William Wingate Downs

After working for several years in larger firms, Will started Atlanta-based Downs Law in March of 2013 with a desire to offer clients quality legal services delivered in a more personal and thoughtful manner.
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Will established immediate success with Downs Law, prevailing in several jury trials within the first few years of opening the firm. Throughout his career, Will has participated in hundreds of trials, as well as achieved successful resolution, thorough settlement or summary judgement, of numerous other cases. He primarily practices in the area of commercial real estate, with an emphasis on landlord/tenant and collections. Will also has extensive litigation experience in the areas of property damage, real estate, construction, and homeowner’s association law. Additionally, his experience includes negotiating and facilitating business deals, such as leases, personal guaranties, deeds, operating agreements, security agreements and other transaction documents.
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Will’s results have prompted numerous speaking opportunities, including at the State Bar of Georgia’s Solo and Small Firm Institute along with the National Business Institute, where he has spoken on various topics including The Ultimate Guide to Commercial Real Estate Law, Combating ‘Rambo’ Litigators, and Collection Law: Start to Finish. Additionally, Will provides pertinent legal updates on the Downs Law blog.

​Beyond his dedication to the firm’s clients, Will is also committed to volunteering his time through pro bono legal work. He currently serves on the State Bar of Georgia’s Access to Justice committee where he works to increase the public’s access to legal services. In 2008, he participated in the successful habeas trial of an inmate on Georgia’s death row. The trial was the client’s last hope of avoiding the death penalty for a crime he was mentally incapable of committing. Will also represented several Georgia non-profit environmental organizations in filing amicus briefs to stop the permitting of a coal-fired power plant in southwest Georgia, emphasizing the significant impact of the plant’s carbon dioxide emissions. Will also presently serves on the ACLU of Georgia’s legal committee and is involved with several professional organizations, including the Lawyer’s Club of Atlanta, the Atlanta Bar Association, and the DeKalb County Bar Association.

Originally from West Point, Georgia, Will, completed a journalism degree from The University of Georgia and worked for several years at CNN/Sports Illustrated in Atlanta. He decided to switch gears a few years later and attend law school, obtaining his J.D. from Vanderbilt University. He is happily married to his wife, Jennifer, with whom he has two beautiful and very energetic children, Dexter and Betty.