William J. Akins

Partner | Litigation

About

William is a go-to trial lawyer and the Co-Chair of two practice groups: Products Liability Litigation and Counseling and Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

  • As a strategist and accomplished advocate, he has first-chair and second-chair success in trial and arbitration, drawing on his 20 years of litigation and appellate practice in state and federal courts throughout the nation.

    With billions of dollars at stake, he has represented private and public companies on the plaintiff and defense sides, navigating to successful resolution through verdict or settlement, including class action settlements and judgments in complex business disputes in many states.

    Recent results include defeating a multi-million dollar dispute for a public company in confidential arbitration, obtaining summary judgment in favor of a family business in a bet-the-company case, and multiple confidential settlements for millions of dollars.

    He regularly represents an international company in numerous claims and lawsuits. He has represented the world’s third-largest aircraft manufacturer concerning sales of multi-million dollar jet aircraft and international product manufacturers in wrongful death cases seeking hundreds of millions of dollars. An international manufacturer called on William to spearhead its trademark campaign against a network of illicit importers, resulting in agreed injunctions and settlements.

    Outside of work, William enjoys rowing on Lake Austin, spending time with his wife and three kids, hiking, and traveling.


Practices

  • Arbitration and Mediation

  • Banking and Financial Services

  • Environmental, Health, and Safety

  • Insurance

  • Intellectual Property Litigation

  • International Disputes

  • Appellate

  • Civil Pretrial and Trial Services

  • Litigation and Risk Management

  • Political Law and Litigation

  • TCPA Defense

  • Professional and Management Liability

  • Products Liability Litigation and Counseling

Admissions

  • Texas

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit

  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas

  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas

  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas

  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas


Education

  • Dedman School of Law, Southern Methodist University; J.D., 2002

  • University of Texas at Arlington; B.B.A., Finance and Economics, 1999


Honors and Awards

  • Texas Super Lawyers, Texas Rising Star (2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)

  • Texas Super Lawyers for Professional Liability – Defense (2014, 2015)

Law Firm Experience

  • FisherBroyles, LLP

  • Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker, LLP


Clerkship Experience

  • United States District Court, Magistrate Judge Irma C. Ramirez – Law Clerk, 2002 – 2004

Publications

  • New Amendments and Additions to the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (2012)

  • Changes to Regulations Governing Federal Removal and Venue (2012)