William R. Peterson

Partner

William R. Peterson provides appellate representation through all stages of the state and federal litigation process, from pretrial formulation of appellate strategy through oral argument in courts of appeal, including the Supreme Court of the United States. Will is board certified in civil appellate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Before entering private practice, he served as a law clerk to Judge Edith Jones of the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and to Justice Clarence Thomas of the US Supreme Court.

Extended Profile

In addition to handling cases in courts of appeal, Will works closely with trial teams on error preservation, complex briefing, jury charges, and appellate strategy. As a former software engineer, Will brings intellectual rigor and attention to detail into all aspects of his practice.

Will serves as a trustee for the American Inns of Court Foundation. His association with the Inns includes active membership in the Garland R. Walker American Inn of Court, receipt of the Temple Bar Scholarship in 2011, and subsequent participation on the Temple Bar Scholar selection committee. Will also maintains an active pro bono practice and has represented clients through the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program and participated in the Houston Volunteer Prosecutor Program.

Will regularly publishes papers and speaks at continuing legal education events. In the spring of 2015, he co-taught a class at the University of Houston Law Center as an adjunct professor.

Education

California Institute of Technology, 2002, B.S., Engineering and Applied Sciences
University of Texas School of Law, 2008, J.D., With highest honors

Admissions

Texas
Supreme Court of the United States
US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
US District Court for the Northern District of Texas
US District Court for the Southern District of Texas
US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
US District Court for the Western District of Texas
US District Court for the District of Colorado

Clerkships

Clerkship to Justice Clarence Thomas of the Supreme Court of the United States
Clerkship to Chief Judge Edith Hollan Jones of the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Awards and Affiliations

Recognized, Appellate Practice, Houston, The Best Lawyers in America (2020)

Lawyer On the Rise, Texas Lawyer (2019)

Recommended, Dispute resolution: Appellate, The Legal 500 US (2019)

Recognized as a “Top 100 Up-and-Coming Texas Rising Stars” by Thomson Reuters Texas Super Lawyers (2017)

Recognized as a “Rising Star” in Appellate Law by Thomson Reuters Texas Super Lawyers (2015–2017)

Temple Bar Scholar, 2011

Honorary Overseas Member of the Commercial Bar Association of England and Wales (COMBAR)

Recommended, Dispute resolution - Appellate - Supreme Court (federal and state), The Legal 500 US (2017)

Recommended, Dispute resolution: Appellate, The Legal 500 US (2018)