WILLIAM S. DUFFEY, JR.
Mediation, Arbitration, Litigation Strategy, Evaluation and Consulting
Different Insights.
Different Approach.
The courtroom is a dynamic environment. Not because it is filled with drama, but because it is a place in which people with different backgrounds, biases, values, and motives come to participate in a process to evaluate human behavior. There are parties, witnesses, lawyers, and jurors. One person, the judge, is responsible for ensuring that the process is engaged on a level playing field. The judge has a unique perspective and insight into the litigation process. The judge understands nuances, litigating positions, presentations, and advocacy that often can predict success or failure at the end of the litigation encounter. The judge’s trial insights come from two rare sources. Only the judge has the perspective that comes from observing and evaluating everything that happens in the courtroom from the bench and in chambers, and only the judge has the privilege after a verdict to have unfiltered discussions with the jurors who decided the case. It is the judge who has a rare insight into why and how judicial offices and factfinders reach a decision. Access to these insights can determine which strategies lead to victory and which lead to defeat; what works, and what causes a crash along the way.
Unique Experience.
Successful Results.
Biography
William S. Duffey, Jr.
Mediator. Arbitrator. Litigation Consultant
William S. Duffey, Jr. recently retired from active service as a United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia. He served in the judiciary for 14 years. While on the bench, Judge Duffey presided over more than 2,800 civil and criminal cases and served on oral argument panels at the invitation of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Before his time on the bench, Judge Duffey served as the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia where he was responsible for the prosecution of federal crimes in his district, and for civil actions filed by and against the United States government
Before his appointment as United States Attorney, Judge Duffey was a partner at King & Spalding in Atlanta. He was elected as a partner in 1987. From 1994 to 1995, Judge Duffey left private practice to serve as Deputy Independent Counsel in charge of the Arkansas phase of the Whitewater investigation. He rejoined King & Spalding as a partner following government service. At King & Spalding, Judge Duffey’s practice involved complex civil and criminal litigation, including complex contract disputes, trade secret, corporate espionage and fraud matters. He also was involved in and managed internal corporate investigations.
After retiring in 2018, Judge Duffey has offered mediation, arbitration and litigation consulting services and professional presentations through Duffey Insights, LLC.