$ 350-500 per hour
I do principally litigation -- meaning broadly suing people and defending people who are being sued. In a long career, I have done a wide variety of cases, large and small, complex and simple, representing businesses and individuals. I have large firm experience and expertise, but I often can perform the same job more efficiently and hence at lower cost to the client.
I am available to serve as local counsel in federal and state courts at all levels in Washington, D.C., and Maryland, or in any useful way to assist attorneys from other areas with matters in the courts here.
Increasingly, I am representing individuals in consumer rights cases -- representing them against collection efforts and when possible turning the tables on the collectors when they resort to abusive tactics. I also have successfully represented individuals with civil rights claims especially in the area of police misconduct.
1
Practice Area
50 years | 500 cases
$ 350-500 per hour
15%-33%
10 %
Sometimes
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Chat withState: Maryland
Acquired: 1997
No misconduct found
State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 1975
No misconduct found
3 Bethesda Metro Ctr Ste 700, Bethesda, MD, 20814-6300
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2009
Best Lawyer - Civil Rights, Washingtonian Magazine
2001
Pro Bono Attorney Award, American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland
2001
Commendation, Maryland NAACP
1991
Distinguished Visitor From Practice, Georgetown University Law Center
2004 - Present
Owner, Law Office of William J. Mertens
2000 - 2004
Of Counsel, Asbill Moffitt & Boss
1991 - 1992
Distinguished Visitor From Practice, Georgetown University Law Center
1986 - 2000
Of Counsel, Swidler & Berlin, Chtd.
1984 - 1986
Visiting Professor, Georgetown Univ. Law Center
1982 - 1984
Assistant Professor, University Of Oklahoma Law School
1975 - 1982
Chief of App. and Dep. Chief Trial Sections, Staff Atty., Public Defender Service For The District Of Columbia
Substantial judgment against DC and individual police officers
Obtained landmark consent decree to stop illegal targeting of minority motoriosts
Court upheld NACDL position that police needed to justify exterior search of bus passenger's duffel bag
Successfully reversed adverse trial court decision
Established client's rights to refund of tens of millions of dollars in overcharges
Supreme Court upheld right to challenge Miranda violations in habeas corpus proceedings
1975
JD - Juris Doctor
1970
BA - Bachelor of Arts
1985
1984
English
Legal Answers
Can we collect damages for harassment if an unlicensed contractor attempts to collect money for a job illegally performed?
21 Jul 2013
The police raided my friends house because of her roommate. They took some of her items
20 Jul 2013
Did apartment security guard violate my civil rights ? Is it false imprisonment to block me from leaving and make me sit down
07 May 2013