Category: Employment Law – Management Lawyer

Location (State/City): Syracuse, New York

Full Name or Firm Name: Steven Ward Williams, Smith, Sovik, Kendrick & Sugnet PC

Profile Picture or Firm Logo (URL): Not available

Practice Areas (Category):

• Employment Law – Management

• Litigation – Labor and Employment

• Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants

• Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs

• Product Liability Litigation – Defendants

Years of Experience: Over 30 years

Licensing and Bar Admissions:

• California Bar (1990)

• New York Bar (1994)

• U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit

• U.S. District Courts (various)

Firm Size (Number of Lawyers): Not available

Complete Office Address:
250 South Clinton Street, Suite 600, Syracuse, NY 13202

Consultation Information: Not available

Office Hours: Not available

Languages Spoken: English, Spanish

Specializations or Certifications:

• U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps (former Senior Trial Counsel)

• Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (past role)

Social Media Links:

• LinkedIn Profile

Contact Info (Phone, Email, Website):

• Phone: (315) 474-2911

• Fax: (315) 474-6015

• Email: swilliams@smithsovik.com

• Website: Smith Sovik – Steven Ward Williams

Notable Case Wins or Successes:

• Secured largest defamation jury verdict in U.S. history ($188 million)

• Won $1B breach of contract verdict for Bahamian corporation in Houston, TX

• Successful appeal before the Second Circuit (Alfaro v. Wal-Mart), creating new precedent

Client Testimonials or Reviews: Not available

Education:

• California Western School of Law, J.D., 1994

• SUNY Cortland, B.A.

Firm Headquarters (if applicable): Smith, Sovik, Kendrick & Sugnet PC, Syracuse, NY

Awards & Distinctions:

• Lawyer of the Year, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Syracuse (2023)

• Lawyer of the Year, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, Syracuse (2022)

• Lawyer of the Year, Litigation – Labor and Employment, Syracuse (2016)

• AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

• Recognized by New York Magazine, Lawdragon, and Super Lawyers

Steven Ward Williams Employment Law Lawyer Syracuse, NY

Steven Ward Williams is an experienced employment law and labor litigation lawyer based in Syracuse, New York. With more than 30 years of trial practice, Steve has represented businesses, professionals, and organizations in high-stakes employment law and personal injury defense cases across New York and beyond.

A former U.S. Navy JAG officer and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, Steve gained extensive courtroom experience early in his career. He has tried more than 70 cases to verdict and advised military leadership on labor and employment issues, tort claims, and civil investigations. His background as Senior Trial Counsel shaped his ability to handle complex employment disputes, civil rights claims, and federal workplace litigation.

Since joining Smith Sovik in 1995, Steve has built a practice that includes defending employers in wrongful termination, discrimination, and harassment claims, as well as handling products liability and personal injury litigation for corporate clients. He has also achieved landmark results, including the largest defamation verdict in U.S. history and a billion-dollar judgment in a breach of contract case.

Steve regularly appears before agencies such as the EEOC and the NYS Division of Human Rights and has argued multiple appeals before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. His focus is on delivering strategic defense and trial advocacy for clients facing significant legal challenges.

Services:

• Employment law management and defense

• Labor and workplace litigation

• Harassment and discrimination defense

• EEOC and agency representation

• Wrongful termination and retaliation claims

• Contract disputes and negotiations

• Civil rights and ADA/FMLA cases

• Products liability defense

• Personal injury litigation for defendants and plaintiffs

• Appeals in state and federal courts

FAQs:
Q: What types of employment law cases does Steven Ward Williams handle?
A: Steve represents employers in disputes involving wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims.

Q: Has Steven handled high-profile trials?
A: Yes, Steve has represented clients in nationally significant cases, including a record-breaking defamation verdict and a billion-dollar contract dispute.

Q: Does Steven also handle appeals?
A: Yes, Steve has extensive appellate experience, including arguments before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals and New York appellate courts.

About the Firm:
Smith, Sovik, Kendrick & Sugnet PC is a Syracuse-based litigation firm with a reputation for aggressive and effective trial advocacy. The firm represents businesses, employers, insurers, and professionals in employment law, personal injury defense, and products liability litigation. With decades of courtroom experience, the firm provides clients with tailored strategies to achieve strong results in state and federal courts.