William Africk
William Africk, a partner with the firm focuses on litigating matters in the areas of casualty and personal injury, products liability, toxic exposures and environmental losses. With experience handling expert testimony, he utilizes his background as a Public Defender and a law clerk in the Civil District Court for the Parish of New Orleans to advise his clients on the most practical, cost effective, and successful outcome.
Practicing in one of the most “tough on crime” jurisdictions in Louisiana, Mr. Africk began his career as a Public Defender and quickly grew at ease arguing to a hesitant, and, occasionally, hostile, Court. By the time Mr. Africk ended his time as a Public Defender, he had won 93% of all substantive motions, including attaining a victory in front of the Louisiana Supreme Court by the time he was 30.
Mr. Africk was considered an invaluable resource for defending DUIs and poisonings, while also attacking testing and experimental methods that were employed. Due to lack of funding, Mr. Africk was often required to make his case on the back of an adverse expert’s testimony. Thankfully, Mr. Africk had many opportunities to hone his cross-examination skills of those necessarily more knowledgeable in their own field.
Next saw Mr. Africk as a law clerk to the Honorable Chief Judge Christopher Bruno of Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans due to his drive to be a well-rounded attorney in civil law,. During his time clerking, Mr. Africk was able to learn the finer points of the practice of civil law and procedure. He worked on cases that not only involved disputes over car accidents or contracts, but also exposures to toxic chemicals, defective constructions, intentional torts, and regulation of businesses and non-profits. During his time clerking, Mr. Africk also assisted the Court rule on numerous Daubert hearings and evaluate the evidentiary weight of a given expert’s testimony.
Mr. Africk graduated from Tulane Law School where he was recognized as writing the best appellate brief in Legal Research and Writing course and also received a CALI Award in Comparative Contract and Tort Regimes. During his free time, he also externed for the Honorable Carl Barbier and the Public Defender’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. He was also an active participant for the in the Pro Bono Project and clerked for a growing Plaintiff’s firm as well as a well-regarded Defense firm that defended corporations against their alleged fault for casualties, toxic exposures and environmental and catastrophic losses. Mr. Africk recently co-wrote “Proactive Steps that Every Business Should Consider” published in For the Defense (October 2022).
During his free time Mr. Africk serves on the board of Encore Charter Academy and the NOLA Gold Foundation, one of three professional sports teams in New Orleans.