Atty. James F. Williams

Atty. James F. Williams

James Williams is a partner in the firm's Litigation practice. He has been trying cases and managing litigation for over 25 years as a government attorney and a private practitioner.

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Profile Summary

About James F. Williams at a glance

James F. Williams is a business, bankruptcy, and litigation attorney based in Seattle, Washington, practicing at Perkins Coie LLP. Admitted to practice in Washington, Washington State Bar Association. Educated at University of Virginia (J.D., 1994). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Bet-the-Company Litigation (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Bankruptcy (2026). Serands clients in Seattle, WA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • James Williams is a partner in the firm's Litigation practice
  • He has been trying cases and managing litigation for over 25 years as a government attorney and a private practitioner
  • James graduated in 1985 from The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, with honors, and earned his law degree in 1988 from the University of Virginia School of Law
  • After law school, he served in the Judge Advocate General's Corps of the U.S
  • Air Force before moving to Seattle and joining Perkins Coie in 1993
  • His practice involves complex business litigation and civil trials (see a sample opening statement), with a focus on contract disputes, mass torts defense, corporate plaintiff asset recovery, consultant liability, consumer protection and unfair business practices, trade secrets, bankruptcy court adversary actions, and federal and state agency litigation
  • James has served on the firmwide Executive Committee and Associate Evaluation Committee, and has chaired the firmwide Litigation Training Program, Community Service Committee, Women and Minority Lawyers Committee, as well as the Seattle Office United Way Campaign

Practice Areas Explained

James F. Williams's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases James F. Williams handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Business & Corporate Law

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

James F. Williams is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Washington →

Bankruptcy & Debt

A bankruptcy attorney can help you eliminate debt, stop creditor harassment, and protect your home through Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.

James F. Williams is one of 105,321 bankruptcy attorneys indexed nationally. Browse bankruptcy attorneys in Washington →

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

James F. Williams is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Washington →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Washington

Practicing law in Washington. Legal matters in Washington are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Seattle are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Washington state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Washington brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Washington courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Washington attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Seattle or all attorneys in Washington.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about James F. Williams

Where is James F. Williams's law office located?
James F. Williams's law practice is located in Seattle, Washington. The firm is Perkins Coie LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does James F. Williams handle?
James F. Williams focuses on business, bankruptcy, litigation. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Washington.
Where did James F. Williams go to law school?
James F. Williams earned their education at (J.D., 1994).
How can I contact James F. Williams for a consultation?
You can contact James F. Williams directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has James F. Williams received?
James F. Williams's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Bet-the-Company Litigation; Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation; Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Bankruptcy; Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:; Best Lawyers in America — Mass Tort Litigation.

Education

J.D.
University of Virginia
- 1994

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Bet-the-Company Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Bankruptcy
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Mass Tort Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Mass Tort
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Listed in Seattle Business, “Best Lawyers in the Business,” 2012 - 2013
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Listed in Washington Law & Politics, “Rising Stars,” 2000
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Listed in Corporate Counsel Edition of "Super Lawyers" in Business Litigation, 2008 - present
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Selected as a faculty member for “WSBA's Best of CLE 2004” based on instructor evaluations
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Selected by the ABA as a Business Law Ambassador, 2004 - 2006
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Selected to serve Washington as an ABA House of Delegates Member, 2005 - 2011
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Selected as the recipient of the WSBA President's Award, 2005
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Selected for membership in The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation, 2007
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Selected as the recipient of the Loren Miller Bar Association President's Award, 2008
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Selected as a recipient of The Burton Awards for Legal Achievement, 2010
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Selected as the recipient of the King County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Outstanding Mentor Award, 2012
- 2026

Bar Admissions

Washington, Washington State Bar Association

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