Joseph W. Williford

Background

Joe’s work centers on medical malpractice defense and related practice areas. He has more than 20 years’ experience in medical malpractice, workers’ compensation and general casualty litigation.

Joe represents physicians, hospitals, long term care providers and medical device manufacturers. He has appeared in cases in all the federal courts in North Carolina, the state trial courts throughout North Carolina and administrative hearings before the North Carolina Medical Board. In addition, Joe has argued cases before both the North Carolina Supreme Court and the North Carolina Court of Appeals.

Joe is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC), the Defense Research Institute (DRI) and the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys (NCADA). He has served on the firm’s practice management committee. Joe holds an AV Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

Practice Areas

• Medical Malpractice Defense
• Nursing Home/Long Term Care Litigation
• Product Liability

Education & Bar Admissions

• J.D., Wake Forest University School of Law, 1981
• B.A., cum laude, Wake Forest University, 1978

Admitted in

• North Carolina, 1981
• U.S. District Courts for North Carolina
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit
• U.S. Supreme Court

Awards & Achievements

• Listed in North Carolina Super Lawyers™ 2006-2008
• Law review, Wake Forest University School of Law, 1981

Professional & Civic Activity

• American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
• Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC)
• Defense Research Institute (DRI)
• North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys (NCADA)

Publications & Presentations

• Comment, The Use of Blood Tests in Actions to Determine Paternity, 16 Wake Forest Law Rev. 591 (1980)
• Lecturer, Advanced Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina, February, 1991, National Business Institute
• Lecturer, Basic Workers’ Compensation, April, 1992, North Carolina Bar Foundation Continuing Legal Education
• Lecturer, Nursing Home Litigation, August 2003, North Carolina Health Care Facilities Association

Milestones

• Osburn v. Maxwell, 135 N.C. App. 88, 529 S.E.2d 88 (1999), aff’d per curium 352 N.C. 143, 530 S.E.2d 54 (2000) (issue of informed consent as to FDA status of medical devices).
• Moore v Standard Mineral, 122 N.C. App. 375, 469 S.E.2d 594 (1996) (workers’ compensation issue of average weekly wage in silicosis case).
• Locklear v Scotland Memorial Hospital, Inc., 119 N.C. App. 245, 457 S.E.2d 764 (1995) (medical malpractice service of process issue).
• Hardin v Venture Construction Co., 107 N.C. App. 758, 421 S.E.2d 601 (1992) (workers’ compensation issue of average weekly wage in death case).
• Wallace v Haserick, 105 N.C. App.315, 412 S.E.2d 694 (1992) (medical malpractice affirmative defense issue).
• Huggard v Wake County Hospital System, 102 N.C. App. 772, 403 S.E.2d 568 (1991), aff’d., 330 N.C. 610, 411 S.E.2d 610 (1992) (medical malpractice involving service of process as to “John Doe” defendant).
• McKenzie v McCarter Electric Co., 86 N.C. App. 619, 359 S.E.2d 249 (1987) (workers’ compensation involving aggravation of pre-existing condition).
• Jones v Beaunit Corp., 72 N.C. 351, 424 S.E.2d 624 (1985) (workers’ compensation involving occupational disease).
• Smith v Intermedics, Inc., 767 F.2d 82 (1985) (product liability claim involving pacemaker).

Disclaimer: The above information may not necessarily reflect the attorney’s entire record, and the outcome of any particular future matter cannot be predicated on the attorney’s or law firm’s past results.