William J. Atkins
Attorney
Meet Bill Atkins
From Bill’s interview for the Masters of the Courtroom series on ReelLawyers.com. Read the transcript.
PARTNER AT WARSHAUER WOODWARD ATKINS
Bill Atkins represents clients in medical malpractice, wrongful death and catastrophic personal injury cases. He has developed unique expertise representing children injured or killed in day care facilities, victims of sexual abuse in youth service, religious or academic institutions, and victims of excessive force by law enforcement officers. He is also a certified mediator and arbitrator.
Bill began his career prosecuting felonies and misdemeanors in Douglas County. He transitioned to civil practice in 2000 and has earned a reputation as a tenacious trial lawyer. He has secured multiple six and seven figure verdicts and settlements for his clients in employment discrimination, civil rights, medical malpractice, and other catastrophic personal injury cases.
Juries have returned multi-million-dollar verdicts in all of Bill’s medical malpractice cases. Bill has also secured multi-million-dollar settlements for his clients in commercial trucking cases, sexual abuse of children by a volunteer in a youth services organization, and the family of a little girl who choked to death in a day care center.
Bill is a member of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association’s Executive Committee. He is a GTLA Champion and PAC member. Bill has given seminar presentations on a variety of topics including medical malpractice, non-emergency medical transport, auto and trucking, trial techniques, employment discrimination and police misconduct.
Bill volunteers his time to serve as co-director of the Walton High School Mock Trial Program. Each year, he recruits lawyers to help teach high school students the fundamentals of trial practice. The team has finished in the top 3 in the Region every year, won a District championship, and earned a spot in the State tournament 2 times, including a run to the final four in 2021.
Bill lives in Marietta with his wife, Kathleen, and Puppy, a delightful 15-pound poodle mix. He has four stepchildren scattered around the country and enjoys frequent visits with them. He plays golf, enjoys sailing and wastes far too much emotional energy rooting for various sports teams.
Email: [email protected]
- Law
- Vassar College
- Activities and societies: Varsity Soccer, Drama Department productions
PUBLICATIONS
• Defeating Qualified Immunity: Excessive Force & False Arrest Cases
2007 GTLA Annual Convention
• Representing Citizens Against Law Enforcement in the Eleventh Circuit
ICLE Seminar: Litigation under 42 U.S.C. § 1983• Using Depositions Testimony to Avoid Summary Judgment
GTLA Seminar – Depositions: From Good To Great To Winning
• Ministerial Duty Claims Under Georgia Law
ICLE Seminar: Litigation under 42 U.S.C. § 1983
• Death by a Thousand Cuts: The Expansion of Qualified Immunity Threatens the Continued Viability of Constitutional Torts
GTLA’s Verdict Magazine
NOTABLE PUBLISHED OPINIONS
In Re: J.S.J., 253 Ga. App. 174, 558 S.E.2d 763 (2002)
Finding Juvenile Court acted without jurisdiction to declare child deprived.
Laura Skop v. City of Atlanta, 485 F.3d 1130 (11th Cir. 2007)
Reversing grant of summary judgment in §1983 false arrest case.
Bates v. Harvey, 518 F.3d 1233 (11th Cir. 2008)
Establishing law on entry into home without a warrant to search for minor on “Pick Up Order.”
Randall v. Scott, 610 F.3d 701 (11th Cir. 2010)
Establishing “right to candidacy” as basis for 1st Amendment Retaliation claim.
Jim Tillman v. City of Ocala, Florida. Verdict: $884,000.00
United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida – Ocala Division
42 U.S.C. § 2000(e) (Title VII) & 42 U.S.C. §1981
Race Discrimination & Retaliation (Plaintiff)
Ellen Cauthen v. Richmond County BOE. Verdict: $268,000.00
United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, Augusta Division
42 U.S.C. § 2000(e) (Title VII) & 42 U.S.C. §1981
Race Discrimination & Retaliation (Plaintiff)
Mark Tuggle v. Sheriff Victor Hill. Verdict: $475,000.00
United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division
42 U.S.C. § 1983 – 1st Amendment (Retaliation) (Plaintiff)
Richard Lucas v. City of Braswell et al. Verdict: $1,000,000.00
United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Rome Division
42 U.S.C. § 1983 – 4th Amendment (False Arrest) (Plaintiff)
Valencia Warren v. Fulton Co, GA et al. Verdict: $192,500.00
United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division
42 U.S.C. § 1983 – 4th Amendment (False Arrest)
Estate of Michael Banks v. Neurosurgery, P.C. Verdict: $3,500,000.00
State Court of Clayton County
Personal Injury – Medical Negligence
Estate of Pamela Edwards v. DeKalb MC et al. Verdict: $3,000,000.00
State Court of DeKalb County
Personal Injury – Medical Negligence
In Re: Estate of Vincent Minor. Verdict: $3,450,000
Fairfax Circuit Court, Virginia
Personal Injury – Medical Negligence
Amazing!
We won the case and Bill did an amazing job with his team to provide justice for my name. Bill is professional, kind, and helpful, everything you want in an attorney.” ~ Joe
Great Lawyer!
From the moment we first met Bill Atkins, we felt relief, and that things would soon be resolved. He not only demonstrated a thorough knowledge of the law, but he was passionate, and determined to get us the best possible outcome. Our family is truly grateful to him for his tireless work to get us a positive resolution to our case. Legal matters can be stressful, so hiring an attorney that cares and has the legal expertise you need cannot be emphasized enough.” ~ RK
Responsive, highly competent, and very reliable. Squarely on the side of his client.”
I highly recommend Mr. Atkins to help one in a time of need. I was employed for several years in a mid-management position at a multi-billion company. The company’s workforce consisted of approximately thousands of employees across the US, and internationally. Although the footprint was expansive, workforce diversity was lacking. I was one of only three African American mid-managers in the company (less than 1% of all company managers). The three of us were fortunate in that we reported to a Division President (1 of several company division presidents) who provided everyone with opportunities based upon their ability. In 2014 my boss was promoted to head the company’s new markets group. A new Division President was assigned to lead our team. Almost immediately, the diverse climate changed within our division. The new division president fired two of the three African American managers; refused to consider me for a vacant VP position; and allowed blatant/open racist comments to be made by VP’s and others within the division. Only white males were hired to replace my two former colleagues, while African Americans in non-management positions were also terminated at rates significantly higher than others. By mid-2015, my new boss had gained enough knowledge about my responsibilities for him to move forward with his attempts eliminate my employment. He went on a campaign to mischaracterize my contributions, insult me in public forums, and disparage my personal reputation. It was at this time that I contacted/hired Mr. Atkins requesting his help. This was a very stressful time for me and my family. I had never been subject to such aggressive treatment by an employer. Mr. Atkins took a holistic approach to my situation by providing me and my family with realistic options, and forcefully requesting that my employer cease their egregious actions. Mr. Atkins was never intimidated by this powerful company. Mr. Atkins made senior company leaders (CEO, HR VP, Legal VP…) aware of the actions of my boss, however; these company leaders refused to step in and correct the situation. For several months Mr. Atkins worked tirelessly with the company, and ultimately obtained a generous settlement for me and my family. I have since left the company and moved on to other opportunities. Today my family is in a much better emotional and financial position as a direct consequence of the determined and unwavering efforts of Mr. Atkins. As previously mentioned, I highly recommend Mr. Atkins to help anyone with their legal needs.” ~ Edward