William C. Mills

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Bill Mills is a Partner in the Philadelphia office of GRSM. Bill advises and represents a variety of entities in a wide array of complex construction matters involving industrial projects, such as oil and gas, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, biotech, and power facilities, in both the United States and abroad. He has also represented clients in major commercial, multi-family residential, and government projects throughout the U.S. Bill’ experience also includes assisting corporate clients with claims of occupational exposure to asbestos, silica, pesticides, lead, industrial adhesives and solvents, paints, welding fumes, and other substances with a particular emphasis on products used in the construction industry and in industrial settings.

In addition, Bill acts as national trial and coordinating counsel for a wide variety of companies with respect to complex product liability and toxic tort litigation. In his role as national counsel, he coordinates and supervises attorneys in multiple jurisdictions to ensure consistent and cost-effective defense of serial litigation involving various products.

Prior to joining GRSM, Bill served as Senior Counsel-Americas at Aker-Kvaerner (now Aker Solutions), an international Anglo-Norwegian industrial contracting company. While at Aker-Kvaerner, Bill managed all litigation for the engineering, technology, and construction division, which had $2 billion in sales and 9,000 employees in 30 countries. He also served as General Counsel for the residential construction division, which developed numerous communities throughout the mid-Atlantic region.

Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a manufacturer of a refractory product based upon expert testimony that no respirable asbestos fibers could be released from the product.
Successfully prosecuted claims against a Saudi government company in a $50 million dispute over an EPC project in Saudi Arabia.
Recovered several million dollars from a German pharmaceutical company on behalf of a U.S. contractor relating to the construction of a generic drug manufacturing facility.
Successfully defended a roofing sub-contractor in a multi-million dollar claim related to an exclusive oceanfront condominium project.
Obtained summary judgment based upon statute of repose on behalf of the installer of the façade of a state university science building.
Represented corporate defendants in class action cases with a particular emphasis on complex claims requiring sophisticated expert testimony.
Prepared and negotiated complex contracts on behalf of owners and contractors for major industrial, commercial, residential, and government projects, including oil and gas, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and power facilities in the United States and abroad.

Admissions

Pennsylvania
New Jersey
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
U.S. Supreme Court

Community Involvement

Bill is active in his community and has served on the board of directors of his local Rotary Club as well as his local YMCA where he chaired the Partner with Youth Campaign to raise funds for youth sports programs.

Education

J.D., Rutgers University School of Law, Camden, 1992
B.A., St. Mary’s College of Maryland, 1989

Honors

Best Lawyers in America® distinction in Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants (2020-2025)*

^{*No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. A description of the Best Lawyers selection methodologies can be found at: https://www.bestlawyers.com/methodology.}