William M. Taylor

Will is a litigator and member of the firm’s Corporate Espionage Response Team. In addition to handling a wide range of complex business litigation, he deals with the pressing issues that arise from trade secret misappropriation and non-compete disputes. Will’s recent practice experience has involved clients in the fields of health care, investing, medical devices, construction, technology, manufacturing, mortgage lending and servicing, food and beverage, franchising, distribution, and consumer services.

The three most common types of claims in Will’s litigations are: (1) breach of contract, (2) business torts, such as fraud, fiduciary duty violations, negligence, and misrepresentation; and (3) trade secret misappropriation. Additionally, Will has handled a number of matters involving the rights of shareholders in private companies.

While located in Boston, Will has appeared in many state and federal jurisdictions. Within Massachusetts, the litigation that Will handles in state and federal court often involves claims for violation of the Massachusetts statute, known as Chapter 93A, that protects consumers and prohibits unfair business practices.

Will’s appellate experience includes successful representation of appellees before the U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals for the First Circuit and Eleventh Circuit, respectively.

A substantial portion of Will’s practice involves international parties with disputes before international and domestic arbitration institutions, and in state and federal court.

Representative engagements include significant commercial disputes before arbitral institutions in India, Singapore, England, New York, and Boston. The parties include companies and individuals from Brazil, Dubai, England, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Isle of Man, Spain, and Turkey. Will is involved with the Boston International Arbitration Council and has served as a moderator and speaker on several panels regarding domestic and international arbitration issues.

His pro bono experience has focused on projects for the PAIR Project, Homeless Advocacy Project, the Landlord/Tenant Program, and the Pennsylvania Innocence Project.

• Defeated all of opponent’s claims and prevailed on most counterclaims in an arbitration involving a company’s claim that its distributor had misappropriated its trade secrets and breached a licensing/distribution contract.
• Obtained summary judgment and prevailed at appellate stage before the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in matter for leading investment company accused of breach of contract and violation of fiduciary duties.
• Settled a significant premises liability matter in Massachusetts state court on behalf of an international manufacturer.
• Assisted with securing a significant quantum award for client in an international arbitration taking place in India and London.
• Defended owners and shareholders against fiduciary duty and contract claims in Massachusetts state court.

• Boston Magazine, Top Lawyers List, Commercial Litigation (2023)