Attorney
J. Craig Williams
Founder & Principal Attorney, WLC | The Williams Law Corporation
Biography
Nearly Four Decades of Litigation
J. Craig Williams, the founding partner of WLC | The Williams Law Corporation'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 their respective insurance coverage and related tort issues.
Mr. Williams also handles white-collar criminal matters for environmental contamination, and has a select personal injury practice. 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 possible AV rating, in both legal ability and ethical standards, and is listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers.
He has been named a SuperLawyer every year since 2007 and rated 10 of 10 by Avvo.com. For 2013, SuperLawyers named Mr. Williams as one of the Top 50 Lawyers in Orange County, California. 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.
Since 2005, Mr. Williams has co-hosted and hosted the award-winning podcast, Lawyer2Lawyer, which examines current legal news, constitutional issues of the day and has featured several series, including a series on federal and state environmental laws. He is one of the founders and a former president of the Orange County California Celtic Bar Association.
Credentials at a Glance
At a Glance
Experience
Nearly 40 years of litigation
Former Roles
District Attorney & Public Defender
Courts
Federal & State, including U.S. Supreme Court, Ninth Circuit, Court of Federal Claims, Tax Court, Court of International Trade
Notable Precedent
Fonovisa v. Cherry Auction, 76 F.3d 259 (9th Cir. 1996) — foundation for Napster copyright liability
Teaching
Adjunct Professor, University of Iowa College of Law; Stanford Law School; Chapman University School of Law; UC Irvine
Location
Irvine, California
Admission
California (active); Massachusetts (active); Iowa and Washington (inactive)
Affiliations & Activities
Bar Admissions & Professional Memberships
Mr. Williams is admitted to practice law in California (active), Iowa (inactive), Massachusetts (active) and Washington (inactive). He is admitted to practice in all California state courts, the United States District Courts — Northern, Central, Eastern and Southern Districts, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth, Ninth and Federal Circuits, the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and The Armed Forces, the United States Court of Federal Claims, the United States Tax Court, and the United States Court of International Trade.
In addition, he is admitted to the United States Supreme Court, sponsored by W. Ward Reynoldson, Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court.
Mr. Williams was a member of Law Technology News editorial board, Internet Bar Association, Bighorn Institute board of directors, Authors Guild, Legal Writing Institute, Defense Research Institute, Association of Southern California Defense Counsel, and Association of Business Trial Lawyers. He is presently a member of the California Bar Association, Iowa Bar Association, Washington Bar Association, Massachusetts Bar Association, and Orange County (California) Bar Association. Mr. Williams has served on the Avvo.com Advisory Board and the Orange County (California) Bar Association Board of Directors.
Awards & Recognition
Recognition
Top Rated Litigator
American Lawyer Media and Martindale Hubbell, 2019–2020
Business Litigator of the Year — USA
Acquisition International, 2019
Award for Distinction in Environmental Law
Acquisition International, 2019
West Coast Top Rated Lawyer
Martindale Hubbell, 2019
Litigation Law Firm of the Year — California
Corporate Insider Business Excellence Awards, 2019
Top Rated Lawyer in White Collar Criminal Law
American Lawyer Media, 2018–current
Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
June 2015–current. Invitation-only; top ½ of 1% of North American lawyers
Top Attorneys of North America
2014 Edition–current
Top 50 Lawyers in Orange County
Orange Coast and Los Angeles magazines, 2013–current
SuperLawyer
Los Angeles Magazine, 2006–current; SuperLawyers Business Edition, 2015–current
Top Lawyers in California — Highest in Ethical Standards and Professional Excellence
The Legal Network, 2014–current
America's Most Honored Professionals
American Registry, June 2014–current
Latino Who's Who
June 2014
Board Certified Civil Pretrial Practice Advocate
National Board of Trial Advocacy (ABA & CA State Bar Approved), 2010–current
10.0 Superb — Top Attorney
Avvo, 2007–current
Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate
National Board of Trial Advocacy (ABA & CA State Bar Approved), 2006–current
AV Preeminent Attorney
Highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards, Martindale-Hubbell, 2004–current
Appellate Court Opinions
Selected Appellate Cases
Vive, TFP, Ltd. and Cantera Creek, TFP, Ltd. v. Lents and Dunlap
Ca. Ct. App., 4th App. Dist., Div. 2, No. E071280 (unpublished), August 30, 2019
Mendez-Carmona v. Saxon Mortgage Services, Inc.
Ca. Ct. App., 4th App. Dist., Div. 3, No. G043420 (unpublished), February 18, 2011
Harper v. NewMark Merrill Cos.
Ca. Ct. App., 4th App. Dist., Div. 2, No. E046683 (unpublished), May 14, 2010
O'Grady v. Sup.Ct. (Apple Computer) (2006) 139 Cal.App.4th 1423
Landmark blogger shield law decision
Saba v. Crater (1998) 62 Cal.App.4th 150
Fonovisa v. Cherry Auction, 76 F.3d 259 (9th Cir. 1996)
Foundation for Napster copyright liability
Bither v. Martin (1992) 1992 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 14358
New Davidson Brick Co. v. County of Riverside (1990) 217 Cal.App.3d 1146
Hajek v. Iowa Parole Board, 414 N.W.2d 122 (Iowa S.Ct. 1987)
Argued while in law school
Speaking & Teaching
Presentations & Lectures
Update on Legal Technology
Orange County Newport Beach and Celtic Bar Associations, Porto, Portugal, October 2018
Protecting your Law Office against Malware, Ransomware, Viruses and other Technical Difficulties
Orange County Celtic Bar Association, Reykjavik, Iceland, October 3, 2017
First Amendment, Free Speech and Communication Controls
Los Alamitos Chamber of Commerce, July 11, 2014
Can Tech Save Small Firms?
LegalTech West Coast 2014, Los Angeles, June 24, 2014
Mediation of E-Discovery Disputes
Judicate West, Santa Ana, February 10, 2014
The IT has hit the Fan: Send Lawyers, Guns and Money
28th Annual ISSA SoCal Security Symposium, Long Beach, October 30, 2013
Interface Between IT and Lawyers
Information Systems Security Association — Orange County, Irvine, May 9, 2013
The Rise of Co-Created StoryWorld Communities
SXSW Conference, Austin, Texas, March 11, 2012
E-Discovery
Orange County Bar Association Last Dash Seminar, Costa Mesa, January 15, 2011
Sports & Entertainment Law
Women's Law Association at UCI, Irvine, October 5, 2010
Legal Insights For The Business Person
Bay Area International Chambers of Commerce, San Francisco, September 9, 2010
Drafts, Depositions and Documents: e-Discovery For Experts
Forensic Expert Witness Association (FEWA), Los Angeles, July 15, 2010
Legal Ramifications of Social Media for Non-Profits
Irvine Health Foundation, Irvine, May 13, 2010
Trial Advocacy
University of Iowa College of Law, Iowa City, January 3–8, 2010
We Didn't Start The Fire
James Madison University Commencement Speech, Harrisonburg, Virginia, December 12, 2009
Greening Your Career
Law.com Legal Tech West, Los Angeles, June 25, 2009
E-Discovery and Forensic Examination on Computers
Southwest Association of Forensic Document Examiners Annual Conference, Los Angeles, April 2009
Social Networks: How to Maximize Business Benefits and Limit Liability
Center for Competitive Management Audio Conference, February 2009
Litigating to Win Through Advanced Trial Advocacy
National Business Institute, Irvine, September 24, 2008
The Latest and Greatest In Technology for the Legal Profession
National Association of Legal Assistants Annual Meeting, Oklahoma City, August 8, 2008
Ethics in Environmental Law
Climate Change Conference, CLE International, San Francisco, August 4–5, 2008
Applying Technology and Law in a Multi-jurisdictional Practice
LegalTech, Los Angeles, June 27, 2008
Technology — Its Impact on the Media, Courts, and Attorneys
Orange County Superior Court, Santa Ana, April 25, 2008
Carbon Credits
Climate Change Law Conference, CLE International, Los Angeles, February 28–29, 2008
Technology and the Law: Update 2008
Orange County Bar Association Last Dash Seminar, January 19, 2008
Adjunct Professor, Trial Advocacy
University of Iowa College of Law, Iowa City, January 2008
The Future of Technology
New York State Bar Association Trusts and Estates Section Annual Meeting, Coronado, San Diego, October 2007
Ethics Issues in Environmental Law
CLE International, California Climate Change Law Seminar, San Francisco, August 2007
2007 Real Estate Law Update
Lambda Alpha International, Newport Beach, January 2007
Fear Factor: Why Lawyers are Afraid of Technology, and How to Get Over It
Annual Meeting of California State Bar Association, Monterey, October 2006
Technology and Internet use in the Courtroom and your Practice
Hispanic Bar Association, San Juan, Puerto Rico, May 2006
Use of Legal Technology In The Courtroom
Orange County Celtic Bar Association Scotland Seminar, April 2006
Legal Technology
Orange County Bar Association, Whittier Law School, January 2006
Legal Tech 2005: From Blawgs to Instant Messaging
Los Angeles, June 2005
Legal Ethics, Elimination of Bias and Substance Abuse
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, May 2005
New Developments in Courtroom Technology
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada, April 2005
Civil Procedure on Motions for Relief
Celtic Bar Association, Madrid, Spain, September 2004
New Developments in Criminal Environmental Law
Hispanic Bar Association, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, May 2004
Legal Research & Writing
Chapman University School of Law, Adjunct Professor, 2002–2003
Environmental Insurance Coverage Fundamentals
Orange County Bar Association, Oranjestad, Aruba, November 2000
E-Discovery
Forensic Expert Witness Association (FEWA), Newport Beach, June 15, 2010
The Practical Side of e-Discovery From In-Court Hearings and Their Consequences
Banyard Inns of Court, Costa Mesa, February 24, 2010
E-Discovery & Technology
OCBA 18th Annual Last Dash & Trade Show, Whittier Law School, Costa Mesa, California, January 16, 2010
Avvo Marketing Seminar Series: Tips From the Experts
Avvo.com Law Firm Marketing Seminars, Los Angeles and Irvine, California, June 18, 2009
E-Discovery and Forensic Examination on Computers
Southwest Association of Forensic Document Examiners Annual Conference, Los Angeles, California, April 2009
Social Networks: How to Maximize Business Benefits and Limit Liability
Center for Competitive Management Audio Conference, February 2009
E-Discovery from A-Z
Orange County Bar Association 17th Annual Last Dash MCLE Seminar, Whittier Law School, Costa Mesa, California, January 17, 2009
Litigating to Win Through Advanced Trial Advocacy
National Business Institute, Irvine, California, September 24, 2008
Footnote, Ebru TV Interview on How to Get Sued
September 2008
Ethics in Environmental Law
Climate Change Conference, CLE International, San Francisco, California, August 4–5, 2008
Applying Technology and Law in a Multi-jurisdictional Practice
LegalTech, Los Angeles, California, June 27, 2008
The Paperless Office
Long Beach Legal Secretary's Association, Long Beach, California, June 12, 2008
KUCI Radio Interview on How to Get Sued
June 2008
How to Get Sued Book Signing at Book Expo America
Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, California, June 1, 2008
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, E-Discovery and Technology Law
Callahan & Blaine Law Firm, South Coast Metro, CA, May 2, 2008
Law.com Legal Channels Interview on How to Get Sued
May 2008
The Perils of E-Discovery
Orange County Bar Association, Orange, CA, May 1, 2008
Technology – Its Impact on the Media, Courts, and Attorneys
Orange County Superior Court, Santa Ana, CA, April 25, 2008
Technology Law, E-Discovery and Technology on Your Desktop and In the Courtroom
Prague, Czech Republic, April 8, 2008
How Technology Has Changed the Law and Journalism
Orange County, California Superior Court Bench & Bar Seminar, March 28, 2008
Sports and Entertainment Law
University of California, Irvine Pre-Law Society, March 5, 2008
Carbon Credits
Climate Change Law Conference, CLE International, Los Angeles, California, February 28–29, 2008
Technology and the Law: Update 2008
Orange County Bar Association Last Dash Seminar, January 19, 2008
Adjunct Professor, Trial Advocacy
University of Iowa College of Law, Iowa City, Iowa, January 2008
The Future of Technology
New York State Bar Association Trusts and Estates Section Annual Meeting, Coronado, San Diego, California, October 2007
The Legal and Business Approach to Law Firm Blogs: Is Your Firm Making the Most of Blogging Opportunities?
American Lawyer Media Webinar, September 2007
Ethics Issues in Environmental Law
CLE International, California Climate Change Law Seminar, San Francisco, California, August 2007
The Paperless Office
Managing Partners Roundtable, Westwood, Los Angeles, California, March 2007
2007 Real Estate Law Update
Lambda Alpha International, Newport Beach, California, January 2007
What's New In Technology For Solos and Small Firms
Solo and Small Firm Section of the State Bar of California, Costa Mesa, California, December 2006
Rainmaking 101: Marketing Yourself and Your Practice
Orange County Bar Association Solo and Small Firm Section, Irvine, California, November 2006
Fear Factor: Why Lawyers are Afraid of Technology, and How to Get Over It
Annual Meeting of California State Bar Association, Monterey, California, October 2006
Who's Watching and Listening? How to Protect Your Office and Clients From Inadvertent Disclosure of Private Information
Orange County Bar Association, Costa Mesa, California, September 2006
Technology & Disaster Recovery
Small Firm Business Forum, West Hollywood, California, June 2006
Technology and Internet Use in the Courtroom and Your Practice
Hispanic Bar Association, San Juan, Puerto Rico, May 2006
Use of Legal Technology In The Courtroom
Orange County Celtic Bar Association Scotland Seminar, April 2006
Rule 1-400 and the Appellate Practitioner: The Ethics of Marketing and Solicitation
Orange County Bar Association Appellate Section, February 2006
Technology and Its Effect On The Practice of Law
Orange County Paralegal Association, January 2006
Legal Technology
Orange County Bar Association, Whittier Law School, January 2006
Legal Ethics and Ethical Overview
Chapman University, Wilkinson College of Letters and Sciences, Guest Lecturer, September 2005 and February 2006
Legal Tech 2005: From Blawgs to Instant Messaging: Proactive Legal Communication Evolves!
Los Angeles, California, June 2005
Legal Writing Skills
Costa Mesa, California, May 2005
Legal Ethics, Elimination of Bias and Substance Abuse
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, May 2005
New Developments in Courtroom Technology
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada, April 2005
The Ethical Construct of Professional, Institutional and Service Sectors, Religion and Values
Guest Lecturer, Chapman University, Fall Semester 2004–2007
Civil Procedure on Motions for Relief
Celtic Bar Association, Madrid, Spain, September 2004
New Developments in Criminal Environmental Law
Hispanic Bar Association, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, May 2004
Legal Research & Writing
Chapman University School of Law, Adjunct Professor, 2002–2003
Emerging Practice Area of Environmental Crimes
Celtic Bar Association, Adare, Ireland, 2002
Commercial Lending
Real Estate Section of OCBA, January 2002
Commercial Real Estate Lending and Lender Liability
Orange County Bankers Association, December 2000
Environmental Insurance Coverage Fundamentals
Orange County Bar Association, Oranjestad, Aruba, November 2000
Publications
Selected Publications
The Sled
J. Craig Williams and Christine B. Williams, Crimson Cloak Publishing, July 2017
Lawyer2Lawyer Podcast on the Legal Talk Network
August 31, 2005 to present (formerly 'Coast to Coast')
Foreword, The Path of the Law by Oliver Wendell Holmes
Kaplan Classics of the Law, New York, 2010
Editor, Rays of Universal Wisdom by Rouzbeh B
January 2010
Dropping A Summons And Complaint Outside A Door Makes Good Service
Pursuit Magazine, January 13, 2009
Insuring Your Company's Future
The Scotsman Guide and scotsmanguide.com, August 2008
How to Get Sued: An Instructional Guide
Kaplan Publishing, New York City, June 3, 2008
The Liabilities of Social Networking Sites
50 Orange County Lawyer 6, 2008
Defense of Environmental Criminal Cases By the Numbers of Science and the Law
Vol. 22, Issue 10, Andrews Litigation Reporter, White-Collar Crime, Thompson West, July 2008
Internet Frontiers: Build Your Own Blog
Law Technology News, December 2004
May It Please The Court weblog
Since August 2003
The Practical Implications of the Aerojet Decision
California Environmental Law and Remediation Reporter, April 1998 (co-author)
Son of the California Environmental Quality Act
33 Orange County Lawyer 36 (1991)
Education
Academic Background
University of Iowa College of Law
J.D., with distinction, 1987
Moot Court Board; Certified Practicing Student Clerk — criminal jury trial, Court of Appeal argument, Iowa Supreme Court brief
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia
B.S., Communications Arts — Radio, TV, Film and Journalism; minor in Biology, 1979
Member, Omicron Delta Kappa
United States Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut
Attended 1975–1976
Ready to work with Craig?
Contact the Firm