William E. Berry

Bill is a shareholder in the law firm's Litigation Section and, in 2009, was named a "Rising Star" in Texas Monthly Super Lawyers - Rising Stars Edition. He is licensed to practice before all Texas state courts, the United States Supreme Court, the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and the United States District Courts for the Northern and Western Districts of Texas. Bill has argued two appeals before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the second of which was before the en banc court and resulted in the court reversing its prior decision as well as a District Court's judgment. Bill is a member of the Texas Association of Defense Counsel and the Defense Research Institute. He served as President of the Ector County Bar Association during the 2004-2005 term and President of the Downtown Rotary Club during the 2004-2005 term. In 1998 and 1999, Bill received the Young Lawyers' Pro Bono Award from West Texas Legal Services. In 1999, he was admitted to the Pro Bono College of the State of Texas.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Personal Injury and Insurance Defense

Bill devotes a significant portion of his practice to defending clients who have been sued in cases involving claims for personal injury and wrongful death, including oilfield injuries, on-the-job accidents, automobile accidents and trucking accidents. He represents several insurance companies and their insureds in all aspects of personal injury lawsuits including claims investigation, pretrial discovery, and trial representation. He has received multiple favorable verdicts on personal injury matters.

Oil and Gas Litigation

Bill also spends much of his time representing clients involved in oil and gas related disputes. On behalf of corporate and individual clients, he prosecutes and defends suits involving operating agreements, master service agreements, drilling contracts, well service contracts, indemnity provisions, surface use issues and royalty payment disputes.

Commercial Litigation

Bill has extensive experience litigating commercial disputes. He has an active and successful trial practice and has successfully resolved lawsuits through trial, summary judgment and voluntary settlement for individuals, corporations and governmental entities in cases involving contract disputes, partnership and corporate/shareholder disputes, breach of fiduciary duty, collection matters, products liability, commercial tort/DTPA lawsuits, fraud and misrepresentation.

General Civil Litigation

Bill also has a broad range of litigation experience involving private and public employment disputes, civil rights claims, and defending governmental entities.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

Bill is active in his church, coached youth soccer, is a past president of the Downtown Rotary Club, is a past president of the Ector County Bar Association, and currently serves on The Life Center's Advisory Council. Bill has competed in, and finished, the Big D. Texas Marathon in 2009 and 2010, the Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon in 2010, the White Rock Dallas Marathon in 2010, the Bath Beat Marathon in Bath, England in 2011, the White Rock Half Marathon in 2011 and two Sprint Triathlons.

EDUCATION

In law school, Bill was an advocate on Baylor's National Mock Trial Team, which won the Regional Finals in Dallas and represented the region and Baylor University at the National Mock Trial Team Finals in Washington, D.C. He was also a member of Baylor's Order of Barristers and recipient of Baylor's Pakis, Giotes, Beard & Page Advocacy Award.

In his undergraduate studies, Bill was named the Outstanding Graduate in Mass Communications, served as Editor-In-Chief of the school newspaper and graduated with honors.