William Davis

Shareholder | Portland


Licensed in Oregon & Washington


A breadth and depth of experience


Co-founder Bill Davis has worked as an insurance defense trial attorney for over 40 years. During those years he has litigated and tried cases in virtually every area the firm practices.

While excellent results in particular cases have been exhilarating, Bill’s most satisfying professional experience has been working with the attorneys and staff who have chosen to spend their careers at Davis Rothwell. Their singular focus on client service, with total commitment to professionalism, has created an environment where excellence is the norm.

Bill and his wife, Meredith, have two grown children. Bill spends much of his leisure time pursuing outdoor activities, including skiing, rafting, hiking, and golf.

  • Panel Speaker, The Intersection of Legal Malpractice Claims and Ethics Issues (August 2017)
  • Speaker, Professionalism Program, Willamette University College of Law (August 2012-2017)
  • Speaker, Learning the Ropes, Oregon State Bar CLE, “Negotiations, Tips, Trips, Traps and Tools” (November 2012)
  • Rising Star, selected for inclusion on the Oregon Super Lawyers® Rising Stars (2009, 2011)
  • Coach, youth sports: baseball, softball, basketball, and soccer (2008-Present)
  • Speaker and Co-Chair, Construction Law Seminar, Oregon Association of Defense Counsel and Washington Defense Trial Lawyers (March 2008)
  • Chair, Construction Defect Practice Group, Oregon Association of Defense Counsel (2005-2007)
  • Speaker, Oregon Casualty Adjusters Association, Dealing With Construction Defect Claims in Oregon (January 2006)
  • Speaker, Presentation to Oregon Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters, Construction Defect Claims in Oregon: Tendering the Claim (February 2006)
  • Speaker, Oregon Association of Defense Counsel Annual Convention Construction/Coverage Break Out Group, Coverage Pitfalls/Opportunities in the Settlement of Construction Defect Claims (June 2005)
  • Speaker, Risk Management Presentation to approximately 300 real estate agents (August 2004)
  • Speaker, Oregon Association of Defense Counsel Annual Convention Construction/Product Liability Break Out Group, Changes in Oregon and Washington Law Regarding Economic Loss Rule, Right to Repair Statute, and Product Liability Statute of Limitations (June 2004)
  • September 2018: Three-panel arbitration on an Under-Insured Motorist claim.
  • August 2018: Week-long jury trial on construction defect claim in Deschutes County, Oregon.
  • April 2018: Arbitrated a rear-end motor vehicle accident wherein the defendant driver claimed the firm’s mechanic client did improper work on the vehicle, causing the brakes to fail at the time of the accident. The arbitrator ruled the firm’s mechanic client did not cause the claimed brake failure.
  • March 2018: Defense verdict involving a bicycle and pickup.
  • December 2017: Trial in an admitted liability case in Clark County, Washington.
  • September 2017: Resolved a commercial construction claim involving $50 million at issue and discovery involving dozens of deponents and millions of pages of production.
  • June 2017: Defended a dual broker during a two-day arbitration involving a real estate dispute over claimed inadequate disclosures.
  • May 2017: Obtained a dismissal of a BOLI discrimination complaint against a hotel.
  • April 2017: Resolved a 27-party construction defect claim involving a 27,000-square-foot single family residence on behalf of the firm’s general contractor client.
  • March 2017: Obtained summary judgment in favor of the firm’s attorney client on a legal malpractice case involving the sale and litigation between a franchisor and franchisee.
  • March 2017: Dismissal of a BOLI complaint brought against a property manager for housing discrimination.
  • February 2017: Secured a dismissal of a licensing complaint against a real estate broker involved in the sale of property.
  • December 2016: Arbitrated legal malpractice case involving commercial lease. Arbitrator awarded less than pre-lawsuit offer.
  • July 2016: Four-day jury trial on admitted liability motor vehicle accident.
  • June 2016: After four-day jury trial jury entered a defense verdict on a $1.5 million fire loss.
  • June 2016: Four-day jury trial in Clark County, Washington, on an admitted liability motor vehicle accident. Jury award was less than claimed medical expenses.
  • May 2016: Four-day jury trial on a single vehicle motor vehicle accident. Successfully proved that 75 percent of fault rested with the settled-out vehicle manufacturer for a defective stop lamp switch.
  • April 2016: In an admitted liability motor vehicle accident trial, the jury’s total award was less than half of sought medical expenses
  • March 2016: Tried for four days to a jury a UIM/PIP matter.
  • January 2016: Plaintiff dismisses firm client and agrees to pay client’s cost bill in multi-vehicle accident
  • December 2015: Arbitrator awards less than firm’s client’s pre-lawsuit offer
  • September 2015: Tried for five days a slip-and-fall case
  • August 2015: Tried an admitted liability motor vehicle accident claim
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Oregon Association of Defense Counsel
  • Claims & Litigation Management Alliance (CLM)
  • Oregon State Bar Securities Regulation Section

“I strive to be the best possible lawyer and work with others in the firm to be the same.”William Davis

Portland

200 SW Market Street, Suite 1800
Portland, Oregon 97201-5745

(503) 222-4422

Seattle

701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 5500
Seattle, Washington 98104-7096

(206) 622-2295