Michael Williams is a partner in the Jackson, Mississippi, office, where he has developed a diverse state and federal court litigation practice. Since joining the firm in the summer of 2015, Michael has litigated claims involving products liability, mass torts, commercial contract disputes, real estate transactions, and employment matters. Michael also has significant experience handling Section 1983 civil rights suits, with a particular emphasis on defending correctional healthcare providers. He is prepared to protect his clients’ interests at every stage, having successfully tried cases to verdict, as well as obtained numerous dismissals at the motion to dismiss and summary judgment stage.
Michael also assists clients in the protection and use of their intellectual property rights, and in the litigation of various technology-related disputes involving patent, trademarks, and trade secret rights. Admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Michael has an active patent and trademark prosecution practice, assisting clients in developing, protecting, managing, and exploiting their intellectual property.
Michael is also actively involved with a variety of entrepreneur organizations, acting as an advisor and mentor to early stage startups. This involvement keeps him informed of the issues and challenges that startups face and helps him guide those businesses as they grow and mature. Michael draws from his experience as both a litigator and prosecutor in developing comprehensive and cost-effective IP strategies. His prosecution experience helps him develop litigation strategies in defending intellectual property assets, such as patents, trademarks, and trade secrets, and attacking third-party intellectual property. Similarly, his experience in litigation helps him prosecute intellectual property applications in a way that minimizes potential risks when they are later enforced.