counsel and lead trial counsel for BASF in its extensive nationwide talc litigation is particularly noteworthy. This complex litigation once encompassed approximately 600 cases across both state and federal jurisdictions. Further demonstrating his expertise in this domain, Michael Williams also defended Huntsman Corporation against cancer claims linked to surfactant products. This case took a dramatic turn when the opposing plaintiffs’ lawyers faced imprisonment for their attempted extortion scheme, highlighting the high stakes and intense scrutiny inherent in such litigation. Michael Williams lawyer’s experience extends beyond the courtroom, encompassing strategic counsel on all facets of tort liability management, from due diligence in transactions to navigating restructuring and reorganization.
Broad Spectrum of High-Stakes Cases and Pro Bono Commitment
Beyond commercial and product liability, Michael Williams leads for clients in a wide array of other critical cases. He successfully represented the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in financial crisis litigation against banks, bondholders, creditors, and insurers following its 2017 default. His representation also extends to the governments of Guam and American Samoa in precedent-setting cases concerning sovereignty and territorial rights. In the realm of antitrust law, he served as lead counsel for Tronox Corporation in defending against the Federal Trade Commission’s unprecedented attempt to block Tronox’s acquisition of the Saudi National Titanium Dioxide Company. Complementing his demanding commercial practice, Michael Williams lawyer maintains a robust pro bono commitment. His dedication to serving those in need was recognized in 2022 when Kirkland & Ellis LLP honored him as “Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year” for his leadership in death penalty and civil rights litigation.
Elite Legal Education and Supreme Court Clerkship
Michael Williams’ exceptional legal career is underpinned by a stellar academic foundation. He earned his Juris Doctor, summa cum laude and first in his class, from Georgetown University Law Center. During his time there, he was a John M. Olin Fellow in Law & Economics and served as Senior Book Review & Special Projects Editor of The Georgetown Law Journal. Prior to law school, he received his Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, where he was a Peter F. Krogh Scholar and earned an Advanced Certificate in Asian Studies. His academic honors include induction into Phi Theta Alpha, Pi Sigma Alpha, and Omicron Delta Epsilon. Following law school, Michael Williams clerked for the Honorable Douglas H. Ginsburg, Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and for the Honorable Anthony Kennedy on the Supreme Court of the United States, experiences that have profoundly shaped his legal acumen. Since 2015, he has further contributed to the legal community by teaching Trial Advocacy at Georgetown University, mentoring the next generation of lawyers.
In conclusion, Michael Williams lawyer is a distinguished trial lawyer with a proven track record of success in complex, high-stakes litigation. His expertise spans commercial disputes, products liability, and various other critical legal areas. His commitment to both his clients and pro bono work, combined with his elite education and experience, solidifies his position as a leader in the legal profession.
