For 39 years, William P. Lightfoot has served as a lead attorney litigating multi-million dollar cases in the courts of the Metropolitan Washington Area. He negotiates settlement agreements, represents clients in arbitrations, mediations, and at trial, as well as manages cases from initial client intake through final disposition. He has recovered millions of dollars for his clients.
He represents people with serious injuries, such as death, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and broken bones. Mr. Lightfoot has extensive experience representing clients with physical injuries. His law practice is a combination of medicine and law.
Washingtonian Magazine wrote the following about his legal skills, “…few personal injury lawyers are more effective at winning big judgments for their clients.”
Cases he has litigated have changed dangerous practices of plumbers, manufacturers and health practitioners. Safe Kids, a child safety advocacy organization, recognized him for litigation that improved child safety related to burns from hot water. Appellate cases he has litigated have changed the law in the areas of closing arguments and statute of limitations.
The D.C. Trial Lawyers named him Trial Lawyer of the Year. Martindale Hubbell, Super-lawyers, Best-Lawyers, and AVVO have recognized his outstanding legal accomplishments. The American Association for Justice has awarded him its highest award for legal education. Each year he teaches law to lawyers from around the nation.
He is a member of numerous professional associations including the American Association of Justice, American Bar Association, Washington Bar Association, D.C. Trial Lawyers Association, American College of Trial Lawyers, American Law Institute, Leadership Washington, and Sigma Pi Phi Epsilon Boule.
He served two terms as a District of Columbia Councilmember At-Large, and he remains active in politics, having chaired four Mayoral campaigns. He continues to serve on the D.C. Judicial Tenure and Disabilities Commission that reappoints and disciplines judges.
He is an avid golfer, often enjoying comradery with members of the Washington D.C. Chapter of the Pro-Duffers.
Mr. Lightfoot is a graduate of Howard University and Washington University School of Law.
You may read about some of his current cases in the news section of our website. Mr. Lightfoot believes he is most effective when working with a skilled team of lawyers and legal assistants. As such, he serves as the senior trial attorney for the firm.
(Board Certified, Civil Trial Specialist, by the National Board of Trial Advocacy)
Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely
respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.
Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.
