Experience

Representative Matters

  • Represented one of the world’s largest pension funds in litigation involving ownership interests in a real estate portfolio valued in excess of one-half billion dollars.  At trial, the pension fund prevailed against a joint venture partner, convincing the Court that the partner no longer had an interest in the portfolio, and that the pension fund was the sole owner.
  • Defended a major automobile manufacturer in a series of antitrust cases that challenged the manufacturer’s parts distribution practices.
  • Represented a Fortune 100 telecommunications company in litigation concerning the constitutionality of a portion of the Maryland sales and use tax.  Starting in the Maryland Tax Court, the case ended at the Maryland Court of Appeals, where the Court agreed with the client that the assessment of the tax violated the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution, thereby defeating the state’s $10 million tax claim.
  • During most of his career has represented a Fortune 50 technology company in Maryland litigation matters involving employment issues, contract disputes, discrimination claims, and other business disputes.
  • For six years, served a large public pension fund as lead litigation counsel in connection with its commercial real estate portfolio.  Cases included landlord-tenant matters, use covenants, and the like.
  • Represented various clients in employment cases including discrimination (race, sex, national origin), cases under the ADEA and the ADA, WARN Act cases, wrongful discharge cases, and cases involving covenants not to compete.
  • Represented a Russian professional hockey club in enforcing an international arbitration award against a U.S. hockey team and its star player.
  • Represented various clients in disputes involving business torts, corporate governance issues, fiduciary duty, professional negligence, securities law violations, state and local taxation, and a variety of other business issues.

Bill has also been involved in business counseling in a variety of areas, particularly antitrust and employment law.  He has lectured clients and others in matters relating to product distribution, employment discrimination, and wrongful discharge.

Among the reported cases in which he has represented clients are:

  • AT&T Communs. of Md., Inc. v. Comptroller of the Treasury, 405 Md. 83 (2008), reversing 176 Md. App. 22 (2007)
  • Jordan v. Alternative Res. Corp. and IBM Corp., 447 F.3d 324 (4th Cir. 2006); on rehearing, 458 F.3d 332 (4th Cir. 2006); rehearing en banc denied, 467 F.3d 378 (4th Cir. 2006); cert. denied, 127 S. Ct. 2036 (2007)
  • Rouse-Teachers Props. v. Maryland Cas. Co., 358 Md. 575 (1999)
  • Mike Smith Pontiac, Inc. v. Mercedes-Benz, Inc., 356 Md. 542 (1998), affirming 123 Md. App. 498 (1998)
  • L&P Converters v. Alling & Cory Co., 100 Md. App. 563 (1993)
  • Mercedes-Benz of N. Am. v. Garten, 94 Md. App. 547 (1992)
  • Herbig v. IBM Corp., 796 F. Supp. 865 (D. Md. 1992)
  • Metrix Warehouse, Inc. v. Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft, 828 F.2d 1033 (4th Cir. 1987)
  • Alphin Aircraft v. Henson, 1984 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 15205; 1984-2 Trade Cas. (CCH) P66, 161 (July 5, 1984) 
  • Metrix Warehouse, Inc. v. Daimler-Benz Aktiengellschaft, 716 F.2d 245 (4th Cir. 1983)
  • Phillips v. Crown Central Petroleum Corp., 602 F.2d 616 (4th Cir. 1979)
  • Carl, Inc. v. BP Oil Corp., 554 F.2d 623 (4th Cir. 1977)
Attorney Profile
Education
  • University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law (J.D., 1970); Maryland Law Review; National Moot Court Team
  • Duke University (A.B., 1965)
Bar Admissions
  • State of Maryland
Court Admissions
  • U.S. District Court, District of Maryland
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. Tax Court
  • U.S. Supreme Court
Activities
  • Attorney Grievance Commission, Peer Review Panel
  • Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Voluntary Settlement Attorney
  • Bar Association of Baltimore City, Lifetime Member
  • Baltimore Bar Foundation, Trustee and Life Fellow
  • Maryland Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • American Bar Foundation, Life Fellow