William F. Clair

William F. Clair is a trial attorney who focuses his practice on maritime issues, hotels and resorts, restaurants, casinos, premises liability, insurance defense, construction litigation, and wrongful death claims. Mr. Clair has handled more than 50 trials/hearings and arbitration's in state, federal and family courts during his thirty one year career.

 

His experience in Federal Courts include the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, the District of New Jersey, the District of Texas, and the District of Colorado. His experience in State Courts include the Supreme Courts of New York, Kings, Queens, Bronx, Rockland, Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk counties as well as the Circuit Courts for Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Family Court of Suffolk County. His experience in arbitrations include both Florida and New York.

 

Mr. Clair’s experience involves cases dealing with personal injury, wrongful death, Jones Act, hurricanes, infectious diseases, medical malpractice, Labor Law, commercial business disputes, EEOC claims, crew members, passengers, hospitality, sexual assaults, paternity and child support claims.

 

Mr. Clair has had extensive mediation experience as an attorney attending and successfully resolving over 50 lawsuits. Settlements include the resolution of all 33 wrongful death claims involving the tragic sinking of the El Faro and many of the claims involving lost cargo.

 

Mr. Clair, a certified Florida Civil Court mediator, has handled many maritime and personal injury claims.

 

Mr. Clair’s prior experience as a restaurant owner in New York provides him with a unique perspective in commercial disputes and real world experience as both an attorney and mediator. He gained extensive trial experience as a civil county prosecutor in Suffolk County at the County Attorney's office. Mr. Clair also has experience in drafting legislation while he was Assistant Counsel to the Suffolk County Legislature.

 

Mr. Clair’s trial expertise was sought after as an instructor of both attorneys and law students as a faculty member of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy on the art of advocacy during discovery, depositions, jury selection, and trial.