William G. Porter
Mr. Porter is a partner and chair of the firm’s litigation practice group. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and listed in Chambers and Partners, Ohio Super Lawyers and the Best Lawyers in America. He practices general civil litigation with an emphasis on representing corporations and their officers and directors in complex civil litigation, including class actions. Representative clients include pharmaceutical suppliers and distributors, manufacturers, financial institutions, universities and professional design firms.
Career highlights include:
- Representing corporate officers and directors in alleged breach of fiduciary duty lawsuits
- Serving as national trial counsel with respect to manufacturers' liability claims
- Representing businesses and individuals in various actions, including class actions, in federal and state courts
- Serving as lead counsel in a construction arbitration resulting in a favorable multi-million dollar award
Mr. Porter is a frequent lecturer on attorney-client privilege issues, internal investigations and on trial advocacy issues, including presentations to the Ohio State Bar Association on “How to Handle the Obstreperous Lawyer in Depositions” and “Real Evidence for Trial Attorneys.”
Mr. Porter is a member of the American Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association, and the Columbus Bar Association.
Mr. Porter received his J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. He received his B.A. cum laude from Amherst College.
Professional and Community Activities
- Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Board of Trustees, 2011- present
- Bexley Education Foundation, Chair, Board of Trustees, 2007-2012
- Central Ohio Transit Authority, Chair, Board of Trustees, 2002-2009
Honors & Awards
- Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers since 2011
- Chambers and Partners, Leading Lawyer in Litigation: General Commercial, 2012
- Columbus CEO, Top Lawyers in Columbus, 2010-2013
- Ohio Super Lawyers, Top 50 Super Lawyers in Columbus, 2010
- Ohio Super Lawyers, General Litigation, 2008-2013
- The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2006-2013
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer Review Rated
News
- Thirty-nine Vorys Attorneys included in 2013 Chambers USA Guide
- Vorys Attorneys Recognized as 2013 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- 126 Vorys Attorneys included in the 2013 The Best Lawyers in America® List
- Thirty-five Vorys Attorneys Listed in 2012 Edition of Chambers USA
- Porter Admitted to the American College of Trial Lawyers
- 75 Vorys Attorneys Recognized as 2012 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- More than 100 Vorys Attorneys named on 2012 The Best Lawyers in America® List
- Porter Named to Columbus Chamber Board of Directors
- 72 Vorys Attorneys Recognized as 2011 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- Vorys Ranked #1 Law Firm in Ohio on 2011 Best Lawyers in America® list
- Porter Honored by Central Ohio Transit Authority
- 54 Vorys Attorneys Recognized as 2010 Ohio Super Lawyers
- Vorys ranked #1 law firm in Ohio on 2010 Best Lawyers in America® list
- 70 Vorys Attorneys Recognized as 2009 Ohio Super Lawyers
- Vorys Attorneys Named on 2009 Best Lawyers in America List
- Vorys named the "2008 Leading Ohio Law Firm" by Best Lawyers
Events
- Trial Evidence for the Ohio Practitioner
- Privilege. Privacy. Preservation. Managing Risks with Electronic Communications Seminar
- Taking and Defending Effective Depositions Seminar
- Trial Evidence for the Ohio Practitioner
Publications
“Corporate Communications: Problems, Pitfalls and Practical Points,” 2010 (Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP publication)