William J. Cornwell

William J. Cornwell leads the civil trial and litigation sections of the Firm. A partner with over 25 years of experience handling complex civil matters, Bill has a long history of success in the courtroom on a wide variety of matters. Bill and the skilled attorneys and staff members working with him have obtained verdicts and settlements in excess of $100,000,000 on behalf of a broad array of clients ranging from individuals to large corporations. Jury verdicts include: $11 million against Volkswagen in a product liability action stemming from the tragic death of a 16-year-old girl, and another in excess of $4.2 million in a construction defect case against a builder/developer. In addition, Bill has successfully defended numerous claims against large and small businesses, institutions, and municipal organizations, including the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office, the City of Delray Beach, and the City of Port St. Lucie. Bill also defends professional negligence claims against the full spectrum of professionals.

Areas Of Practice

Complex Litigation
Class Action Litigation
Construction Litigation
Trial Practice
Torts/Negligence/Products Liability

Bar Admissions

Georgia, 1985
Supreme Court of Georgia, 1985
Georgia Court of Appeals, 1985
U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia, 1985
U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit, 1986
U.S. District Court Middle District of Georgia, 1987
Florida, 1988
U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida, 2000

Education

Georgia State University College of Law, Atlanta, Georgia
- J.D. - 1985
- Honors: Member, Moot Court Society
- Honors: President, Student Bar Association, 1984
Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
- B.B.A. - 1982

Representative Cases

Chinnock v. Penn-Florida Realty Corp., 336 So. 3d 337 (Fla. 4th DCA 2022)
Josepher v. Marbella Condominium Association, Inc., 356 So. 3d 800 (Fla. 4th DCA 2022)
Heritage Manor of Memorial Park, Inc. v. DFG Group, LLC, 302 So. 3d. 314 (Fla. 2020)
Parker v. U.S. Trust Co., N.A., 236 A.3d 423 (D.C. 2020)
The Jockey Club Condominium Apartments Inc. v. The City of North Miami, 2020-027233-CA-01 (Fla. 11th Jud’l Cir. Ct. 2020) (Class Action)
Alfred S. Teo, Sr. and Andrew Teo v. Thomas Huff, Jr., CACE18007708 (Fla. 17th Jud’l Cir. Ct. 2018)
DFG Group, LLC v. Heritage Manor of Memorial Park, Inc., 237 So.3d 419 (Fla. 4th DCA 2018)
Inphynet Contracting Services, Inc. v. R.V. Mathews III, 196 So.2d 449 (Fla. 4th DCA 2016) (Class Action)
City of Fort Pierce, etc. v. Australian Properties, LLC., et al., 179 So.3d 426 (Fla. 4th DCA 2014) (Class Action)
Silver v. Tenet Healthcare Corp., 2013 WL 12075983 (S.D. Fla. 2013) (Class Action)
Triple A Products v. Doctor’s Associates, Inc., 2013-023005-CA-01 (Fla. 11th Jud’l Cir. Ct. 2013) (Confidential Settlement)
Altamonte Springs v. Fowler White Burnett PA, 2012CA008503 (Fla. 15th Jud’l Cir. Ct. 2012) (Confidential Settlement)
Brittany Lane v. Blue Martini Inc., 2012CA017739 (Fla. 15th Jud’l Cir. Ct. 2012)
Meridian At One North Ocean Condominium Association Inc v. One North Ocean LLC, 2012CA001485 (Fla. 15th Jud’l Cir. Ct. 2012)
Sherrod v. Johnson, 667 F.3d 1359 (11th Cir. 2012)
Altamonte Springs v. PNC Bank NA, 2011CA008338 (Fla. 15th Jud’l Cir. Ct. 2011)
Boca Concepts, Inc. v. Metal Shield Corp., 78 So.3d 567 (Fla. 4th DCA 2011)
McKelvey v. Health Care District of Palm Beach County, 2011CA016390 (Fla. 15th Cir. Ct. 2011) (Class Action)
Palm Beach Polo Inc. v. Tropical Land Design Inc., 2011CA011626 (Fla. 15th Jud’l Cir. Ct. 2011)
Thomas v. Toulouse Antique Gallery Inc., 2011CA002630 (Fla. 15th Jud’l Cir. Ct. 2011)
5 Star Builders, Inc., of W.P.B. v. Leone, 916 So. 2d 1010 (Fla. 4th DCA 2006)
Buy Owner, Inc., Etc., Et Al. v. Oswaldo Mateus, Etc., 4D2008-4921 (Fla. 4th DCA 2006) (Class Action)
Mizner Grand Condominium Association, Inc., v. Boca Marina, Ltd., et al., 502003CA008673XXOCAB (Fla. 15th Jud’l Cir. Ct. 2003)
Smith v. Glen Cove Apartments Condominiums Master Association, Inc., 847 So. 2d 1107 (Fla. 4th DCA 2003), approved sub nom., Sosa v. Safeway Premium Fin. Co., 73 So. 3d 91 (Fla. 2011) (Class Action)
Presidential Place Condominium Association Inc. v. Presidential Place Partners Ltd., 50-1998-CA-006877-ONAN-MB (Fla.15th Jud’l Cir. Ct. 2002)
Schiffer v. Mazda Motor Corp., 192 F.R.D. 335 (N.D. Ga. 2000)
Gentry v. Volkswagen of America, Inc., 521 S.E.2d 13 (Ga. Ct. App. 1999)
Henderson v. Scientific Atlanta, Inc., 971 F.2d 1567 (11th Cir. 1992) (Class Action)