Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
5.0 /5.0
7 Client Reviews
$ 350-695 per hour
PRO
Richard Martin Williams
also known as Richard M. Williams
About Richard
Biography
Richard M. Williams, Partner with Gray·Duffy, LLP, has more than 50 years of complex litigation experience including class action matters, and has tried more than 40 cases to verdict in both state and federal courts. His practice covers a breadth of litigation matters including product and premises liability, catastrophic and other personal injury, public entity defense, professional negligence, real estate, intellectual property, employment and unfair business practices.
Mr. Williams works closely with clients to analyze the essence of a dispute with the goal of resolving cases in an efficient and cost effective manner. He successfully represents a wide range of clients including insurance companies, business service firms, collection services, higher education organizations, major grocery stores, school districts, contractors, steel manufacturers, crane companies and property management firms.
With extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution, Mr. Williams has been involved in more than 1000 cases as an acting judge pro tem, special master, arbitrator or mediator. He has been trained by and mediated cases for the First, Second and Sixth District Courts of Appeal. Mr. Williams sits on mediation panels of the San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara County Superior Courts. His particular mediation experience includes cases involving intellectual property, clergy abuse, personal injury, business litigation, professional liability, real estate and employment disputes.
Mr. Williams is on the Neutral Panel for the Santa Clara County Bar Association. He was previously on the Board of Governors of the California Trial Lawyers Association (now the Consumer Attorneys of California) and has led trial advocacy seminars for continuing education courses (CEB, ALI and ADC) as well as instructed classes in law and the court system to local high school students. He has also coached high school football and baseball.
Mr. Williams, a Martindale-Hubbell AV-rated attorney, obtained his B.A. from Stanford University in 1971 and his J.D. from University of Pacific McGeorge School of Law, where he was a member of the Roger J. Traynor Honor Society, in 1975.
Bottom line-oriented mediator. 99% success rate. I don't waste time putting together settlements in all types of litigation or disputes.
Practice Areas
8
Practice Areas
Arbitration
14%
Class Action
14%
Defective and Dangerous Products
14%
Intellectual Property
14%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
Awards
Licenses
Licensed in California for 50 years
State: California
Acquired: 1975
No misconduct found
Location
Richard Williams
(650) 365-6225
Fax
(650) 249-7233
Mobile
555 Twin Dolphin Drive, Suite 300, Redwood City, CA, 94065
www.grayduffylaw.comOnline Presence
Other places you can find Richard online.
Richard Martin Williams's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 6 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Martin | March 19, 2015
Top Flight Defense Attorney
Rick is tenacious and practical. Other lawyers and Judges know and respect him, and as a result, his voice is heard, and this serves his clients quite well. He prepared my case very thoroughly, hired the right expert witnesses, and we obtained a terrific result. I recommend him to anyone, individu...
Posted by Michael | March 16, 2015
ESC Success
Mr. Williams provided his services to us for free through the Santa Clara County's early settlement conference program. Ours was a small case, but Mr. Williams spent several hours of his time (including follow up phone calls) and the case resolved. I would use him again.
Posted by Gregory | March 4, 2015
An outstanding mediator
Rick Williams is a truly superior mediator. He's very smart, and is a highly effective communicator with both attorneys and non-attorney parties, alike. Most of all, Rick works very hard to get the job done to the benefit of the parties that are fortunate enough to engage his services. I would not...
Posted by Reuben | September 6, 2014
Review for attorney/mediator Richard Williams
I am a fellow attorney, and have gotten to know Rick well. I have retained Him on a number of occasions to serve as mediator on complex cases. He has proven to be extraordinarily capable in helping parties resolve tricky, complex disputes. He is always extremely courteous, knowledgeable, and profe...
Posted by anderson | September 5, 2014
OUTSTANDING
Rick is the complete package as a trial attorney and mediator. I have known him personally and professionally for twenty plus years, eight as his partner with the defense firm of Ropers, Majeski et al. Rick is an aggressive advocate for his clients yet fair and impartial as a neutral. I have been...
Richard Martin Williams's Lawyer Endorsements
"I have had the pleasure of working with Mr. Williams on several occasions where he served as the mediator in my personal injury cases. I have always found him to be competent, easy to work with, and trustworthy. I look forward to the next opportunity to work with Mr. Richards."
"Rick Williams combines experience as both plaintiff's and defense counsel, common sense, the insight to read between the lines, the ability to provide a 360 degree evaluation and the willingness to "keep at it" until it is done. Definitely not a 9 to 5er. Solid work ethic before and during a mediation. Rick is personable and persuasive. Outstanding reputation with the bench and bar. An excellent choice for a wide range of claims. And he has an refreshing sense of humor. Without reservation a top choice."
Gregory Cattermole
Personal injury lawyer
Reuben Donig
Personal injury lawyer
Experience
Honors
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2017
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2016
Northern California Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2015
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2004
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
1985
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
N/A
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Work Experience
2010 - Present
Partner, Gray Duffy LLP
1900 - Present
Partner, Gray•Duffy, LLP
1983 - 2010
Partner, Ropers, Majeski, Kohn, Bentley, Wagner & Kane
1980 - 1983
Partner, Eagle, Williams & Courtney
1975 - 1979
Attorney, Nelson, Perlov & Williams
Associations
Federal Bar Association
California State Bar Association - Litigation Section of the State Bar
Association of Defense Counsel
American Arbitration Association
Santa Clara County Bar Association
Bar Association of San Francisco
San Mateo County Bar Association
Sample of Legal Cases
Marsh v. Jack Henry and Associates and First National Bank of Central Texas
Settlement after denial of class certification.
Bastion v. Speedy PC Software
Dismissal
Education
1975
McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific
JD - Juris Doctor
1971
Stanford University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2014
Annual Meeting
Avoiding Litigation
2012
Monthly Meeting
Recent Developments in E-Discovery
2011
Volt/Gallagher Bassett Annual Meeting
Borrowed Servant Doctrine
2010
CMAC Annual Conference
Risk Management
2005
CANA Annual Convention
Risk Management and Proper Procedures
2004
CFDA Annual Convention
Risk Management
Publications
2013
Employee Benefit Plan Review
A Litigator's View of the Special Employer Doctrine
2013
Risk & Insurance Magazine
Claiming Victory
2011
Daily Journal
Clergy Abuse: Mediating an American Tragedy
2011
Daily Journal
The Role of the Spouse in Mediation
2011
The Recorder
A Moveable Feast: The Key to a Successful Mediation
2011
The Recorder
The (Overlooked) Advantages of Pre-Suit Mediation
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers