Lonnie is a nationally recognized trial lawyer, defending clients in all aspects of their businesses in courts throughout the United States. He focuses his practice on representing large companies in discrimination lawsuits and in intellectual property cases. Recognized for excellence by his clients and peers, Lonnie’s track record of success with judges, juries and arbitrators across the country gives him an edge in the courtroom and in other settings. A fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in America, Lonnie takes cases to trial and obtains verdicts on behalf of his clients. Those lawsuits include sex discrimination, retaliation, age discrimination, breach of contract, defamation, religious discrimination and other statutory and common law claims. He also has extensive experience in representing clients in trademark and non-competition matters including prosecuting the landmark Arizona case, Valley Medical Specialists v. Farber . He has also handled class action FLSA cases in more than 15 jurisdictions around the country.
EXPERIENCE Successfully defended a national client against FLSA class action claims in California Successfully handled a number of appeals relating to class action FLSA claims including appeals in state court in California and federal court in Alabama, Colorado and Georgia Obtained a summary judgment dismissal in a rare Equal Pay Act claim Successfully enforced an arbitration agreement and the dismissal of class claims in state court in California Obtained a jury verdict in favor of a national client against claims of national origin discrimination brought by two separate plaintiffs Obtained summary judgment dismissal in favor of a national company filed by a trucking trade group seeking to assert a class action under the regulations of the Federal Motor Carrier’s Safety Administration
PRACTICES & INDUSTRIES Labor, Employment & Benefits Business Litigation Class Action Employment Litigation
ADMISSIONS Arizona, 1979 U.S. Supreme Court, 2008 U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, 2011 U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, 2011 U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 1989 U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 1988 U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, 2003 U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, 1979
EDUCATION Yale University, J.D., 1979 University of Arizona, B.S., with highest distinction , 1976
RECOGNITIONS Co-presenter at 2016 Arizona SHRM Conference, September 2016 AZ Business Leaders 2016 The Best Lawyers in America © , Commercial Litigation, Labor and Employment Law, 1995 - Present Chambers USA ® , Labor & Employment (2003-present): "Sources enthusiastically endorse Lonnie Williams of Stinson Leonard Street as 'unquestionably one of the best trial lawyers in the state.' He focuses his practice on representing large companies in discrimination lawsuits." Profiled in AZ Business Magazine , AZ Business Leaders Issue, October 2013 Most Admired Leaders, Phoenix Business Journal , May 2014 Top 25 Minority Leaders in AZ Business Magazine , 2014 Southwest Super Lawyers ® , Business Litigation, Employment & Labor, 2007 - Present "Top 100 Most Powerful Employment Attorneys," Human Resource Executive Magazine and Lawdragon ™, 2010 - 2011
PROFESSIONAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow National Conference of Bar Presidents, Former President American Bar Association, Former Delegate Maricopa County Bar Association, Former President
NEWS PRESS RELEASE 08.15.2019 127 Stinson Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers in America PRESS RELEASE 05.07.2019 Chambers USA 2019 Recognizes Stinson Attorneys and Practice Groups PRESS RELEASE 08.27.2018 Thirteen Stinson Leonard Street Attorneys Named Lawyers of the Year by Best Lawyers in America
PUBLICATIONS ALERT 02.16.2018 California Case is the Latest to Address Whether Worker is an Independent Contractor or Employee ALERT 03.17.2017 Arizona State Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave Requirements Survive Legal Challenge
