With blue-chip law school credentials and a Fifth Circuit judicial clerkship under my belt, I spent the first half of my career to date practicing at large national law firms representing primarily Fortune 500 clients. Since then, I've practiced alone or in small firms, typically representing smaller companies and sometimes individuals.
I'm proud to have been the "first-chair" or lead lawyer in over three dozen trials on the merits — including over 25 jury trials — in the state and federal courts. Those cases have had amounts in controversy ranging from just $200 to well over $200 million.
Indeed, two of the first-chair lawsuits I've tried to a conclusion were "bet the company" cases for publicly traded corporate clients — meaning if I'd lost, those companies would have closed their doors, laid off all their officers and employees, and liquidated all their assets at fire-sale prices.
I've also been among counsel of record — sitting in something other than a "first-chair" role, but learning my craft from some very good lawyers — in more than a dozen additional trials on the merits (including ten more jury trials).
Additionally, I've been lead counsel or among counsel of record in more than a dozen additional injunction or other contested evidentiary hearings. I've participated in eight contested corporate takeovers. And I've been lead appellate counsel, or had major roles in, more than a dozen appeals.
Practice areas
Board certified in civil trial law by TBLS.org, I have broad and deep experience as a first-chair jury trial lawyer in all kinds of civil cases, including commercial & personal injury cases, plus mediations, arbitrations, and other forms of ADR.
42 years, 600 cases
Languages spoken
English
Law Office of William J. Dyer
1800 St. James Place, Suite 105
Houston, TX, 77056-4109
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
TX | Eligible To Practice In Texas | 1980 | 05/28/2022 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Board Certified - Civil Trial | Texas Board of Legal Specialization | 2010 |
Outstanding Participant | National Institute for Trial Advocacy, National Session | 1985 |
Chancellor (top 16 students) | Chancellors Society, Texas Law School | 1980 |
Member (top 10% of class) | Order of the Coif, Texas Law School | 1980 |
American Jurisprudence Award in Advanced Constitutional Law | West Publishing Co. | 1979 |
American Jurisprudence Award in Business Associations | West Publishing Co. | 1978 |
American Jurisprudence Award in Torts | West Publishing Co. | 1978 |
Special Honors in Plan II | Plan II Interdisciplinary Honors Program | 1977 |
Outstanding Student Award | Cactus (UT-Austin Yearbook) | 1977 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Principal | Law Office of William J. Dyer | 2006 - Present |
Of Counsel | Broemer & Associates | 2005 - 2006 |
Of Counsel | Weisblatt & Associates | 2002 - 2005 |
Principal | Law Office of William J. Dyer | 2001 - 2002 |
Of Counsel | Strong, Pipkin, Bissell & Ledyard | 1999 - 2001 |
Principal | Law Office of William J. Dyer | 1993 - 1999 |
Shareholder | Thompson & Knight | 1992 - 1993 |
Partner | Weil Gotshal & Manges | 1989 - 1991 |
Associate | Weil Gotshal & Manges | 1988 - 1988 |
Associate | Baker Botts | 1981 - 1987 |
Law Clerk | Judge Carolyn D. King, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit | 1980 - 1981 |
Summer Associate | Sullivan & Cromwell | 1980 - 1980 |
Summer Associate | Thompson & Knight | 1979 - 1979 |
Summer Associate | Baker Botts | 1979 - 1979 |
Summer Associate | Graves, Dougherty, Hearon, Moody & Garwood | 1978 - 1978 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists | Member | 2012 - Present |
College of the State Bar of Texas | Member | 2009 - Present |
Bar of the United States Supreme Court | Member | 1991 - Present |
Bar of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas | Member | 1988 - Present |
Bar of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas | Member | 1988 - Present |
Bar of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas | Member | 1988 - Present |
Houston Bar Association | Member | 1981 - Present |
HBA Litigation Section | Member | 1981 - Present |
Bar of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit | Member | 1980 - Present |
State Bar of Texas | Member | 1980 - Present |
Bar of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas | Member | 1980 - Present |
Bar of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | Member | 1980 - Present |
Texas Law Review | Book Review Editor, Member | 1978 - 1980 |
Phi Beta Kappa | Member | 1977 - 1977 |
Phi Kappa Phi | Member | 1977 - 1977 |
Longhorn Band | Trumpet Section Leader, Member | 1975 - 1979 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Texas Law Review | Note, Community Property Rights and the Business Partnership | 1979 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of Texas School of Law | JD with High Honors (top 5%) | 1980 |
University of Texas at Austin | BA with High Honors | 1977 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
South Texas College of Law's Texas Insurance Law Symposium - Houston | Insurance-Generated Ethical Concerns in Civil Litigation | 2009 |
South Texas College of Law's "Just Ethics" CLE Luncheon Series - Houston | Insurance-Generated Ethical Concerns in Civil Litigation | 2009 |
South Texas College of Law's Third Annual Seminar on Advanced Business Litigation - Houston | The Tactical Use – and Misuse – of Motions to Disqualify | 1990 |
South Texas College of Law's Third Annual Seminar on Advanced Business Litigation - Dallas | The Tactical Use – and Misuse – of Motions to Disqualify | 1989 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
ONCA Petroleum Development v. PPI Technology Services | Secured defense verdict after jury trial |
Galperti Inc. v. Galperti S.r.A. & Allied Fitting LP | Won injunction hearing, leading to quick dismissal |
Southeast Keller Corp. v. Francotyp-Postalia | Secured excellent confidential settlement |
FETA v. Millicom Incorporated & Vodafone PLC | Complete defense verdict after six-week jury trial |
Born v. Virginia City Nightclub & Saloon | Secured defense verdict after jury trial |
Posted by anonymous
June 11, 2017
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January 17, 2011
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January 17, 2011
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November 18, 2008
Grant Scheiner, Litigation Attorney on Nov 18, 2008
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Bill Dyer is a ferocious trial lawyer with a razor-sharp intellect. His ability to immerse himself in the micro-details of a case is one of Bill's greatest strengths. I have often told colleagues that if I were putting together a "dream team" of civil litigators, Bill would be my first selection.
Michael Floreani, Litigation Attorney on Nov 18, 2008
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I have worked with Mr. Dyer on many cases. His courtroom, legal analysis, advocacy and writing skills are superior. I place him in the top 5 lawyers I've ever known in any practice area.
Stuart Lautin, Litigation Attorney on Aug 20, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have been watching William's responses on AVVO. They are thoughtful, well-written and analytical. As well, William furnishes information that can be honestly used by the one posting the question, as opposed to the esoteric and erudite replies offered by others. I endorse William Dyer.
Ryan Dove, Unknown Attorney on Feb 22, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I cannot endorse Mr. Dyer enough. His analytic thinking skills and knowledge of the law combine to make him a formidable legal opponent. He is also compassionate which is a great trait to have when it comes to helping clients. He has helped mentor me over the years and is still my go to sounding board when I have particular legal issues/questions.
Robert von Dohlen, Litigation Attorney on Oct 1, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Andrew Weisblatt, Litigation Attorney on Jun 27, 2013
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I have known Bill for over ten years. We have worked on dozens of cases together and I do not know any lawyer who is any smarter or well versed in both litigation and trial strategy. Bill likes to try cases and that comes through, both in his meticulous preparation and his willingness to go to the courthouse. Bill is a team player and works with ferocious intensity. There is no case that I would hesitate to send to Bill. If you're looking for the best, look no further.
Stewart Guss, Lawsuits and disputes Attorney on Dec 4, 2008
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work without reservation. Mr. Dyer is one of the most brilliant legal minds I have ever met. In addition to an astounding knowledge of law and procedure, he is also creative, passionate, and absolutely unrelenting in his advocacy on behalf of his clients. More than this, he conducts his practice with the utmost respect for ethics and fair play. I would hire Mr. Dyer without reservation for myself and I can endorse Mr. Dyer without reservation.
Martin Schexnayder, Lawsuits and disputes Attorney on Dec 2, 2008
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer's work. He is a tough, tenacious and intelligent lawyer.
Adam Schachter, Lawsuits and disputes Attorney on Dec 1, 2008
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Bill is the most amazing litigator I've ever encountered. He is so thorough and capable of identifying so many issues in a litigation matter that having him as a lawyer is almost like having several lawyers in one.
Michael Floreani, Litigation Attorney on Nov 18, 2008
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I have worked with Mr. Dyer on many cases. His courtroom, legal analysis, advocacy and writing skills are superior. I place him in the top 5 lawyers I've ever known in any practice area.
Anthony Weiner, Litigation Attorney on Nov 18, 2008
Relationship: Worked together on matter
There are litigators and then there are trial lawyers. Many lawyers may rightfully call themselves good litigators. But good trial lawyers, people who successfully try cases to a jury verdict on a regular basis (when settlement negotiations do not result in a fair deal for their clients), are few and far between. Bill Dyer is a trial lawyer. And he is a good one. Bill brings to the table a wealth of knowledge, a lifetime of experience, and a past client list that runs the gamut from Fortune 500 companies (in "bet the company" cases) to legendary stuntman Evel Knievel. It has been my privilege to work with him in the past, and I look forward to the opportunity to work with him in the future.
Grant Scheiner, Litigation Attorney on Nov 18, 2008
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Bill Dyer is a ferocious trial lawyer with a razor-sharp intellect. His ability to immerse himself in the micro-details of a case is one of Bill's greatest strengths. I have often told colleagues that if I were putting together a "dream team" of civil litigators, Bill would be my first selection.
Cash, Check