Senior Attorney

Clay Williams joined The Martin Law Group in 2016 as a Senior Attorney. Clay's practice focuses on ERISA disability, life insurance, pension/retirement benefits and class action.

After law school, Clay served as Law Clerk for Justice Hugh Alva Maddox of the Supreme Court of Alabama, then as Staff Attorney for Justice Jean Brown. Thereafter, Mr. Williams entered private practice where he devoted his career to the representation of individuals and small businesses in a variety of matters, including in litigation before numerous state and federal jurisdictions.

 

 

EDUCATION

J.D., Cumberland School of Law, Samford University (1999)

• Curia Honoris Society
• Cordell Hull Legal Research & Writing Teaching Fellowship
• Executive Editor, American Journal of Trial Advocacy
• Member, National Moot Court Team

M.A., Financial Accounting, Auburn University (1996)

B.A., Accounting, Auburn University (1995)

• Beta Alpha Psi Accounting Honorary Fraternity

 

LICENSED IN

Alabama (1999)

 

ADMITTED IN

U.S. Supreme Court

Alabama Supreme Court

Nevada Supreme Court

U.S. District Court

• Northern District of Alabama
• Southern District of Alabama
• Middle District of Alabama
• Northern District of Florida
• Eastern District of Arkansas
• Eastern District of Tennessee
• District of Nevada

U.S. Court of Appeals

• 2nd, 6th and 11th Circuits

 

PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

• Member, Alabama Bar Association
• Member, Birmingham Bar Association
• Member, Birmingham Bar Association Public Service Committee
• Member, Birmingham Bar Association Bulletin Committee
• Member, Huntsville-Madison County Bar Association
• Member, Nevada Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Chair, Trinity United Methodist Church Board of Trustees
• Member, Trinity United Methodist Church Administrative Board
• Lay Volunteer in homeless ministries, Church of the Reconciler and Family Promise Program
• National Moot Court Team Coach for New York Bar Competition, Cumberland School of Law
• Board Secretary and League Commissioner, Homewood Park Youth Baseball Board
• Youth Baseball & Basketball Coach

 

REPRESENTATIVE CASES

In re Bakery and Confectionery Union and Industry Int'l Pension Fund Pension Plan, 865 F. Supp. 2d 469 (S.D.N.Y. 2012), aff'd sub nom by Alcantara v. Bakery and Confectionery Union and Industry Int'l Pension Fund Pension Plan, 751 F.3d 71 (2d Cir. 2014): Obtained judgment for pension plan participants in an action for enforcement of ERISA's “anti-cutback” rule before prevailing again on appeal to the Second Circuit.

Melech v. Life Ins. Co. of N. Am., 739 F.3d 663 (11th Cir. 2014): Successfully appealed a judgment against the plaintiff in a precedential case addressing the duties and obligations owed by plan administrators in the review and adjudication of claims for ERISA-governed benefits.

Gooch v. Life Investors Ins. Co. of Am., 672 F.3d 402 (6th Cir. 2012): Obtained a favorable ruling on class certification simultaneously with a grant of summary judgment on the breach of a supplemental insurance policy.

Smith v. Life Ins. Co. of N. Am., 33 F. Supp. 3d (N.D. Ala. 2014): Negotiated a favorable settlement of a claim for long term disability benefits after obtaining an important discovery ruling.

Katherine A. Virago v. Life Ins. Co. of N. Am., Civil Action No. 2:13-cv-01976-RDP (N.D. Ala.): Obtained successful resolution of an ERISA disability claim which included reinstatement of the client's full benefit.

Imtiaz P. Syed v. Accenture LLP, et al, Case No. 1:14-cv-08103 (N.D. Ill.): Negotiated a favorable settlement of a claim for breach of fiduciary duty and equitable relief under ERISA relating to a group life insurance benefit.

NO GUARANTEE OF RESULTS

Some of the case summaries, reports of past results, and lawyer biographical information describe past matters handled for clients. These descriptions are meant only to provide information about the activities and experience. They are not intended as a guarantee that the same or similar results can be obtained in every matter undertaken. You should not assume that a similar result can be obtained in a legal matter of interest to you. The outcome of a particular matter can depend on a variety of factors—including the specific factual and legal circumstances, the ability of opposing counsel, and, often, unexpected developments beyond the control of any client or lawyer. The Martin Law Group, LLC, does not offer any guarantee of case results, and past success in litigation does not guarantee success in any new or future lawsuit.