J. Craig Williams, the founding partner of the firm’s Orange County, California office, focuses his practice in the areas of complex business litigation with emphasis on environmental, intellectual property, real estate, technology law and labor matters, and their respective insurance coverage and related tort issues. Mr. Williams also handles white-collar criminal matters in both securities and environmental areas and practices in admiralty and tax courts. He is a Top-rated Criminal Defense Lawyer - White Collar Crime, as chosen by American Lawyer Media and Martindale-Hubbell. He holds Martindale-Hubbell's highest peer-review AV rating, and is listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, has been named a SuperLawyer every year since 2007 and rated with a 10 of 10 by Avvo.com. Mr. Williams is both a Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate and Board Certified Civil Pretrial Practice Advocate, certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, an American Bar Association and California State Bar approved agency
Mr. Williams’ experience includes practice at nationally recognized law firms and has appeared as lead litigation counsel in numerous states and federal districts.
You can learn more about Mr. Williams at www.jcraigwilliams.com, and about his book, How to Get Sued, at www.howtogetsued.com, which also features video and radio interviews, along with additional photos. He also writes an award-winning blog, May It Please The Court, which you can read at www.mayitpleasethcourt.com.
Practice areas
The Firm focuses its practice in defending businesses in general business civil litigation, and its founding attorney, J. Craig Williams, has done so for his entire career. In addition, we handle intellectual property such as patent, Internet / cyberspace law, trademark and copyright.
34 years
The Firm has developed practical, innovative and state-of-the-art strategies for its diverse client base, and consequently has gained a wide spectrum of experience in providing business advice. The Firm represents sole proprietors, closely-held businesses, general partnerships, and limited partnerships. In addition, we represent limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, public and private corporations including their boards of directors and committees.
34 years
The Firm has a select personal injury practice for its clients’ executives and their families, as well as those with significant injuries and damages due to the negligence or wrongdoing of another individual, business, government agency or entity.
34 years
We have a significant real estate and natural resources practice, which includes administrative law, such as obtaining land entitlements from city and county agencies, negotiating land-use issues such as endangered species matters with various state Fish & Wildlife departments and the United States Fish & Wildlife Service, delineating wetlands with the United States Army Corps of Engineers, negotiating streambed alteration agreements and litigating homeowner CEQA and NEPA issues.
34 years
The Firm has a strong civil and white collar crime environmental practice. Our environmental practice areas include air, soil, water, storm water and groundwater contamination, Proposition 65, “private attorney general” actions and toxic tort matters. We handle state and federal litigation oversight contamination and obtaining variances and permits. The Firm also assists its clients in evaluating voluntary clean-up alternatives, establishing internal compliance procedures, and preparing for g
34 years
Languages spoken
English
WLC | The Williams Law Corporation
One Park Plaza
Suite 600
Irvine, CA, 92614-5987
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
WA | Inactive | 2005 | 06/28/2022 |
MA | Inactive | 2004 | 05/30/2022 |
CA | Active | 1988 | 06/18/2022 |
IA | Inactive | 1987 | 06/13/2022 |
Legal answers | 46 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
America's Most Honored Professionals | American Registry | 2016 |
Top Attorney | Top Attorneys of North America | 2016 |
Top 50 Lawyers in Orange County | Orange Coast Magazine | 2015 |
Litigation Law Firm of the Year - CA | Corporate Livewire | 2015 |
Fellow | Litigation Counsel of America | 2015 |
Best Law Firm for Environmental Litigation - California | Corporate America Legal Elite | 2015 |
Super Lawyer | Los Angeles Magazine | 2015 |
Attorneys of Distinction | Orange Coast Magazine | 2014 |
Best Complex Litigation Firm in California | Acquisition International finance magazine | 2014 |
Top Lawyers in California for Highest Ethical Standards | The Legal Network | 2014 |
Super Lawyer | Los Angeles Magazine | 2014 |
Super Lawyer | Los Angeles Magazine | 2013 |
Super Lawyer | Los Angeles Magazine | 2012 |
Board Certified Civil Pretrial Practice Advocate | National Board of Trial Advocacy | 2012 |
Top-rated Criminal Defense - White Collar | American Lawyer Media and Martindale-Hubbell | 2012 |
Super Lawyer | Los Angeles Magazine | 2011 |
Super Lawyer | Los Angeles Magazine | 2010 |
Super Lawyer | Los Angeles Magazine | 2009 |
Top Lawyers | OC Metro Magazine | 2009 |
Super Lawyer | Los Angeles Magazine | 2008 |
Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate | National Board of Trial Advocacy | 2008 |
Super Lawyer | Los Angeles Magazine | 2007 |
Journalism Award for Best Individual Weblog | Los Angeles Press Club | 2005 |
Pro bono publico Service Commendation | Washington State Bar Association | 2005 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 1992 |
Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers | Martindale-Hubbell | 1992 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Founding partner | WLC | The Williams Law Corporation | 2012 - Present |
Partner | Sedgwick LLP | 2009 - 2012 |
Founding Partner | WLF | The Williams Lindberg Law Firm, PC | 2003 - 2009 |
Partner | Daehnke & Cruz | 1997 - 2003 |
Partner | Callahan, Blaine & Williams | 1994 - 1997 |
Staff Associate | Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher | 1992 - 1994 |
Associate | Allen, Matkins, Leck, Gamble & Mallory | 1989 - 1992 |
Associate | Reid & Hellyer | 1987 - 1989 |
Volunteer | San Bernadino County Deputy District Attorney | 1987 - 1989 |
Certified Practicing Law Clerk | Linn County Public Defender's Office | 1985 - 1987 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Washington State Bar Association | Member | 2005 - Present |
Massachusetts Bar Association | Member | 2004 - Present |
Celtic Bar Association of Orange County | Director | 2000 - Present |
Lambda Alpha International, Orange County Chapter | President | 1994 - Present |
State Bar of California | Member | 1988 - Present |
Bighorn Institute | Advisor, former President and Director | 1988 - Present |
Iowa State Bar Association | Member | 1986 - Present |
Orange County Bar Association | Director | 2006 - 2009 |
Lambda Alpha International | Secretary | 2004 - 2006 |
Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County | Board of Trustees | 1995 - 2008 |
American Bar Association, Decisions Committee | Member | 1991 - 1995 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Law Technology News | Internet Frontiers: Build Your Own Blog | 2004 |
California Environmental Law Reporter | The Practical Implications of the Aerojet Decision | 1998 |
Unknown | Son of the California Environmental Quality Act: A Look at Public Resources Code 21081.6, 33 | 1991 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of Iowa College of Law | JD - Juris Doctor, with distinction | 1987 |
James Madison University | BS - Bachelor of Science | 1979 |
United States Coast Guard Academy | 1976 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
James Madison University Commencement | "We Didn't Start The Fire" | 2009 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Mendez-Carmona v. Saxon Mortgage (Ca.Ct.App., 4th App.Dist., Div. 3, filed February 18, 2011), No. (Unpublished opinion). | Settled |
Harper v. NewMark Merrill Cos. (Ca.Ct.App., 4th App.Dist., Div. 2, May 14, 2010), No. E046683 (Unpublished opinion). | Settled |
O'Grady v. Sup.Ct. (Apple Computer) | |
Saba v. Crater | |
Fonovisa v. Cherry Auction | Judgment for Fonovisa upheld. |
Posted by Joe Bonilla
November 8, 2013
Posted by Peter
May 29, 2008
Darlynn Morgan, Lawsuits and disputes Attorney on Sep 9, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work.
Jennifer Keller, Environmental and natural resources Attorney on Nov 18, 2008
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I worked on a criminal environmental case with Craig. His common sense, written work, courtroom skill and devotion to his client were exceptional. If I were charged in a similar case, he's the lawyer I'd hire.
Cash, Check, Credit Card