William's interest in the law derived from his admiration and respect for his uncle, deceased North Carolina Supreme Court Justice John Webb, who in turn was inspired by his uncle, deceased Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court William Devin. William understood at an early age that the rule of law is critical to protecting the rights of every citizen.
After graduating from law school in 1982, William advocated for victims of crime as an Assistant District Attorney in Wake County. For the last 27 years, he has advocated for victims of negligence in civil cases involving motor vehicle negligence, wrongful death, and products liability. Among his notable cases were the wrongful death cases against a municipality, its building inspectors, and a landlord arising out of a rental house fire in which a family of five, with children ages 7, 5, and 3, burned to death. The fire was one of the deadliest residential fires in the state's history. William has represented many victims of drunk driving collisions in claims against drunk drivers and the bars which served the drivers the alcoholic beverages.
William has served as President of the Wake County Bar Association. He has also served as President of the Tenth Judicial District Bar. He is a member of the Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference. He was an inaugural member of the Susie Sharp Inn of Court. He currently serves on the Board of Directors, the Professionalism Award Committee, the By Laws Committee, and the Athletics Committee of the Bar. He is a member, along with his son-in law (Jeff Monroe) and his cousin (Will Webb), of the 2012 Lawyer’s League Basketball Championship Team. He also is a former champion of the Bar's annual tennis tournament and golf tournament (4-person team).
William and his wife, Sally, have been married 32 years. They have a married daughter, two sons, and two grandsons. They also have a grandson who is deceased. When he is not working, William enjoys reading, playing tennis and basketball, and playing with his grandsons.
