William P. Pistorius
Partner
William P. Pistorius is an equity partner with Clausen Miller P.C. who concentrates his practice in the areas of fire and explosion litigation, construction liability, professional and products liability, municipal defense, commercial litigation, employment matters and insurance coverage.
Mr. Pistorius graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana in 1984. He received his Juris Doctor from the DePaul University College of Law in 1987.
Mr. Pistorius began his legal career in 1987 as an Illinois Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Appeals Division. During his time there, he briefed and argued several cases in the Illinois Supreme Court and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Mr. Pistorius joined the Criminal Prosecutions Bureau of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in 1990, where he supervised attorneys in the Appellate Division.
In 1991, Mr. Pistorius transferred to the Federal Litigation Unit of the Civil Actions Bureau, where he gained significant jury trial experience defending county officials who were sued in federal court. Mr. Pistorius was promoted to supervisor of the Torts and Claims Unit in 1993. The Torts and Claims Unit consisted of 15 attorneys who were responsible for defending Cook County and its officials in personal injury, property damage, and workers’ compensation cases.
Mr. Pistorius is an experienced and highly successful litigator both at the appellate and trial levels. In addition to his trial work, Mr. Pistorius has much experience in mediating complex matters prior to trial. He has served as lead counsel representing clients in large-scale fire and explosion losses, involving high value property damage claims, and requiring the coordination of teams of attorneys and support staff. Mr. Pistorius has represented numerous owners, general contractors and subcontractors in the defense of construction liability actions, many of which involved serious personal injuries. He has represented municipalities and police officers in civil rights lawsuits, and has represented employers involved in employment litigation. Mr. Pistorius has handled litigation involving pharmaceutical contamination, class actions, and other complex matters. Mr. Pistorius has published articles in periodicals for health care professionals and in a national publication for defense counsel.
In addition to his membership in the Illinois Bar; Mr. Pistorius is a member of the Trial Bar for the Northern District of Illinois and is admitted to practice before the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. He is a member of the Defense Research Institute. Mr. Pistorius is also a graduate of the Teaching Advocacy Skills program of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy. He has an "AV" rating with Martindale-Hubbell indicating the highest ranking in legal ability and ethical standards as determined by his peers in the legal community.
Education
- J.D. DePaul University College of Law, 1987
- B.A. University of Illinois, 1984
Bar Admissions
- Illinois
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 1987
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, 1988
Organization Affiliations
- Chicago Bar Association
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Defense Research Institute
