Richard M. Williams

Partner

Richard M. Williams, Partner with Gray•Duffy, LLP, has more than 49 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, self-insured organizations and third party administrators, small to mid-size businesses, higher education organizations, major grocery stores, school districts, contractors, property management firms and funeral industry professionals (mortuaries, cemeteries and crematories).

ADR Practice Since 2000 – Download full ADR Bio & Fee Schedule below

With extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution, Mr. Williams has been involved in more than 1,000 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 currently sits on mediation panels of the San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara County Superior Courts. Mr. Williams is on the Neutral Panel for the Santa Clara County Bar Association. His mediation experience has included cases involving intellectual property, clergy abuse, personal injury, business litigation, professional liability, real estate and employment disputes.

Mr. Williams also previously served 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 our court system to local high school students. He has also coached high school football and baseball.

Mr. Williams obtained his B.A. from Stanford University in 1971 and his J.D. from University of Pacific McGeorge School of Law in 1975. He is a Martindale-Hubbell AV-rated attorney.

Professional Affiliations

• Federal Bar Association
• California State Bar Association
  • Litigation Section of the State Bar
• Association of Defense Counsel
• American Arbitration Association

Community Associations

• Santa Clara County Bar Association
• Bar Association of San Francisco
• San Mateo County Bar Association

Recognition and Awards

• AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
• Northern California Super Lawyer

Speaking Engagements

Mr. Williams has carried out numerous speaking engagements for various audiences including insurance companies, national and state cemetery organizations, cremation and funeral associations, private businesses, real estate brokers, insurance brokers and corporate counsel. He has presented a wide range of topics such as risk management, litigation avoidance, commercial litigation, bad faith, professional liability, complying with statutory requirements, and real estate disclosure regulations.

Legal Writings, Articles and Publications

• Article: “Navigating Divisive Mindsets in Mediation: Strategies to Overcome an Impasse”
  Published: The Recorder
  March 2024
• Article: “The Role of the Independent Mediator”
  Published: Daily Journal
  August 2022
• Article: “The New Consumer Privacy Laws: What You Can Do Now To Comply”
• Published: Auto Success
• August 2019
• Article: “Efficient Mediation: The Fastest Route to the Goal Line”
  Published: Daily Journal
  November 2018
• Article: “Successor Liability In Calif.: Where To Point The Finger”
  Published: Law360
  August 2015
• Article: “A Litigator’s View of the Special Employer Doctrine”
  Published: Employee Benefit Plan Review
  July 2013
• Article: “Claiming Victory”
  Published: Risk & Insurance magazine
  July 2013
• Article:“A Moveable Feast: The Key to a Successful Mediation”
  Published: The Recorder
  October 2011
• Article: “Clergy Abuse: Mediating an American Tragedy”
  Published: Daily Journal
  October 2011
• Article: “The Role of the Spouse in Mediation”
  Published: Daily Journal
  September 2011
• Article: “The (Overlooked) Advantages of Pre-Suit Mediation”
  Published: The Recorder
  April 2011
• Article: “How to Avoid Risk & Expensive Litigation”
  August 2005
• Article: “Pets In the City: A Legal Perspective”
  July 2002