Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison has added William M. Jay as a partner in Washington, D.C., and named him head of the firm’s Supreme Court & Appellate Litigation Practice as it continues expanding its Litigation Department.
Jay joins from Goodwin Procter, where he was a partner and member of the firm’s Supreme Court practice.
He brings extensive experience before the U.S. Supreme Court and federal appellate courts, including 19 arguments before the Supreme Court.
Jay has briefed more than 65 Supreme Court cases on the merits and more than 150 matters at the certiorari stage.
Across the Supreme Court and federal and state courts of appeals, he has delivered more than 100 oral arguments.
His practice covers intellectual property, financial services, class actions and mass torts, administrative law, antitrust, securities litigation and constitutional challenges to state laws.
Jay also has significant experience handling appellate matters involving intellectual property, including patent, copyright and trademark disputes.
His Supreme Court victories include Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. v. Sandoz, Inc., Helsinn Healthcare S.A. v. Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc., Star Athletica, L.L.C. v. Varsity Brands, Inc. and B&B Hardware, Inc. v. Hargis Industries.
He is also frequently retained before trial to handle significant motions and develop litigation strategies with potential appeals in mind.
Before entering private practice, Jay served as an Assistant to the U.S. Solicitor General and clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
He earned both his undergraduate degree and J.D. from Harvard, where he served as an executive editor of the Harvard Law Review.
Jay has received numerous industry recognitions for his appellate work.
Benchmark Litigation named him its nationwide Appellate Litigator of the Year in 2020.
He has been included in The Legal 500’s Appellate Hall of Fame from 2021 through 2026 and has been ranked Band 1 by Chambers USA for Appellate Law from 2015 through 2026.
Jay also received a Band 1 ranking for Intellectual Property: Appellate, making him one of only four lawyers to receive Band 1 recognition in both categories this year.
His additional industry recognition includes appearances on Managing IP’s IP Stars list and IAM Patent 1000’s rankings of leading Federal Circuit appellate practitioners.
Jay is also president-elect of the Edward Coke Appellate Inn of Court and a Fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers.
The hire strengthens a Paul, Weiss litigation practice that advises major companies across financial services, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, energy, media, sports and insurance, among other industries.
Paul, Weiss has more than 1,500 lawyers globally and continues to expand its capabilities across litigation, corporate and restructuring matters.
KEY QUOTES:
“Willy is a standout appellate advocate and one of the most respected lawyers in the appellate bar. We’re thrilled to welcome him to Paul, Weiss, where he will be an invaluable resource for our clients.”
Scott A. Barshay, Chairman Of Paul, Weiss
“Willy’s rare combination of experience, judgment and composure has made him a star in the appellate arena. He is a great fit for our already strong department, and his addition will allow us to continue to deliver excellent results for our clients.”
Michael Holston, Co-Head Of The Litigation Department At Paul, Weiss
“I am excited to bring my practice to Paul, Weiss, a firm that has long been known for the exceptional quality of its lawyers. I have had the privilege to represent clients in the highest courts throughout my career, and I look forward to continuing that work with the support of the platform this firm provides.”
William M. Jay, Partner And Head Of The Supreme Court & Appellate Litigation Practice At Paul, Weiss
