Biography
Hon. William Cahill (Ret.) has been a full time neutral for ten years and is well known for his preparation, adaptability, fairness and neutrality. He has an exceptional ability to relate to all participants in a case. Clients laud him for his ability to quickly grasp complex facts prior to the commencement of proceedings and for his creative settlement ideas that lead to closure.
Judge Cahill has handled Intellectual Property disputes related to patent, copyright and trademark infringement, as well as theft of trade secrets. These disputes have involved intellectual property of all sorts—including hardware and software technology, biotechnology and life sciences, medical devices, eCommerce and internet technology, and computer codes.
Representative Matters
- Successfully mediated large copyright dispute related to downloading music from the internet
- Handled mediation of large patent infringement dispute between two large biotech companies over patents on blood-glucose testing devices used by diabetes patients
- Handled mediation of patent infringement case involving technology related to the technology that lights laptop screens
- Arbitrated patent infringement dispute related to hormone enhancement drugs for women
- Mediated a patent infringement dispute over patents on ingredients used to make tires in Korea
- Handled mediation of a patent infringement dispute related to eCommerce technology, including allegations of theft of trade secrets connected with programming codes
- Mediated multiple theft of trade secret cases involving proprietary customer lists
- Mediated trade secrets dispute in which a company owner allegedly stole the concept of the company from a former friend
- Mediated multiple theft of trade secret matters arising from executive termination
- Mediated copyright dispute between global online social gaming company and Brazilian gaming company
- 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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Practice Areas
- Arbitration
- Business/Commercial
- Class Action/Mass Tort
- Construction
- Cybersecurity & Privacy
- Employment
- Energy/Utility
- Engineering and Construction
- Entertainment and Sports
- Environmental
- Estates/Probate/Trusts
- Federal Law
- Financial Markets
- Health Care
- Insurance
- Intellectual Property
- Personal Injury/Torts
- Real Property
- Securities
- Surety
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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