Biography
Hon. William J. Cahill (Ret.) has successfully mediated and arbitrated numerous energy and utility matters while at JAMS and from the bench. Judge Cahill has experience with energy matters that include projects fueled by natural gas, electricity and various renewable technologies. The disputes range from price fixing to the engineering and design of industry innovations. Before being appointed to the Superior Court, Judge Cahill was a construction lawyer at the law firm Bronson, Bronson & McKinnon. In addition, he served as corporate counsel to a major engineering firm as well as smaller subcontractors.
Judge Cahill is known for his ability to quickly grasp complex facts prior to the commencement of proceedings and for his creative settlement ideas that lead to closure.
Representative Matters
- Mediation involving several-million-dollar dispute between owner of a power plant in Florida and design engineer for the project
- Arbitrated a dispute involving a Nevada power plant
- Mediated a dispute regarding the delivery of natural gas from Texas to California and price fixing
- Arbitrated over the construction of a security system at a northern California jail which involved the power supply to the jail and its effects on the security system
- Arbitration and mediation regarding FERC regulations and regulations’ effect on the price of power in the City and County of San Francisco
- Mediated dispute over design of windmills erected in the United State and Canada
- Mediated and arbitrated contract dispute related to purchase and sale of steam, water and hydrogen manufacturing facility and the provision of services between adjacent facilities
- Included on "National Mediators" list, Chambers USA America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, 2017-2021
- Recognized as a Top California Neutral, Daily Journal, 2004, 2005, 2009-2013
- Recognized as a Northern California Super Lawyer, ADR Category, San Francisco Magazine, 2004, 2006-2014
- Recognized as one of the three Best Neutrals in the Bay Area, through an open survey of attorneys, The Recorder, 2007, 2008, and 2009
- Recognized as one of the “500 Leading Judges in America,” by Lawdragon Magazine, 2006
- Recognized as one of the Bay Area's Top 10 Mediators and Top 10 Arbitrators, The Recorder, 2002
- Chosen as the top judge on the San Francisco Superior Court in a poll published in the San Francisco Examiner; Judge Cahill's settlement skills were noted in the December 14, 1998 article
- Trial Judge of the Year, San Francisco, 1992
- Lecturer, international, national, and local speaking engagements including topics related to class actions, mediation, employment, arbitration, insurance, construction, ethics, law and motion practice, expert witnesses, and clause drafting, among others
- Former Member, Chief Justice Ronald George's Committee to revise the California Civil Jury Instructions
- Judicial Officer, San Francisco Bar Association Bench Bar Media Committee, 1991-2000
- Former Member, Board of Directors, Association of Business Trial Lawyers, 1996-1998; (In 1994, Judge Cahill was chosen by the ABTL to be an instructor on settlements to both the United States District Court, Northern California and the San Francisco Superior Court benches.)
- Member, Litigation Section, Bar Association of San Francisco, 2000-present
- "Reading the Room," ADR Profile, Daily Journal, October 16, 2015
- Judge, San Francisco County Superior Court, 1991-2000
- Partner, Bronson, Bronson & McKinnon, 1986-1991
- J.D., Hastings College of Law, 1979
- B.S., University of California at Berkeley, 1976
Counsel Comments
- "As a mediator, Judge Cahill is prepared, diligent, perceptive, and persistent. He devotes his full attention to understanding the dispute, the dynamics of the parties and their counsel, and to reaching a resolution.”
- “Judge Cahill is an excellent arbitrator. He can handle matters that are extremely complex and he prepares very thoughtful and careful statements of decision.”
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This page is for general information purposes. JAMS makes no representations or warranties regarding its accuracy or completeness. Interested persons should conduct their own research regarding information on this website before deciding to use JAMS, including investigation and research of JAMS neutrals. See More