William W. Jack, Jr.
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Biography

Bill joined Smith Haughey in 1975, and has twice served as the firm’s CEO. For a number of years he practiced in the areas of health law, medical malpractice defense, general litigation, and the defense of professional liability actions.

In the past 20 years, Bill has transitioned his practice and built a highly successful mediation/alternative dispute resolution practice on his solid reputation as a seasoned trial attorney and devotion to the legal community. A certified facilitative mediator by the U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan, he has served as mediator and case evaluator for hundreds of cases in the state and federal courts throughout Michigan. Representative cases include catastrophic personal injury, complex multi-party commercial litigation, and complex trademark and intellectual property matters.

Recently (in 2020) Bill was inducted as a fellow in the American College of Civil Trial Mediators. The College is made up of approximately 150 mediators from around the country. Selection to this prestigious and exclusive group is by invitation only and is based on experience, skill, reputation, ethical standards, and commitment to alternative dispute resolution.  Bill is one of only four fellows from Michigan, one of only two actively mediating cases in the state, and the only one in West Michigan. It is a singular and well deserved honor.

Bill has trained lawyers in advocacy skills for individual law firms in several states and has also trained litigation counsel for a number of national insurance carriers. In addition, he is very active in both his profession and community, having held a number of elected positions and memberships in legal and community organizations.

Admitted

State Bar of Michigan, 1973

Education

Denison University (B.A., 1969)

University of Denver

The George Washington University (J.D., with honors, 1973)

Accolades

Fellow in the American College of Civil Trial Mediators (Inducted in 2020)

Included in the 2018-2024 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® for Arbitration

Included in the 2011-2024 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® for Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants, Mediation, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants, and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants

Named to the 2021-2023 Grand Rapids Magazine Top Lawyers lists for Mediation

Selected to the 2006-2022 Michigan Super Lawyers lists for Alternative Dispute Resolution

Named the Best Lawyers® 2019 and 2021 Arbitration "Lawyer of the Year" in Grand Rapids

Named the Best Lawyers® 2014, 2018, and 2020 Mediation "Lawyer of the Year" in Grand Rapids

Named the Best Lawyers® 2013, 2016, and 2018 Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants "Lawyer of the Year" in Grand Rapids

2017 Michigan Lawyers Weekly Michigan Lawyer of the Year

Named the Best Lawyers® 2012 Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants "Lawyer of the Year" in Grand Rapids

Listed in Leading Lawyers (2014) -- Medical Malpractice Defense Law, Personal Injury Defense Law: General, ADR Law: Personal Injury

Recipient, Hillman Award, presented by the Hillman Advocacy Institute, 2011

AV Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

Recipient, Michigan Defense Trial Counsel Excellence in Defense Award, 2002

Recipient, Respected Advocate Award, presented by the Michigan Association for Justice, 2009

Recipient, Inaugural 2021 Distinguished Mediator of the Year Award presented by the Negligence Section of the State Bar of Michigan

Affiliations

Faculty, Steering Committee, Hillman Advocacy Program

President: Western Michigan Chapter of the Federal Bar Association

Faculty, National Institute for Trial Advocacy, 1985—present

Member, American Board of Trial Advocates

Fellow: American Bar Foundation

Fellow: Michigan State Bar Foundation

Faculty, National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA)

American Bar Association (Member, Sections on: Tort and Insurance Practice; Litigation)

State Bar of Michigan (Member, Sections on: Negligence Law; Law Practice Management; Alternative Dispute Resolution)

Grand Rapids Bar Association (President, 1998-1999)

American Inns of Court (Past President, Western Michigan Chapter)

Michigan Defense Trial Counsel (President, 1987-1988; Member, Board of Directors, 1986--)

Team Leader, University of Michigan Law School Trial Advocacy Course, 1986-1996

Former adjunct faculty, MSU College of Law and Cooley Law School

Former Board Member, Kids Food Basket

Planned Parenthood Centers of West Michigan, Board of Directors, 1995-2000