William R. Peterson joins Morgan Lewis today as a partner in the firm’s highly ranked appellate practice. Mr. Peterson, who served as a law clerk to Fifth Circuit Judge Edith Jones and to US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, has argued before the US Supreme Court, the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and state courts of appeals.

“Our growing appellate team is recognized for taking on high-profile, cutting-edge issues in state and federal appeals courts for a broad range of clients throughout the United States,” said Allyson Ho, co-chair of Morgan Lewis’s appellate practice who is based in Texas. “We are thrilled to welcome Will, whose distinguished credentials and top-flight advocacy skills represent an opportunity to deepen our appellate bench.”

Mr. Peterson, who will reside in the Houston office, is Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He joins the firm from a litigation boutique. Earlier in his career, he was a software engineer.

“As appellate law becomes more specialized it is important to offer clients a wide range of substantive capabilities,” added David Salmons, who co-chairs the firm’s appellate practice from Washington, DC. “Will’s experience before the US Supreme Court and his engineering background particularly suit him for tackling intellectual property appeals, among other areas, that are crucial to the success of our clients.”

Mr. Peterson is a member of the Garland R. Walker American Inn of Court. His association with the Inns includes serving as a trustee for the American Inns of Court Foundation and as a Temple Bar Scholar in 2011. Committed to public service, he has represented pro bono clients through the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program and has participated in the Houston Volunteer Prosecutor Program.

Lawyers in the firm’s Chambers USA-ranked appellate practice handle appeals in state and federal courts and in claims and tax courts across the United States. Morgan Lewis has secured significant, high-profile victories on behalf of clients across a wide variety of industries.

Mr. Peterson is the latest addition to the firm’s Texas team. Within the past year, Morgan Lewis has welcomed new partners Ann Marie Arcadi and Ethel J. Johnson to its award-winning labor and employment practice, as well as litigators Danny Ashby, Steve J. Korotash, and T. Gregory Jackson to serve clients in the areas of government enforcement, white collar matters, and commercial litigation.

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