Q&A with Steven M. Williams
Our newsletter team recently sat down with the Chair of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Group, Steve Williams.
Tell us a little about your practice and the Commercial Litigation Group.
A: I provide a full range of legal services to help my clients avoid and resolve problems, as well as maximize the success of their businesses. I consult with my clients on day-to-day issues and advise them on the best course of action. If a legal issue can’t be resolved, I engage in dispute resolution efforts to help my clients get the results they need and want.
I handle matters involving all forms of real estate disputes, professional licensing issues (primarily for real estate professionals), disputes involving condominium and homeowner associations, employment matters, construction matters, debt collection, and bankruptcy matters, as well as business, partnership, and corporate matters.
A major portion of my practice is devoted to assisting landlords, property owners, and management companies, both residential and commercial, in disputes with tenants. I represent hundreds of entities, many of whom are national players who cumulatively own/manage tens of thousands of units in Pennsylvania. Whether in litigation or just counseling clients, I handle basic landlord/tenant relations matters, evictions, lease breaches, collections, lease drafting and negotiations, and fair housing (discrimination) issues.
I also represent businesses who are the targets of consumer protection investigations conducted by governmental agencies, such as the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, the Department of Justice, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as well as lawsuits filed by consumers.
Overall, our Commercial Litigation Group currently has 21 attorneys who practice in a wide array of areas and whose clients work in many different industries. We handle just about any issue that confronts businesses, including matters involving real estate, toxic torts, contract disputes, constitutional law, securities class actions, business divorce disputes, lending disputes, bankruptcy, debt collections, and tax issues, as well as consumer protection risk management, indemnification and insurance coverage issues.
What types of clients do you represent?
A: My clients include businesses of all sizes, from small and midsize organizations to large national companies. They work in a variety of industries, including construction, manufacturing, real estate and property management, financial services, retail, banking, professional services, and energy. I also represent municipal authorities and agencies, trade associations and condominium and homeowner associations.
What do you like most about your practice?
A: Relationships matter to me. I enjoy getting to know my clients and their businesses. Each one is different, approaches decision-making in a unique way, and has its own philosophy regarding dispute resolution.
I also truly enjoy helping my clients. In some cases, the matters I handle may seem small and inconsequential to the outsider. In others, the risks can threaten my clients’ entire existence. All of my clients’ legal issues matter to me, regardless of size and scope. I approach each issue with the same seriousness and recognition that my clients deserve.
I enjoy watching my clients’ successes and doing what I can to help achieve them. Whether obtaining a favorable jury verdict, successfully negotiating a business deal, or fending off a disgruntled employee’s claims, I celebrate each completed project with my clients. And, throughout each case or project, my clients and I work as a team, doing all we can together to ensure a successful outcome.
