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William E. Adams, Partner

310.255.6132 |   310.255.6232 |   william.adams@ffslaw.com
Download vCard | Office: Century City

William E. Adams HeadshotWilliam (Bill) Adams is a highly experienced litigation attorney representing individuals, small to mid-sized businesses, lenders and municipalities in business and real estate disputes.

Trial Lawyer with Experience Spanning Decades

Mr. Adams has over 30 years of experience practicing law. He has worked with both plaintiffs and defendants through verdicts and appeals in dozens of jury trials and court trials in both state and federal courts, as well as numerous binding arbitrations. He has represented clients in numerous matters resolved either at or before trial.

Mr. Adams has trial experience in many areas of real estate and business, including partnership and corporation dissolutions, commercial torts, theft of trade secrets claims, federal government contracting disputes and breach of fiduciary duty cases. He has also successfully managed trials involving breach of contract actions, commercial leasing disputes, construction licensing matters, and nuisance and trespass.

His business law acumen adds a deeper level of experience pertaining to commercial real estate, business and government and private sector contracts, as well as commercial loan and personal guarantee disputes and franchise disputes. He also covers direct, and inverse condemnation actions, insurance coverage disputes, tort claims act matters, and fraud and concealment claims.

Honors

Mr. Adams has been recognized as a Northern California Super Lawyer. He was also Judge Pro Tem for Santa Clara County and a Judicial Arbitrator for Alameda County.

Attorney Education

EDUCATION

J.D., Pepperdine University School of Law

B.A., University of California, Berkeley

Attorney Admited to Practice

California

Representative Clients and Matters

Obtained plaintiff’s judgment for fraudulent conveyance concerning transfers of real estate following civil judgment.

Represented owner of San Francisco commercial high-rise building against adjacent developer/general contractor for building displacement (leaning) caused by ongoing construction activities.

Obtained plaintiff’s verdict following court trial for fraud concerning purchase of skilled nursing homes.

Obtained defense verdict for municipality following 28-day jury trial regarding violation of public contracting regulations.

Successfully secured release of funds for client in judicial interpleader action.

Obtained plaintiff’s judgment for $12.1 million following jury trial for breach of commercial loan and fraud.

Obtained settlement at trial for national franchisor against departing franchisee for breach of contract and copyright infringement.

Obtained plaintiff’s judgment following five-day jury trial for breach of contract and fraud involving sale of dental practice.

Obtained $11 million settlement on first day of trial for 93-year-old plaintiff for fraud and financial elder abuse.

Obtained plaintiff’s judgment following five-day jury trial in action to recover payment on vendor supplier contract for large construction project.

Represented plaintiff homeowners in five-day court trial in inverse condemnation action against City for sewer intrusion.

Obtained defense verdict for life insurance company as defendant sued for recovery of benefits after discovery of misrepresentations regarding smoking history on life insurance application.

Obtained defense verdict for corporation in case involving claims of unlawful business practices and breach of contract.

Represented company Chief Executive Officer accused of negligently misrepresenting investment in a computer golf business. Settled during jury trial.

Represented defendant law firm in private arbitration filed by departing partner for breach of fiduciary duties and breach of contract. Resolved during hearing.

Obtained $2 million judgment following five-day jury trial for corporate client in eminent domain proceeding to acquire a utility easement across front of property.

Represented defendant, a stockbroker, in court action successfully overturning adverse arbitration award before NASD for over $800,000.

Obtained defense judgment for defendant title company, who was accused of fraudulent accounting practices in connection with purchase of plaintiff’s corporate stock.

Represented plaintiff sports franchise against sponsor for breach of sponsorship agreement.

Obtained plaintiff’s judgment for plaintiff purchaser of computer business in claims against sellers for fraud and non-disclosure following eight-day binding arbitration.

Represented plaintiffs, minority shareholders in a corporation operating a private golf course as minority shareholders and breach of fiduciary duties.


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Professional & Community Involvement

Alameda County Bar Association | Board of Directors | 2005-2010

Earl Warren Inns of Court | 2002-2012

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