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William J. Dyer
About William
Biography
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, or teaching it to, 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
1
Practice Area
Litigation
100%
46 years | 600 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
$ 1-700 per hour
Contingency
1%-99%
Pro bono
10 %
Retainer
Sometimes
Payment Methods
- Check
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Texas for 45 years
State: Texas
Acquired: 1980
No misconduct found
Location
Law Office of William J. Dyer (principal office, incl. for mail & deliveries)
2312 Katy Fort Bend Rd, Katy, TX, 77493
Law Office of William J. Dyer (Houston Galleria-area office, by appointment ONLY)
1800 Saint James Place, Suite 105, Houston, TX, 77056
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William J. Dyer's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
4 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Posted by anonymous | June 11, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
In the trenches with you...
Bill represented me in a lawsuit recently. The people who I was fighting with were well funded and aggressive. He was right beside me the entire time. He guided me and helped me decide when to fight and when to settle. He helped me analyze my risks, my legal and factual strengths and my weaknesse...
Posted by Christine | January 18, 2011 | Landlord & Tenant
If I could give Mr. Dyer 6 stars, I would.
I was involved in an emotionally and financially draining civil lawsuit with my commercial landlord. The lawsuit dragged on for nearly two years. My landlord was himself an attorney and knew how to exploit the legal system to his advantage. Despite that I am a physician and a business owner, I felt I...
Posted by Mark | January 17, 2011 | Insurance
A good lawyer for out-of-the-ordinary lawsuits
Helped me in a really odd case -- one that is so unusual that if I provide details it would be recognizable. He nailed the strategy of the plaintiff's lawyers early on, and also got my homeowner's insurance company to step up to their responsibilities in representing me. He demonstrated both fl...
Posted by anonymous | November 19, 2008 | Litigation
I know what I'm talking about....
Bill Dyer is one of the best lawyers in Texas. When he seizes a project you can expect work that is of the highest quality. I am a lawyer and have employed lawyers both when I owned my own lawfirm and now as general counsel of a multi-national corporation and I have not met anyone who can research,...
William Dyer
Replied last January 19, 2011Full disclosure: This reviewer was indeed the general counsel of a valued business client when he posted, but he's since re-entered private practice. Based on our complimentary skills and mutual regard, he and I collaborate frequently and closely on behalf of several clients.
William J. Dyer's Lawyer Endorsements
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"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."
"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."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. He is a tough, tenacious and intelligent lawyer."
"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."
"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."
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Experience
Honors
2010
Board Certified - Civil Trial, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
1985
Outstanding Participant, National Institute for Trial Advocacy, National Session
1980
Chancellor (top 16 students), Chancellors Society, Texas Law School
1980
Member (top 10% of class), Order of the Coif, Texas Law School
1979
American Jurisprudence Award in Advanced Constitutional Law, West Publishing Co.
1978
American Jurisprudence Award in Business Associations, West Publishing Co.
1978
American Jurisprudence Award in Torts, West Publishing Co.
1977
Special Honors in Plan II, Plan II Interdisciplinary Honors Program
1977
Outstanding Student Award, Cactus (UT-Austin Yearbook)
Work Experience
2006 - Present
Principal, Law Office of William J. Dyer
2005 - 2006
Of Counsel, Broemer & Associates
2002 - 2005
Of Counsel, Weisblatt & Associates
2001 - 2002
Principal, Law Office of William J. Dyer
1999 - 2001
Of Counsel, Strong, Pipkin, Bissell & Ledyard
1993 - 1999
Principal, Law Office of William J. Dyer
1992 - 1993
Shareholder, Thompson & Knight
1989 - 1991
Partner, Weil Gotshal & Manges
1988 - 1988
Associate, Weil Gotshal & Manges
1981 - 1987
Associate, Baker Botts
1980 - 1981
Law Clerk, Judge Carolyn D. King, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
1980 - 1980
Summer Associate, Sullivan & Cromwell
1979 - 1979
Summer Associate, Thompson & Knight
1979 - 1979
Summer Associate, Baker Botts
1978 - 1978
Summer Associate, Graves, Dougherty, Hearon, Moody & Garwood
Associations
2012 - Present
Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate SpecialistsMember
2009 - Present
College of the State Bar of TexasMember
1991 - Present
Bar of the United States Supreme CourtMember
1988 - Present
Bar of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of TexasMember
1988 - Present
Bar of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of TexasMember
1988 - Present
Bar of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of TexasMember
1981 - Present
Houston Bar AssociationMember
1981 - Present
HBA Litigation SectionMember
1980 - Present
Bar of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth CircuitMember
1980 - Present
State Bar of TexasMember
1980 - Present
Bar of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of TexasMember
1980 - Present
Bar of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh CircuitMember
1978 - 1980
Texas Law ReviewBook Review Editor, Member
1977 - 1977
Phi Beta KappaMember
1977 - 1977
Phi Kappa PhiMember
1975 - 1979
Longhorn BandTrumpet Section Leader, Member
Sample of Legal Cases
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
Matsushita Electric Corp. v. McAllen Copy Data, Inc.
Won state-court appeal overturning default
Greyhound Lines, Inc. v. NLRB (In re Eagle Bus Mfg. Co.)
Defeated NLRB & Greyhound's Union on $200M+ claims
Panasonic Co. v. Zinn
Won 5th Circuit appeal on breach of contract case
Fred Rosen et al. v. First Winthrop Corp et al.
Negotiated Prudential's dismissal for $0
Wehling v. Columbia Broadcasting System
Won 5th Circuit appeal in defamation case
Education
1980
University of Texas School of Law
JD with High Honors (top 5%)
1977
University of Texas at Austin
BA with High Honors
Speaking Engagements
2009
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
1990
South Texas College of Law's Third Annual Seminar on Advanced Business Litigation - Houston
The Tactical Use – and Misuse – of Motions to Disqualify
1989
South Texas College of Law's Third Annual Seminar on Advanced Business Litigation - Dallas
The Tactical Use – and Misuse – of Motions to Disqualify
Publications
1979
Texas Law Review
Note, Community Property Rights and the Business Partnership
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
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Q&A
Is it against the law in any way and could you get arrested/charged/etc replying to a YouTube comment saying “go kill yourself”?
05 Jun 2021
Q&A
If a person in custody overturns his conviction by habeas in state courts and then sues in Federal, would he be barred?
27 May 2021
Q&A
Clerical error?
27 May 2021