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William Watts, legal expertise and dedication.

William W. Watts, III

Member of the Firm

Preeminent Martindale Hubbell

A fifth-generation attorney with 40 years of legal experience, Bill’s practice at Helmsing Leach is focused on civil litigation with an emphasis on appellate advocacy. He has handled numerous appeals in state and federal courts resulting in more than one hundred published decisions. Bill’s practice also includes environmental law and insurance litigation, and he has represented clients in a variety of civil disputes in product liability, construction litigation and more.

In addition to being a seasoned attorney, Bill is actively involved in the Mobile community. He is passionate about the theater and has been performing in, writing, and directing theater productions for over 50 years. Bill’s other community involvement includes prison ministry at Loxley Correctional Center, mentoring at Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Alabama, and serving on boards of local nonprofit organizations. Bill is a member of Covenant Church of Mobile.

Areas of Focus

Bill’s experience in appellate advocacy has afforded him the opportunity to learn about many areas of the law throughout his career. He enjoys presenting cases before appellate judges and winning favorable outcomes for his clients. Bill’s legal practice also encompasses environmental law and insurance litigation. He has represented clients in a variety of civil disputes including intellectual property litigation, products liability, banking litigation, construction litigation, and personal injury litigation.
Bill was named 2019’s Lawyer of the for the State of Alabama in the field of Appellate Law by Best Lawyers, and Lawyer of the Year in Appellate Law for Mobile Alabama in 2012, 2015, and 2022. He is listed in Super Lawyers Alabama and Mid-South Region in the field of appellate law.
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Significant Cases

Speeches & Presentations

Appellate Practice Seminar, Mobile and Baldwin County Bar Associations, “Panel Discussion: Does and Don’ts of Appellate Advocacy” (November 2021)

Appellate Practice Seminar, Mobile Bar Association, co-moderator/presenter “The Anatomy of a Model USSC Brief” (April 2015)

Environmental Law Seminar, Mobile Bar Association, “Hazardous Waste for Dummies” (December 2009)

Alabama Land Use Seminar, National Business Institute, “Environmental Concerns for Developers” (December 2003)

Appellate Practice Seminar, Mobile Bar Association, coordinator/moderator (February 2002)

CLE By the Hour, Mobile Bar Association, “ABC of Underinsured Motorist Insurance” (January 2002)

Appellate Practice Seminar, Mobile Bar Association, Moderator for Panel of Appellate Judges from State and Federal Courts (January 2000)

Environmental Law Seminar, Baldwin County Bar Association, “Common Law Remedies for Contamination of Land” (September 1999)

Appellate Practice Seminar, Mobile Bar Association, “The Appellate Brief” (October 1992)

Recent Developments for the Civil Litigators Seminar, Cumberland Institute for CLE, “Recent Development in Underinsured Motorist Coverage Cases” (December 1991)