Richard Willis is an accomplished product liability trial lawyer with over 31 years of experience practicing in the areas of environmental law, toxic torts, commercial litigation and personal injury defense. He has been to verdict and argued for summary judgment for numerous clients including those in the communications industry, automotive and tire manufacturers, retail distributors, pulp and paper companies, specialty chemical companies and consumer product manufacturers. He has acted as lead counsel in 11 jury trials in South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee, and has handled appeals in the 3rd, 4th, and 11th Circuits and all State appellate courts in which he is admitted to practice.
Having represented a wide array of clients, Richard's case experience includes disputes over the performance of large industrial equipment, suits on accounts, Lanham Act and Unfair Trade Practitioner claims, construction defects and insurance coverage disputes.
Richard is experienced in acting as regional counsel for many of his manufacturing clients as well as lead counsel for his environmental clients, directing the supervision and management of their cases. He also has extensive experience managing case budgets through final disposition.
Outside of the courtroom, Richard holds an adjunct professor position at the University of South Carolina, teaching trial advocacy. He is a regular writer and speaker on trial advocacy and product liability issues.