William C. Wilka
PartnerBill heads the firm’s commercial litigation and dispute resolution practice. He has tried jury and non-jury cases and successfully handled numerous appeals in both state and federal courts. A significant part of Bill’s practice focuses on counseling individuals and entities in employment situations and resolving actual or potential disputes rather than engaging in litigation.
Bill is particularly skilled in negotiation with wide experience in alternative dispute resolution and has represented numerous clients in mediation and arbitration.
- Representing companies and individuals (with an emphasis on the employment or termination of executives of technology, social media and biotech companies) in employment matters, including negotiation of employment agreements, severance agreements and representation in the event of litigation
- Representing businesses and individuals in trade secret and unfair competition matters, including disputes arising out of non-competition, non-solicitation and confidentiality agreements
- Disputes that arise out of the formation or dissolution of corporate, partnership and limited liability entities as well as the purchase and sale of businesses and stock transfers
- Representing businesses and individuals in contract disputes, including distributorship, franchise termination, licensing issues and recovering amounts owed by other businesses and individuals
- Obtaining – and where necessary defending against – injunctions and restraining orders arising out of unfair business practices, statutory violations and the transfer of confidential business information
- Representing property owners and developers in claims arising out of the use, purchase, sale or exchange of real property
- Protecting clients’ interests in intellectual property rights in copyright, trademark and trade dress disputes
- Martindale Hubbell “AV” rating
- Northern California “Super Lawyer” 2007-2017, 2019
Admissions/Affiliations
- State Bar of California
- Bar Association of San Francisco
- American Bar Association
Education
- Luce Scholar, visiting lecturer, University of Singapore, 1977-1978
- J.D. – Georgetown University, 1975
- B.A. – University of Notre Dame, magna cum laude, 1972
Articles
- Author of “How to Avoid Liability and Protect Trade Secrets When Hiring and Losing Employees”, California Business Law Practitioner, Vol. 24, No. 1, Winter 2009 (CEB)
- Avoiding Trade Secret Liability when Hiring and Losing Employees
Speaking Engagements
- Presented program on “Employee Mobility in a High-Technology World”, Information Technology Law Institute 2008 (Practicing Law Institute)
- Business Practice
- Commercial Litigation