William R. Peterson

A former software engineer with an engineering degree from the California Institute of Technology, William co-leads Morgan Lewis’s Federal Circuit practice and regularly argues patent appeals before the US Court of the Appeals for the Federal Circuit. For one of his Federal Circuit appellate victories, he (along with two other Morgan Lewis partners) was recognized as Litigator of the Week by Law.com.

William is board certified in civil appellate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Before entering private practice, he served as a law clerk to Judge Edith Jones of the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and to Justice Clarence Thomas of the Supreme Court. A recent mandamus petition that he briefed and argued to the Fifth Circuit on a novel issue of employment law led to a favorable decision that was recognized as “one of the most significant Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) appellate decisions in recent years.”

William formerly served as a trustee for the American Inns of Court Foundation and serves on the Executive Committee of the Garland R. Walker American Inn of Court. He was a Temple Bar Scholar in 2011 and participates in the Temple Bar Scholar selection committee. William also maintains an active pro bono practice and has represented clients through the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program and participated in the Houston Volunteer Prosecutor Program.

William regularly publishes papers and speaks at continuing legal education events. He also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Houston Law Center, where he co-taught “Origins of the Federal Constitution.”