William T. Mitchell
Firm managing partner
Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP
Meridian II, Suite 2000
275 Scientific Drive
Peachtree Corners, GA 30092
ABOUT
Bill Mitchell is a founding partner of Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP. Over the past 30 years, Bill has developed a reputation as a nationally recognized, aggressive, and creative trial lawyer and negotiator who handles complicated and high-dollar matters, from complex catastrophic injury cases to sophisticated EPL and professional E/O matters. Bill has a reputation with clients for “resolving the unresolvable,” and has become national counsel and monitoring counsel for several carriers in high-exposure cases.
Bill is a leader on litigation management, consults with carriers and self-insureds nationwide, and co-authored the groundbreaking books, The Disruptive Lawyer’s Little Black Book of Litigation Management and The Disruptive Lawyer’s Little Black Book of Negotiation. Bill lectures and consults regularly on negotiation strategies and techniques and has developed an industry-leading continuing education seminar series, The Masters of Negotiation.
Bill has been involved in many of the most high profile cases in Georgia including representing football player Ray Lewis in the civil cases arising out of the Buckhead Murders, the captain of courthouse security in the multiple civil cases arising out of the Fulton County Courthouse shooting, and the Kathryn Johnston civil rights wrongful death case.
Education
Wayne State University, J.D.
Michigan State University, B.A.
Areas of practice
Litigation Percentage
90% of Practice Devoted to Litigation; 10% of Practice Devoted to Litigation Management/Consultation
Bar Admissions
Georgia
Numerous U.S. District Courts
U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit
Associations
Governor's Judicial Nominating Commission, 2015
State Bar of Georgia member
American Bar Association member
Defense Research Institute (DRI), member
Claims Litigation Management (CLM), instructor and member
Representative Cases
• Obtained defense jury verdict for national chemical manufacturer in matter where plaintiff was catastrophically injured and sought $15 million for injuries/damages.
• Obtained defense jury verdict for Fortune 500 Company involving significant motor vehicle wreck where plaintiff suffered a catastrophic injury (e.g., broken neck and paralysis).
• Successfully tried to a verdict of $22,000 a clear liability case where plaintiff claimed over $1,000,000 in damages against a Fortune 500 company.
• Trial counsel for national product manufacturer in product defect battery acid spill class action.
• Trial counsel for corporate defendant in 30 food contamination (salmonella) cases.
• Obtained dismissal for national construction product manufacturer in multi-million-dollar construction defect black/toxic mold case.
• Represented public entities in variety of class actions arising out of delivery of medical services in detention facilities and other civil rights matters.
• Lead counsel in over 700 civil rights and employment matters against public entities and private employers.
• Regional counsel for excess insurance company overseeing litigation and negotiations related to high exposure cases in Southeast US.
Retention by Other Lawyers
Bill’s accomplishments have led other lawyers to retain him to represent some of their most important clients. Below are a few examples:
Retained by NFL star Ray Lewis’ counsel to represent him in the “Buckhead Murders” wrongful death civil action.
Retained by Fulton County’s general counsel to represent the captain in charge of courthouse security in the seven civil cases arising out of the Brian Nichols/Fulton County Courthouse shooting incident
Litigation Management
Bill has been at the forefront of the legal industry in establishing metrics for litigation management and combining excellent results with economy and efficiency. He consults with companies and insurance companies in establishing metrics for national counsel and implementing protocols to execute and enforce these metrics.
Appellate Decisions
Davis v. Wallace, 310 Ga.App. 340, 713 S.E.2d 446, 2011 WL 2571855, 11 FCDR 2091, Ga.App., June 30, 2011 (NO. A11A0081)
Teasley v. Freeman, 305 Ga.App. 1, 699 S.E.2d 39, 2010 WL 2559700, 10 FCDR 2231, Ga.App., June 28, 2010 (NO. A10A0359)
Clarke v. Freeman, 302 Ga.App. 831, 692 S.E.2d 80, 2010 WL 892090, 10 FCDR 928, Ga.App., March 15, 2010 (NO. A09A2339, A09A2340)
Neely v. City of Riverdale, 298 Ga.App. 884, 681 S.E.2d 677, 2009 WL 1981409, 09 FCDR 2529, Ga.App., July 10, 2009 (NO. A09A0432)
Underwood v. Select Tire, Inc., 296 Ga.App. 805, 676 S.E.2d 262, 2009 WL 724134, 09 FCDR 1152, Ga.App., March 20, 2009 (NO. A08A2164, A08A2165, A08A2163)
Combs v. Atlanta Auto Auction, Inc., 287 Ga.App. 9, 650 S.E.2d 709, 2007 WL 1933141, 07 FCDR 2209, Ga.App., July 05, 2007 (NO. A07A0514)
Standard v. Hobbs, 263 Ga.App. 873, 589 S.E.2d 634, 2003 WL 22480399, 03 FCDR 3349, Ga.App., November 04, 2003 (NO. A03A1437)
Ward v. Dodson, 256 Ga.App. 660, 569 S.E.2d 554, 2002 WL 1402052, 02 FCDR 2022, Ga.App., July 01, 2002 (NO. A02A0426)
Soley v. Dodson, 256 Ga.App. 770, 569 S.E.2d 870, 2002 WL 1402078, 02 FCDR 2023, Ga.App., July 01, 2002 (NO. A02A0448)
Awards and Professional Recognition
Rated among top 5% of attorneys in the state by Georgia Super Lawyers Magazine, 2007-2023
AV rated (highest professional rating) by Martindale Hubbell
Bill on the Allen Hunt Show
Bill was a frequent legal expert on the nationally-syndicated Allen Hunt Show, speaking on topics including players suing the NFL regarding head injuries and the Trayvon Martin killing in Orlando.