Bill Richards

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For over three decades of trial practice, Bill has developed an expertise in successfully managing complex litigation matters that place fundamental government policy, business reputation and growth, and even the essential constitutional rights of individual citizens in the balance.  As an Army veteran, Bill first honed his skills and judgment in government contract and environmental law matters.  Then, as a shareholder of a long-established Phoenix law firm, Bill expanded his skills in counseling and advocating for business, government and individual clients in a diverse array of matters ranging from bank and lending disputes to employment and securities industry claims and even police internal affairs issues.  He proudly served as Senior Litigation Counsel for the Civil Division of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office under then-Attorney General Terry Goddard, and was lead trial counsel for much of the State of Arizona’s largest and most complex civil litigation ranging from election law disputes to governmental regulation and finance challenges.  While serving the people of Arizona, his diligence in public service and commitment to exceptional treatment of clients earned him the prestigious Jim Jones Public Service Award, an award conferred on one public lawyer annually by the members of the Conference of Western Attorneys General, as well as recognition as leader of the Arizona Attorney General’s Outstanding Trial Team for 2008.

Bill continues to serve Arizona government clients, as well as individuals, large corporations, and small, locally-owned businesses.  As just a few examples of Bill’s unique accomplishments as a trial lawyer, he was a leader in 2014 of the State of Arizona’s 8-week federal jury trial to remedy religious discrimination in housing issues against the Town of Colorado City, Arizona and the City of Hildale, Utah.  That trial resulted in a jury verdict in favor of the individual citizens discriminated against for over $5 million.  Even more recently, in 2019 Bill and his team obtained a jury verdict of $1.5 million in a defamation action, and successfully defended the State of Arizona and its Department of Public Safety in the jury trial of a claim by a police officer arising out of an internal investigation.

When he is not advising clients on how to achieve their mission or business and personal goals without litigation, or leading trial efforts in federal and state courts, Bill is an adjunct professor for the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, where he teaches trial advocacy skills, and a frequent lecturer.  And this is what Bill is most proud of – his efforts to raise a new generation of lawyers who are, first and foremost, dedicated to the highest degree of personal trial skills and understand that their function is to serve their clients efficiently, with sound judgment and advice, and resolve matters as promptly as possible despite all the hurdles and delays modern trial practice presents.  To that end, Bill and Karen Moskowitz launched Richards & Moskowitz in 2020 as a new kind of firm focused on carefully training attorneys and staff to focus on the client, learn first about their story, needs and goals, and then deliver first-rate advocacy focused on efficiently obtaining results that make a real difference in their clients’ lives. 

Education

Arizona State University, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Tempe, Arizona
J.D. (Magna Cum Laude) – 1990

The Judge Advocate General’s School U.S. Army, Charlottesville, Virginia
1991

Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona
B.S. – 1987
Major:  Speech Communication

Pro Bono/Public Service Activities

Judge Pro Tempore, Maricopa County Supreme Court, 2005 – 2010; 2012 – present

Former Member, Board of Directors, Home ‘Fur’ Good Animal Rescue & Placement, Phoenix, Arizona, 2013 – 2021

Ancillary Businesses

Mediator for commercial litigation, contract, tort, employment, civil rights or securities disputes

Past Employment Positions

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Office of the Chief Counsel, 1991 – 1993

Ryley, Carlock & Applewhite, Litigation Associate/Shareholder, 1994 – 2004

Arizona Attorney General’s Office, Senior Litigation Counsel, 2005 – 2010

Bade & Baskin, Member, 2011

Bade Baskin & Richards PLC, Member, 2012 – 2013

Baskin Richards PLC, Member, 2013 – 2020

Bar Admissions

State Bar of Arizona

State Bar of Colorado (inactive)

U.S. Supreme Court

U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

U.S. District Court, District of Arizona

Presentations & Appearances

Law of Code Episode #57 – Bill Richards & Gideon Esakoff on Crypto Litigation: How to avoid it, warning signs, and self-governance.
August 8, 2022