William J. Dorsey

William J. Dorsey
Partner
Business Litigation

Biography

CO-CHAIR, CORPORATE LITIGATION PRACTICE GROUP

Will is a nationally recognized trial lawyer who has tried more than 75 cases to judgment in a career spanning more than two decades. Clients across the country turn to Will for high-stakes commercial finance, real estate, M&A, and executive compensation and non-compete disputes.

Banking/Commercial Finance Litigation

The nation’s leading banks, private equity firms, and family offices trust Will to represent them in commercial finance litigation nationwide, including enforcement of loan agreements and guaranties, intercreditor disputes, third-party fraud and Ponzi schemes, defense of lender liability claims, and lien priority fights. Clients often involve him early in workouts and potential litigation to help them anticipate and avoid pitfalls.

He represents commercial lenders in bankruptcy litigation matters, including cash collateral disputes, preference and fraudulent transfer actions, claim objections, plan confirmation, and lift stay motions. He also writes and speaks extensively on banking litigation matters.

Real Estate Litigation

Will oversees the judicial foreclosures of some of the most prominent industrial, retail, hotel, condominium, and condo-hotel projects in Chicago, Florida, New York, Hawaii, and beyond, having successfully foreclosed on billions of dollars of secured debt. For instance, he handled the foreclosure of a collection of 28 golf clubs across multiple states, large condo-hotel projects throughout Florida, several prominent buildings in Hawaii, and condominium towers in Chicago.

Clients rely on Will to negotiate and document forbearance agreements and deeds in lieu of foreclosure; litigate construction defect and mechanics lien claims on behalf of lenders, title insurance companies, and property owners; and handle complex commercial lease disputes.

M&A, Executive, and Non-Compete Disputes

Will counsels buyers, sellers, and lenders in contested merger and acquisition transactions and frequently provides transaction-related advice regarding representations and warranties and potential tort claims. He also litigates executive compensation and termination disputes, as well as breaches of non-compete and non-solicit restrictions.

Crain’s Chicago Business recognized Will in 2024 as a Notable Leader in Accounting, Consulting, and Law for his contributions to the Chicago legal profession, the firm’s banking and real estate litigation teams, and the community.

News & Views

See all News and Views

Recognitions

  • 2024, Notable Leader in Accounting, Consulting & Law, listed in Crain’s Chicago Business
  • 2025, Real Estate Law in Chicago, listed in Best Lawyers in America©
  • 2022, Notable Gen X Leader in Accounting, Consulting, and Law, listed in Crain’s Chicago Business
  • 2012–2022, Listed in Super Lawyers

Affiliations

Memberships

  • American Bankruptcy Institute

Credentials

Admissions

  • U.S. District Court - Central District of Illinois
  • Illinois
  • Missouri
  • New York
  • U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court - Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court - Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court - Northern District of Indiana
  • U.S. District Court - Southern District of New York
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court - Western District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court - District of Kansas
  • U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Missouri

Education

  • University of Michigan Law School, JD
  • Claremont McKenna College, BA

A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolades are based can be found here.

Related Services

Related Industries