William D. Ortiz

William “Will” Ortiz focuses his practice on complex civil litigation, emphasizing catastrophic injury, products liability, and premises liability.  Will is experienced in defending clients in high-profile litigation with the potential for excessive damages. Will is involved in all stages of litigation and is a valuable member of each client’s legal team providing insights, strategy development, courtroom and deposition expertise. Of significance, during Will’s time at WWHGD, he has taken over 40 depositions, argued and won several dispositive motions, and tried several cases to verdict.

Fluent in Spanish, Will frequently counsels Spanish-speaking clients and Latino-owned businesses in litigation matters.

Before joining the firm, Will served as a law clerk for the Honorable Charles J. Bethel of the Supreme Court of Georgia. This experience gave Will an invaluable perspective into the inner workings of Georgia’s highest court, including in-depth applications of complicated Georgia appellate and civil procedure and how to best frame trial records for appellate review. Will also worked for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights litigation department and previously operated communications for a U.S. Senator. 

Will earned his undergraduate and Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia, making him a proud double Dawg. In his spare time, Will enjoys traveling and has traveled to over 70 countries, having studied in 18 of them. He also coaches high school mock trial and is a devoted husband and dog dad.

University of Georgia, B.A., 2016

All-American Mock Trial Award; Senior Representative, Students for Latino Empowerment ; A-Team, Undergraduate Mock Trial Association

University of Georgia School of Law, J.D., 2020

President, Hispanic Law Student Association; Executive Board, Moot Court Board; Appellate Litigation Clinic; Finalist, Richard B. Russell Moot Court Competition; National Finalist, Mockingbird National Mock Trial Tournament

• State Bar of Georgia
• Georgia Court of Appeals
• Supreme Court of Georgia
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Georgia
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit

• Served as lead counsel and obtained summary judgment for multinational childcare agency in claims alleging sexual assault, negligent hiring, and negligent training
• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of product manufacturer in a wrongful death case alleging claims of defective design and failure to warn
• Successfully won summary judgment on appeal before the Georgia Court of Appeals on a wrongful death trucking case
• Obtained defense verdicts as lead trial counsel on behalf of trucking companies implicated in a criminal bench trial
• Secured dismissal of claims for the world’s largest film and television production company in a complex premises liability suit
• Currently serving as lead counsel defending multinational childcare agency against allegations of sexual assault, negligent hiring, and negligent training
• Currently representing a national waste pickup company in several wrongful death claims pending in the Southeast
• Currently defending several nationally-known trucking companies against claims arising from motor vehicle accidents
• Currently representing domestic and international corporations in products liability actions across the country
• Currently represents regional hospital system in numerous cases alleging medical malpractice

Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 2022 Leadership Institute Member

University of Georgia, 2022 "30 Under 30 Diversity Member to Watch"

National Order of Barristers

Kellie R. Casey Award for Outstanding Oral Advocacy

Georgia Hispanic Bar Association

• Young Leaders' Board Member

Georgia Latino Legal Fund

Georgia Defense Lawyers Association

Defense Research Institute (DRI)

• 2022 Retail & Hospitality Seminar Marketing Committee Member
• 2022 - 2023 Young Lawyers Steering Committee
• 2022 - 2023 Publications Subcommittee,  Vice Chair

Georgia Legal History Foundation

University of Georgia School of Law, Latino Alumni Association

• President, Founding Member, Board Member

Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

• Hispanic Young Professionals & Entrepreneurs, Member

Clarke-Carley American Inn of Court

• Barrister