Joel Williams focuses his practice on the defense of physicians, employers, contractors, manufacturers, and other clients in medical malpractice, personal injury, worker’s compensation, and other tort and breach of contract lawsuits. He also represents individuals and corporations in business, real estate and construction litigation as well as False Claims Act, insurance coverage, and fraud suits.
Mr. Williams has tried in excess of 100 jury and bench trials.
His civil practice includes representing clients in appeals to the Supreme Court of Alabama and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Williams is admitted to all Alabama trial and appellate courts, state and federal, the Supreme Court of Virginia, and the Supreme Court of the United States.
Prior to joining Friedman, Dazzio & Zulanas in January 2011, Mr. Williams practiced for 28 years with Sadler Sullivan, in Birmingham. He also served as a U. S. Army Judge Advocate from 1978 to 1982. Mr. Williams received his J.D. cum laude from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in 1978, where he served on the Law Review. He is a cum laude graduate of Washington and Lee University, B.A., 1975.
Mr. Williams holds an AV rating by Martindale Hubbell which is the highest rating for an attorney bestowed by that organization.
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Professional Affiliations
- Alabama State Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Birmingham Bar Association
- American Board of Trial Advocates
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Notable Cases and
Representative Clients- In the past 5 years, Williams has tried five lengthy wrongful death or paraplegia cases for defendant physicians and two retaliatory discharge cases for employers.
- Summary judgments have been obtained on behalf of multiple defense clients thereby avoiding the risk of trial.
- Effective trial preparation has enabled workers’ compensation clients to achieve reasonable, successful settlements and avoid the expense of trial.
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Personal Information
Williams is married and has two sons at the University of Alabama. He enjoys golf and is active at the Episcopal Cathedral of the Advent.
