An AV® Preeminent™ Rated Texas Civil Attorney and Mediator, Mr. Williams received his education from Washington and Lee University (B.A., Economics and B.A., American History [double major], 1985, Cum Laude) and Texas Tech University (J.D., 1988). He was admitted to the Texas Bar and is licensed by the Texas Supreme Court to practice in all courts of the state of Texas. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, the U.S. District Court, Western District of Oklahoma, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. He has also been admitted pro hac vice in numerous other courts throughout the United States including courts in Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi and Alabama, the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas and the U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas. Mr. Williams is a 5th generation Texan and a cancer survivor.
Mr. Williams is a professional mediator with Texas certification. He has successfully completed required training in Dispute Resolution Techniques, in compliance with the Alternative Dispute Resolution Procedures Act, Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code, Section 154.052 (A) and which satisfies the standards set forth by the Texas Mediation Trainers Roundtable (TMTR), Texas Association of Mediators (TAM), and Texas Mediator Credentialing Association (TMCA) and approved by the State Bar of Texas for appointment, membership and continuing education. He is qualified with the appropriate mediator certification credentials required by the State of Texas to be appointed by the courts of Texas to serve as a mediator of civil litigation matters across the state.
He is a mediator with course completion meeting requirements of the Texas Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) statutes and the requirements for mediation in many other states. Mediation course training includes subjects such as Introduction to Mediation; What is Mediation?; Process Neutrality; Role of Mediator; Mediation Styles: Conference and Caucus; Mediation Models; Listening Skills: A Mediator's Most Important Tool; Active Listening and Barriers; Two-Way Exchange; Professionalism in Mediation; Dealing with Third Parties and Difficult People; Issues Clarification; Interests Versus Positions; Questioning Techniques; Clarifying Mediable Issues; Issue Prioritization; Cultural Considerations in Mediation; High/Low Context; Generating Options; Bargaining and Negotiations; Impasse: Causes and Strategies, Caucus as a Tool; Introduction to Mediator Ethics; Core Principles: Neutrality, Confidentiality, Conflict of Interest; Case Studies in Mediator Ethics; Mediation Agreements, Tips to Get the Best Mediation Results, Reality Testing Techniques in Mediation.
Mr. Williams is an attorney and a mediator. He possesses extensive experience in a wide variety of transactional work and civil matters, including contracts, employment law and business representation, insurance, contractor law, nonsubscriber, real estate and commercial litigation, having long concentrated his practice representing businesses and business owners. His emphasis is on Texas outside general counsel services for Texas businesses, including business law representation, contracts and business formation, employer representation, human resources consulting, non-subscriber employer representation, contractor and subcontractor representation, real estate and property valuation and appraised value disputes, workplace injury, and 3PL/logistics and transportation representation. He also provides custom services such as litigation management, oversight and consulting, as well as serving as a neutral mediator. He provides services such as Texas local counsel, Pro Hac Vice assistance, and foreign judgment enforcement for out-of-state attorneys and clients.
He is experienced in a variety of commercial litigation and warranty defense cases. In addition to having a vast array of transactional experience, he has handled hundreds of civil and business cases in litigation. He has provided representation in a variety of heavy litigation such as business disputes, real estate and property disputes, employment law defense, products and premises liability actions, contractor and construction litigation, accident cases, wrongful death cases, subrogation cases, D.T.P.A claims and in defense of workplace injury and non-subscriber claims. He has substantial trial and appellate experience in a variety of cases and has handled hundreds of administrative hearings. He also has substantial mediation and arbitration experience. From 1990 to 1994 he served as Counsel to Travelers (TRV) Insurance Company in Dallas. He is also a former Assistant City Attorney for the City of Dallas and former prosecutor.
He has handled lawsuits, mediations, hearings, arbitrations or depositions in many Texas Counties including such counties as Tarrant, Dallas, Ector, Midland, El Paso, Lubbock, Hale, Donley, Baylor, Archer, Clay, Red River, Montague, Grayson, Young, Jack, Wise, Denton, Collin, Nolan, Tom Green, Rains, Eastland, Potter, Erath, Comanche, Taylor, Palo Pinto, Parker, Johnson, Hood, Somervell, Erath, Rockwall, Stephens, Hunt, Kaufman, Ellis, Navarro, Bosque, Randall, San Saba, Travis, Hill, Williamson, Gregg, Leon, Harris, Montgomery, Guadalupe, Chambers, Walker, Jefferson, Orange, Panola, San Augustine, Wood, Dallam, Victoria, Mills, McLennan, Hidalgo, Freestone, Wichita, Hopkins, Lamar, Starr, Limestone, Henderson, Galveston, Hardeman, Smith, Bowie, Trinity, Madison, Titus, Cass, Panola, Fort Bend, Nueces, Runnels, Brazoria, Shelby, Anderson, Kerr, Hays, Gillespie, Van Zandt, Cameron, Cherokee, Nacogdoches, Hamilton, Bell, Coryell, Harrison, Rusk, Fannin, Angelina and Cooke.
He has attended administrative hearings in such locations as Fort Worth, Dallas, Denton, Waco, Austin, Abilene, Weslaco, Wichita Falls, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Tyler, Mt. Pleasant, Lubbock, San Angelo, Lufkin, Bryan, College Station, Beaumont, Houston, Victoria, El Paso, Harlingen, Corpus Christi, and San Antonio.
He has attended depositions, mediations or court matters in Michigan, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, Kansas, Maryland, California, Texas, Tennessee, Washington DC, New York, Georgia, Louisiana, New Mexico, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Indiana.
Mr. Williams is also a member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution/Mediation Section, State Bar of Texas, Corporate Counsel Section, State Bar of Texas, Business Law Section, State Bar of Texas and Labor and Employment Law Section, State Bar of Texas and Real Estate Law Section, State Bar of Texas. His further qualifications as a mediator include:
Certifications

Qualified with the appropriate mediator certification credentials required by the State of Texas to be appointed by the courts of Texas to serve as a mediator of civil litigation matters.

Successfully completed required training in Dispute Resolution Techniques, in compliance with the Alternative Dispute Resolution Procedures Act, Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code, Section 154.052 (A) and which satisfies the standards set forth by the Texas Mediation Trainers Roundtable (TMTR), Texas Association of Mediators (TAM), and Texas Mediator Credentialing Association (TMCA) and approved by the State Bar of Texas for appointment, membership and continuing education

Certified by the State of Texas and eligible to be appointed as an attorney for an applicant for guardianship and a court appointed attorney in guardianship proceedings, including an Attorney Ad Litem in Texas courts

 
Appointments

Served as a Tarrant County Special Commissioner

Appointed by the Tarrant County courts, to hear and decide condemnation and real property valuation cases in Tarrant County

Served in deciding condemnation and real property valuation matters involving such governmental entities as the State of Texas, the City of Fort Worth and the City of Colleyville

Honors

Awarded the AV® Preeminent™ Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, the country’s leading legal directory for 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 with a 4.9 rating. In 2015, he achieved the highest possible rating (5.0 out of 5.0). The rating was awarded to less than five percent of all attorneys across the United States. This designation is a widely respected mark of achievement; it differentiates an attorney from his or her competition. The Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ are an objective indicator of an attorney’s high ethical standards and professional ability, generated from evaluations of attorneys by other members of the bar and the judiciary. The AV® Preeminent™ Rating is the highest possible rating given by LexisNexis-Martindale and is established on a peer-review basis. It signifies that Mr. Williams has been rated as having the best possible scores for legal abilities and ethical standards. It is a nationally recognized acknowledgment of an attorney’s accomplishments and skills and is known to position him among the elite practitioners in the country.

Awarded the highest possible Judicial Ranking by the Judiciary in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 and has been awarded the Judicial AV® Preeminent™ Designation by American Registry and Martindale-Hubbell.

Voted by his peers and awarded the Top Attorney Rating by Fort Worth, Texas Magazine in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. Also listed as one of Tarrant County’s Top Lawyers in Fort Worth, Texas Magazine, 2002, Insurance Defense category.

Awarded a  “Superb” Rating by AVVO (a perfect score of 10.0 out of 10.0) for 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 , 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, a Top Attorney rating calculated using a mathematical model that evaluates relevant data in an attorney’s profile, including experience, disciplinary history, professional achievements, client reviews, peer reviews and industry recognition .The rating system periodically collects background data from multiple sources, including state bar associations, court records, lawyer websites, and other information, and is considered a premier consumer dedicated attorney rating system.

Given the prestigious distinction by Lawyers.com of being named a Preeminent Attorney, reflecting the highest level of professional excellence. (2025)

Selected Member (former) of the prestigious Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM Alliance), an alliance comprised of insurance companies, corporations, Corporate Counsel, Litigation and Risk Managers, claims professionals and insurance defense attorneys. Through education and collaboration, the organization’s goals are to create a common interest in representation by firms of companies, and to promote and further the highest standards of litigation management in pursuit of client defense. Selected attorneys and law firms are extended membership by invitation only based on nominations from CLM Fellows (2014)

Named by American Registry to The Registry™ of Business and Professional Excellence, attaining the “America’s Most Honored Professionals” Recognition for 2018

Selected by ALM to be included in the 2017 and 2018 Annual section of Texas’s Top-Rated Lawyers in The Texas Lawyer.

Invited to be included in the 2016 publication of Legal Leaders: Insurance Law in The American Lawyer, The National Law Journal and Corporate Counsel.

Selected to be included in U.S. News Lawyer Directory Best Lawyers in 2018.

Selected as a 2019 Top Rated Litigator for inclusion in Corporate Counsel & The American Lawyer magazines

Led the firm to becoming selected by Newsweek.com for inclusion in Premier Law Firms (2019)

Selected by Expertise.com as among the Top 17 Litigation Attorneys serving Fort Worth, Texas in 2018.  Expertise.com scored litigation attorneys on more than 25 variables across five categories, including reputation, credibility, experience, availability and professionalism and analyzed the results to give a hand-picked list of the best litigation attorneys in Fort Worth, Texas

Selected as a Top-Rated Lawyer in Insurance Law by ALM Legal Leaders (2018)

Selected as within the Top 1% and named “Best of the Best” Attorneys, and one of “America’s Most Honored Lawyers” for 2025 by The American Registry, which reviews industry data and recognition criteria throughout the world to identify and award top lawyers

Commended in a 2015 American Banking and Market News Press Release for achieving the AV Preeminent® Rating – the Highest Possible Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®

Led the firm to being selected as one of the “10 Best Law Firms for Texas” by The American Institute of Legal Counsel (AIOLC) for workers’ comp litigation defense which recognizes excellence of practitioners in their practice areas. This is a significant achievement as each firm must be formally nominated by the Institute, clients, and/or fellow attorneys, have attained the highest degree of professional achievement and have an impeccable Client Satisfaction Rating, with client satisfaction being of paramount importance (2018)

Invited to join the Lawyers of Distinction in Times Square Honorary Organization, based upon the review and vetting process of its Selection Committee (2018)

Received the Distinguished Lawyer Designation© from The Expert Network which is conferred upon the Top 3% of Lawyers in the nation (2016)

Received 50 Peer Reviews over the years rating his performance as an attorney with 100% highly favorable reviews, which are publicly available online at the Martindale.com Legal Directory

Assisted counsel to being selected to the Top 50 Lawyers In America list by America's Top Lawyers (2026)

Recognized for achievement and advancement in Fort Worth Business Press (1996)

Selected as a Top Litigation Attorney in Texas by Expertise.com (2023)

Selected as an Elite Lawyer by the Elite Lawyer Advisory Panel. This is a prestigious nomination which is presented only to legal professionals who are able to meet or exceed its demanding criteria, it sets these exceptional attorneys apart from their peers (2025, 2026)

Led the firm to being selected for the Global 100 Legal Awards-Best Law Practice Business (2026)

Selected for inclusion in The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, an exclusive, invitation-only network recognizing the nation’s most accomplished trial lawyers (2025)

Selected for inclusion in Top Lawyers USA, a national platform recognizing exceptional attorneys across the nation per Elite Experts, USA (2025)

Authored Documents and Continuing Education Course Instruction

Featured speaker at the Introduction to Workers Compensation Seminar, Lorman Education Services (2001).

Author of “Defenses to Workers Compensation Claims” (Lorman Education Services 2001).

Featured speaker at the Workers Compensation in Texas Seminar, Lorman Education Services (2000).

Author of “Recent Appeals Panel and Case Law Update” (Lorman Education Services 2000)

Author of “Adjudication of Workers Compensation Claims in District Court” (Lorman Education Services 2000)

Author of “Non-Subscriber Issues and Update” (Lorman Education Services 2000)

Co-author of “Supplemental Income Benefits Based on Ratable Impairment” (Spring 1997 edition of The Examiner)

Presentations and Training
Presented various training information to businesses, clients, claims universities, human relations departments and insurance personnel regarding business, insurance and employment issues, litigation, claims, prevention, investigation and evaluation, including such topics as:

"What Non-Subscription Means for Texas Employers"

"Employment Law Issues for Human Resources Departments"

"The Anatomy of a Lawsuit"

"How to Appraise Economic Damages"

“The Role of Defense Counsel in Defending Negligence Claims”

"What Corporate Counsel Expects from Claim Handlers"

"Transportation Laws that Impact Trucking Claims in Texas"

"How Depositions Can Make or Break Your Lawsuit"

“Evaluating Personal Injury Damages”

“Automobile Accidents and the Claims Adjuster”

“Mediation Strategies for Insurance Claims”

"Real Property Valuation and Loss Issues Arising in Insurance Litigation"

"Managing Litigation in Multiple Venues, Jurisdictions and States"

"Contractors and Subcontractors in Texas Workplace Litigation"

"Claims Investigations and the Witness Statement"

"Do’s and Don’ts of Depositions"

"The Keys to Effective Negotiations"

 
Representative Case Matters
What are some examples of matters Mr. Williams has handled, led or been involved in which he and firm members have obtained successful outcomes?

Successfully assisted in negotiations of numerous Commercial Lease and Operating Agreements involving millions of dollars on behalf of Regional Transportation Companies

Successfully defended a large international Transportation Industry Company in a lawsuit with a $16 million demand

Successfully resolved several Breach of Contract lawsuits involving millions of dollars in dispute of a regional Third-Party Logistics company (3PL)

Provided valuable legal consulting in a seven-figure construction case alleging property damages in which a fire protection services provider was successfully removed from litigation

Updated Employment Policy Manuals for dozens of states on behalf of a national Commercial Real Estate Industry Company

Obtained a $0 judgment in favor of a services provider in a negligence and breach of contract action, in a case with a demand of over $700,000

In Intervention and Subrogation actions, successfully recovered substantial sums of money owed to a large out of state Commerce and Trade Association

Successfully represented a national Financial Services Provider in a high dollar dispute regarding a debt cancellation agreement

Successfully defended a national retail store in a large exposure Premises Liability Lawsuit

Obtained a $0 judgment in favor of a professional services provider in a wrongful death case

Successfully defended a vault services provider in a breach of contract, fraud, and DTPA action alleging hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages

Obtained favorable outcome on behalf of pharmaceutical services provider against allegations of negligence in a wrongful death lawsuit

Obtained numerous favorable judgments on behalf of regional oil and gas services and management company

Obtained a $0 judgment in favor of a manufacturer in an employment related lawsuit with allegations of damages exceeding $600,000

Obtained a successful judgment of a nominal dollar amount in a wrongful death case arising out of dram shop and negligence causes of action against a large national organization

Successfully defended a Discrimination lawsuit brought against a national manufactured housing corporation

Successfully defended school district in multiple bus accident litigation

Updated Employment Policy Manuals for regional Third-Party Logistics company (3PL) in the Transportation field

Successfully defended a class action of hundreds of employee injury claims involving millions of dollars against an international chemical manufacturer

Obtained the dismissal of a high value serious injury case on behalf of a Non-Subscriber Employer in a motor vehicle accident claim

Obtained favorable resolution on behalf of small business owners and medium sized companies against former employees who were alleged to have violated non-competition agreements, non -solicitation agreements, proprietary agreements, or non -disclosure agreements (NDA's)

Successfully defended high dollar construction damages claim involving underground cable services company

Successfully defended numerous work injury lawsuits involving a prominent global air carrier

Successfully defended a national Financial Services Provider in a lawsuit with allegations of damages exceeding a million dollars involving a Farm Equipment Dealer’s Retail Purchase Order and Installment Contract, Protection Plan and Extended Warranty

Obtained a successful judgment of a de minimis amount in the defense of a Contractor in a wrongful death case arising out of a work site electrocution

On behalf of a concrete construction contractor, successfully defended construction defects claim involving hundreds of thousands of dollars in dispute

Successfully defended death cases involving allegations of over a million dollars involving large national insurance carriers

Successfully defended various lifetime income benefit cases involving hundreds of thousands of dollars at issue on behalf of global insurance carrier

Successful recovery of over $1 million on behalf of Oil and Gas Industry Company in commercial law dispute related to fuel storage and tank cleaning services

Successfully defended paraplegic injury case with multi- million-dollar demand

Successfully defended numerous claims for lifetime income benefits and death benefits under the Texas Workers Compensation Act

Skillfully advised clients on human resources and employment law concerns.

Successfully defended Pressure Pipeline Installation and Services Company in work Injury lawsuit involving allegations of damages of nearly $200,000.

Successfully defended a national restaurant management holding company in Contract dispute and Suit on Sworn Account relating to Change Orders to a Construction Contract involving hundreds of thousands of dollars

Successfully defended workers’ compensation claims stemming from injuries at a global convenience store chain involving substantial dollar amounts

Successfully navigated various business transactions and business organization matters

Successfully defended high exposure personal injury claims brought against a global oil and gas transportation services corporation

Successfully navigated various probate matters

Drafted effective Last Wills and Testaments and Trust Agreements, Living Wills, Durable Powers of Attorney, Directives to Physicians and other Estate Planning documents

Successfully defended claims involving employers which are large international food industry manufacturers

Successfully defended Wage and Overtime litigation involving mid-sized out of state Logistics company (3PL)

Obtained a $0 judgment in favor of a company and its driver in a wrongful death claim arising out of a motor vehicle accident

Successfully defended wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of a large national veterans’ organization with multi-million dollars at stake

Successfully defended a large national rental company in a motor vehicle accident involving crippling injuries.

Skillfully consulted with clients on corporate formation, governance and restructuring issues.

Over the course of several months, on behalf of logistics, trucking and transportation industry clients, obtained dismissal of four out of five unrelated cases of significance with $0 paid. The fifth of those cases settled quickly for only $1,000

Obtained dismissal of various employment law and discrimination cases on behalf of the Employer

Successfully defended numerous work injury cases stemming from allegations involving Total and Permanent incapacity

Obtained a favorable outcome in a wrongful death lawsuit involving a regional package overnight parcel Delivery company

Successfully defended premises liability lawsuit stemming from an assault resulting in permanent disfigurement with multimillion dollar demand against globally recognized real estate investment manager and owner

Successfully defended non-subscriber and employment litigation on behalf of large real property management company

Drafted and negotiated high dollar Operating and Lease Agreements on behalf of various companies

Successfully defended wholesale and distribution storage facility against a claim of hundreds of thousands of damages in property damage to vehicles

Favorably resolved numerous matters stemming from defense of claims with national beverage distributor as employer

Successfully defended dairy farm equipment manufacturer in high exposure dollar claim involving allegations of damage to livestock

Successfully defended plumbing contractor against wrongful death allegations in an electrocution case

Obtained a summary judgment in favor of a multi-national manufacturer in a wrongful death case with alleged damages exceeding $15 million

Successfully defended roofing contractor against a wrongful death claim involving a fall from a roof at a school building construction site

Successfully handled a variety of real estate transactions

Favorably resolved numerous employment law matters on behalf of regional real property management corporation

Skillfully negotiated high dollar franchise agreement for agency franchise holder

Successfully defended work injury claims involving high profile athletes of professional sports team as Employer

Provided valuable legal consulting in a seven-figure construction case alleging property damages in which a fire protection services provider was successfully removed from litigation

Successfully pursued Subrogation Claim involving several hundred thousand dollars and recycling company as employer

Successfully defended the firm's portion of the consolidated lawsuits involving at least 133 motor vehicles which crashed in pile ups in winter storm conditions along Interstate 35 in Texas

Successfully defended commercial roofing company in third party work site death case

Successfully defended of oil and gas production company in Harassment and Discrimination/Employment Law lawsuit

Successfully handled all charge response and EEOC filings relating to defense of various employers