Avery Williams

Avery Williams is a trial lawyer specializing in complex commercial litigation and intellectual property matters. He is co-chair of McKool Smith’s trade-secret practice, and also focuses on representing clients in emerging copyright disputes concerning infringement related to AI-generated images. He is the author of McKool Smith’s AI Litigation Tracker, which provides weekly updates to monitor breaking developments related to key generative AI-focused copyright infringement-related litigations impacting the media and entertainment sectors.

Avery represents both plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal courts across the nation. His experience includes being a member of the McKool Smith trial team that secured a “Top 100 Verdict” for the developers of Canyon Ridge Resort against financial services firm Sterne Agee & Leach, and one of its former investment bankers. 

On the defense side, Avery’s victories include helping to secure a complete defense verdict for CenturyLink in a securities fraud suit brought by five groups of investors and four of its current and past executives who accused the company of securities fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and fraud.

Avery is recognized as a leading lawyer for commercial litigation by Best Lawyers.

• Schermerhorn et al. v. CenturyLink et al. Representing CenturyLink in defense of a mass action lawsuit involving 64 plaintiffs in five discrete groups that brought securities fraud claims relating to a sale of control of a distressed company. 
• Canyon Ridge Resort LLC et al. v. Sterne Agee & Leach Inc. et al. Representing a hotel development firm against an investment bank for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of contract.
• John DeGroote Services v. Harbach, et al. Representing the BearingPoint Inc. liquidating trust in a suit against BearingPoint’s former directors and officers for breach of fiduciary duty.
• In re: Semcrude, LP. Representing a collection of independent oil producers against a midstream oil company.
• Brightstar Corp. v. E-Recycling LLC. Representing a cellular telephone handset recycling company in a breach-of-contract suit.
• De Boulle Diamond and Jewelry Inc. v. Boulle Ltd. Representing a fine jewelry retailer in a trademark infringement suit.

• Recognized in Best Lawyers in America for Litigation: Commercial Litigation (2020-2027)