Image

William Wray

Associate

Will represents businesses in an array of data privacy and intellectual property disputes, including high tech patent and trade secret litigation for Fortune 10 companies, and counsels innovators on proactive strategies to develop and protect their intellectual property portfolios.

Will has experience with federal court litigation concerning data privacy, GDPR, cryptocurrency, and cybersecurity matters. He leverages this experience and A&O Shearman’s global reach to provide pre-dispute counseling on complex, cross-border issues relating to intellectual property protection for developing technologies.

Will’s recent engagements (including prior firm experience) include the defense of a Fortune 10 company in patent litigation in California federal court, the defense of a global computer hardware manufacturer in patent litigation in Texas federal court and in a Section 337 investigation at the International Trade Commission, the successful defense of a state elected officer against a nationally-owned newspaper in connection with data privacy matters, the successful defense of an individual accused of CFAA violations and other cyber-crimes, participation in the defense of a major defense contractor in a dispute with a Saudi Arabian contractor in connection with arms sales, and participation in the defense of an international toy company defending allegations of trade secret misappropriation concerning a major product line. The International Association of Privacy Professionals has certified Will as a Certified Information Privacy Professional for the United States and as a Certified Information Privacy Technologist.

Before going into private practice Will served as judicial intern in both the Rhode Island Supreme Court and the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island. He was named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers from 2016-2023 and is active in the community with several professional and civic organizations.

Experience

Pro bono

An incarcerated individual in a successful action to obtain treatment to cure Hepatitis C.

An individual in a successful seeking to challenge civil forfeiture proceedings against her property.

An individual in a successful action seeking compensation from public housing authority concerning violations of disability-related rights.

A California high school student seeking to avoid enforcement of overbroad speech code.

Speaking Engagements

  • Lecturer, Cyber Law Issues in Family Law Cases, Rhode Island Bar Association, 2019

Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations

Lawyers’ Chapter President, The Federalist Society

Awards

  • Best Lawyers "Ones to Watch" Award, 2020-2023
  • Super Lawyers “Rising Star” Award, 2016-2023
  • Professional Excellence in the Law Award for Civil Litigation, Rhode Island Monthly, 2020
  • Professional Excellence in the Law Award for Appellate Law, Rhode Island Monthly, 2019 

Qualifications

Admissions

Admitted: Texas Bar, 2023

Admitted: California State Bar, 2021

Admitted: Massachusetts State Bar, 2013

Admitted: Rhode Island State Bar, 2013

U.S. Supreme Court

Courts

U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

U.S. District Court, District of Rhode Island

U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts

U.S. District Court, Northern District of California

U.S. District Court, Central District of California

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan

Academic

B.A., Middle East Studies, Brown University, 2010

J.D., summa cum laude, Roger Williams University School of Law, 2013

Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.