William Christopher

Mr. Christopher's practice focuses on mediation, arbitration, and the litigation of complex civil cases. His clients range from some of the largest national organizations to individuals.

Mr. Christopher has over 40 years in the practice of law with large to medium size firms in Washington, D.C., Detroit, West Palm Beach, Tampa and Sarasota. His entire practice has involved trials, arbitrations and mediations of complex civil cases. He has arbitrated over a hundred cases as a neutral arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association, and has mediated over a hundred cases as a mediator for the American Arbitration Association and as a Florida Circuit Civil Mediator. Prior to becoming an attorney, he was an officer (Captain) in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (1962-1967).

Certifications and Licenses: Mr. Christopher has been admitted to practice law in Virginia (1970), the District of Columbia (1970), Michigan (1977), Florida (1988) and Texas (1989). Additionally, he has been allowed to conduct trials in New York, Minnesota, California and Colorado. He is a member of the bar of the U.S. Supreme Court and various Federal Circuit Courts of Appeals and District Courts. He is certified in Business Litigation Law and Construction Law by the Florida Bar's Board of Legal Specialization. He is also certified in Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He is certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a Circuit/Civil Mediator. He is a member of the Commercial Panel, Construction Panel, Large and Complex Case Panel, and a Mediator for the American Arbitration Association. He is also a certified Umpire with the Windstorm Insurance Network.

Articles: "Alternative Dispute Resolution Can Reduce Costs," Florida Home Builder Magazine, September/October 1998; "Government Contracts: Disclaimers of Warranty of Suitability Contained in the Government-Furnished Property Clause," 56 Virginia Law Review102.

Trade / Professional Associations: Order of the Coif (Virginia Law School), The Raven Society (University of Virginia), The Barristers (Washington D.C.), American Arbitration Association, The Association for Conflict Resolution, The Florida Academy of Professional Mediators, The Florida Bar, The District of Columbia Bar, State Bar of Texas, Virginia State Bar, Sarasota County Bar Association, Manatee County Bar Association, Phi Delta Phi (Magister, Minor Inn 1969-1970).

Education: United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. (B.S., Engineering, 1962); University of Virginia School of Law (Juris Doctor, 1970).