William Blakely
William D. Blakely is the Founder of William Blakely Law. The concept in the creation of the firm is that clients need efficient, cost-effective assistance in navigating through the legal process. Mr. Blakely has had experience in the representation of government agencies as a trial lawyer with the Department of Justice, major corporations, and individuals. He is uniquely qualified to assist clients in developing a legal strategy and to engage other counsel, where necessary, to provide a unique, cost-effective representation.
Bill has handled major litigation, first on behalf of government agencies including the FAA, NOAA and military departments, and later represented a major aerospace manufacturer. He also has served as trial counsel on behalf of plaintiffs who have suffered personal injury or loss of family members in aviation accidents. In sum, he has served as lead trial counsel on all three sides of aviation litigation, which has brought a unique perspective to his practice.
Mr. Blakely has practiced in Washington, D.C. for more than 35 years, and counseled both defendants and plaintiffs in state and federal court, as well as arbitration tribunals. He represented a major railroad in matters involving the construction of facilities and track work, and several municipalities where the construction costs of wastewater issue. He has recovered multi-million judgments and has prevailed in “bet-the-company” litigation where the alleged damages exceeded $500 million. He has also represented owners of aircraft and operators who have experienced unique issues with the purchase, delivery or return of equipment.
Bill has handled major litigation, first on behalf of government agencies including the FAA, NOAA and military departments, and later represented a major aerospace manufacturer. He also has served as trial counsel on behalf of plaintiffs who have suffered personal injury or loss of family members in aviation accidents. In sum, he has served as lead trial counsel on all three sides of aviation litigation, which has brought a unique perspective to his practice.
Mr. Blakely has practiced in Washington, D.C. for more than 35 years, and counseled both defendants and plaintiffs in state and federal court, as well as arbitration tribunals. He represented a major railroad in matters involving the construction of facilities and track work, and several municipalities where the construction costs of wastewater issue. He has recovered multi-million judgments and has prevailed in “bet-the-company” litigation where the alleged damages exceeded $500 million. He has also represented owners of aircraft and operators who have experienced unique issues with the purchase, delivery or return of equipment.
Currently, Mr. Blakely serves as the outside General Counsel of the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA); a not-for-profit organized to provide educational and charitable services to the continent. His work with the CCA follows more than eighteen years serving as private, outside General Counsel to a large religious organization, also an entity organized as a not-for-profit.
Distinctions
- Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
- DC Super Lawyer, Civil Litigation Defense, 2013, 2014 and 2015
- AV Rated Martindale Hubbell
- Recipient, Spurgeon Award by Boy Scouts of America, for support in starting the first Law Explorer Post, Washington, D.C.
- Pro Bono Partner of the Year, DLA Piper, Reston, VA 2004
- Honors Program Lawyer U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Division, Torts Branch, Aviation Unit
SIGNIFICANT REPRESENTATIONS
- Lead trial counsel representing a hospital, where he obtained a dismissal of a $60 million suit for defamation and fraud.
- Lead trial counsel representing a health care provider against the provider’s Insurance Company where the issues involved Class Actions, Multi-District Litigation, and injunctions.
- Lead trial counsel where the Jury awarded treble damages and attorney fees in excess of $1.2 million to his client for violation of the DC Consumer Protection Statute.
Education
- J.D. University of Detroit/Mercy, University of Detroit Law Review, Editor-in-Chief
- B.A. University of Wisconsin, Madison
Bar ADMISSIONs
- District of Columbia Bar
- Virginia State Bar
- Michigan State Bar (inactive)
- US District Court, District of Columbia, E.D of Virginia
- US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Leadership Positions:
- Former Head of Northern Virginia Litigation Practice Group Piper Rudnick (now DLA Piper), 2004-2005
- Co-Chair, DLA Piper’s Aviation Litigation Practice Area Working Group, 2005
- Managing Shareholder, Polsinelli PC’s Washington D.C. Office 2005-2009
- Outside General Counsel, Corporate Council on Africa, Washington, D.C. 2016-present.
Awards & Recognition:
- Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, Trial Lawyer Honorary Society
- 2004 Pro Bono Partner of the Year, DLA Piper
- Selected as a Super Lawyer, Washington D.C. 2014 and 2015
- Member, Million Dollar Club, for Recovery in Major Litigation
- 2004 Spurgeon Award, National Council Boy Scouts of America, Explorer Division for support and initiation of the first Law Explorer Post, Washington, D.C.
- Honors Program Lawyer, United States Department of Justice, Civil Division
- Selected as Editor-In-Chief of the Law Review, University of Detroit School of Law
- Clarence Burton Scholarship recipient, University of Detroit School of Law
- U.S. Marine Corps Aviator, and Judge Advocate, now Retired as a Lieutenant Colonel, USMCR.
- U. of Wisconsin, Madison Crew Team, and holder of the Queens Cup, Henley, England