William D. Kloss Jr.
Practice Areas
- eControl
-
Litigation
- Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights Litigation
- Business and Commercial
- Class Actions
- Consumer Lending and Lender Liability
- eCommerce Litigation
- Energy and Utilities Litigation
- Fires/Explosions
- Franchise Litigation
- Insurance and Insurance Coverage
- Personal Injury
- Products Liability
- Securities, Shareholder Disputes and Corporate Governance
- Trust and Estate Litigation
Industries
Education
- University of Cincinnati College of Law, J.D., 1988, Order of the Coif
University of Cincinnati Law Review, 1986-1987 - Miami University, B.S., 1985
Bar & Court Admissions
Bill is a partner in the Vorys Columbus office where he has a broad national litigation practice and leads litigation for Vorys eControl. Bill’s eControl practice focuses on escalated enforcement tactics and litigation designed to remove the most challenging unauthorized sellers that are hurting brands’ online sales. He has a history of handling complex litigation cases involving unauthorized online sales, Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) violators, counterfeit sales, products liability, fiduciary disputes and consumer protection.
Bill has more than 30 years of experience litigating complex commercial cases, products liability, franchise litigation, fiduciary disputes, consumer protection and catastrophic personal injury, both defense and plaintiff. Bill defends numerous drug and medical device manufacturers in litigation involving prescription drugs and medical devices and alleged injuries related to them. Bill also has an active fiduciary practice involving trust and estate disputes. Bill has briefed and argued numerous cases in Ohio Appellate Courts and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Career highlights include:
- Participation in a significant number of jury trials, bench trials and arbitrations around the country and throughout Ohio, including several that exceeded 20 trial days
- Successfully defended a consumer class action arising from alleged predatory lending practices
- Successfully represented a Fortune 500 company in class action and shareholder derivative suits arising from a significant stock price drop.
- Currently serving as Liaison counsel in multidistrict litigation (MDL) relating to hernia mesh
- Successfully represented a Trustee in litigation involving significant family disputes over a large family trust with substantial real and personal assets
- Successfully represented several oil and gas producers on energy disputes, including those involving leases
- Successfully defended a consumer action alleging fraud and violation of various consumer protection statutes arising from the sale of several automobiles. A defense verdict was rendered and significant sanctions were imposed against plaintiffs and their counsel
- Successfully represented a franchisee in a dispute arising from a violation of the Ohio Business Opportunity Act. A summary judgment was entered in favor of the franchisee
- Filed numerous successful motions to dismiss on behalf of various product manufacturers on claims abrogated by the Ohio Product Liability Act
- Successfully represented a shareholder in a business divorce that resulted in a mandate from the Court of Appeals ordering that the business be dissolved
Bill has spoken on general trial practice matters, including effective trial techniques, cross-examination of medical experts and the use of electronic demonstrative evidence in the courtroom.
Bill is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and the Columbus Bar Association.
Bill received his J.D. from the University of Cincinnati, where he was a member of the University of Cincinnati Law Review and the Order of the Coif. He received his B.S. from Miami University.
Professional and Community Activities
- American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
Honors & Awards
- American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow, 2017-present
- Columbus CEO, Top Lawyers in Columbus, 2010-2013, 2015-2016
- Ohio Super Lawyers, General Litigation, 2004-2019
- The Best Lawyers in America, Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants, 2003-2022
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer Review Rated
News
- 11/16/2021A Colorado federal court issued a first-of-its-kind partial summary judgment against an unauthorized gray market seller after Vorys attorneys argued the case on behalf of Otter Products, LLC and TreeFrog Developments, Inc. (collectively “Otter”).
- 8/19/2021One hundred and sixteen lawyers from Vorys were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America® 2022 edition. In addition, 34 Vorys attorneys were named to the 2022 Best Lawyers in America “Ones to Watch” list.
- 8/20/2020One hundred and twelve lawyers from Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America® 2021 edition. In addition, 26 Vorys attorneys were named to the inaugural Best Lawyers in America “Ones to Watch” list.
- 7/31/2020A new Ohio lawsuit, filed by a team of Vorys lawyers, is part of 3M’s global effort to combat fraud and price gouging and help protect the public against those exploiting the demand for critical products during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 8/15/2019One hundred and thirteen lawyers from Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2020.
- 7/8/2019The rapid growth of Amazon and other online marketplaces has created a new ecosystem in which brands struggle to control their product sales. Brands now find their products sold by anonymous online sellers and face new challenges on an unprecedented scale. The eControl360 Summit is a first-of-its-kind event that will bring together thought leaders in each of the disciplines necessary to tackle these challenges and allow brands to retake control of their online sales.
- 4/15/2019Judge enters final judgement in a case argued by Vorys eControl attorneys that deems unlawful the unauthorized sales of products on online marketplaces.
- 12/5/2018Vorys is pleased to announce that 48 attorneys from the firm have been named 2019 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.
- 11/19/2018A California federal court has entered a final judgment, in a case argued by lawyers at Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP, that strengthens brands’ mission to rid online marketplaces of unauthorized sellers and preserve their brand equity.
- 8/15/2018One hundred and thirteen lawyers from Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2019.
- 12/5/2017Vorys is pleased to announce that 56 attorneys from the firm have been named 2018 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.
- 9/21/2017Vorys announced that William D. Kloss, Jr, a partner in the firm’s Columbus office and a member of the litigation group, has been inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL). Kloss joins nine current and retired Vorys partners as a fellow.
- 8/17/2017One hundred and eight lawyers from Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2018.
- 12/2/2016Vorys is pleased to announce that 58 attorneys from the firm have been named 2017 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.
- 8/15/2016One-hundred and eleven lawyers from Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2017.
- 12/2/2015Vorys is pleased to announce that 63 attorneys from the firm have been named 2016 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.
- 8/17/2015One-hundred and eighteen lawyers from Vorys were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2016.
- 12/3/2014Vorys is pleased to announce that 74 attorneys from the firm have been named 2015 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.
- 8/18/2014One-hundred and ten lawyers from Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2015.
- 12/4/2013Eighty-one attorneys from Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP have been named 2014 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars. 57 Vorys attorneys were named 2014 Ohio Super Lawyer and 24 Vorys attorneys were named 2014 Ohio Rising Stars.
- 8/14/2013One hundred and eleven lawyers from Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2014.
- 12/17/2012Seventy-Seven attorneys from Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease have been named 2013 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.
- 8/23/2012One hundred and twenty-six lawyers from Vorys were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2013.
- 12/16/2011
- 9/6/2011
- 3/17/2011
- 8/9/2010
- 12/22/2009
- 8/4/2009
- 12/29/2008
- 10/29/2008
- 9/19/2007
Events
- 11/6/2019The rapid growth of Amazon and other online marketplaces has created a new ecosystem in which brands struggle to control their product sales. Brands now find their products sold by anonymous online sellers and face new challenges on an unprecedented scale. The eControl360 Summit was a first-of-its-kind event that brought together thought leaders in each of the disciplines necessary to tackle these challenges and allow brands to retake control of their online sales.
- 11/16/2017Vorys Partners Bill Kloss and Kim Herlihy spoke at Thinking on Your feet: The Essential Skill of a Trial Lawyer presented on November 16, 2017.