William Allcott

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Will has had an over 30-year career at the intersection of law and public opinion. Prior to attending law school he was a police and courts reporter in Palm Beach County Florida. From 1976 to 1986, he practiced law in Richmond where he was involved in the media aspects of many high-profile civil cases, notably helping coordinate media responses for the product manufacturer's insurer in the Dalkon Shield litigation.

He was one of the first editorial staff members of Virginia Business, Virginia's only statewide business magazine, where he supervised the magazine's coverage of public policy issues and wrote a column on legal matters affecting Virginia's business community. The author of two books and numerous articles in national and regional publications, he also served as U.S. Senator Charles S. Robb's communications director.

Will advises corporate and nonprofit executives and boards of directors on the public aspects of legal matters. Teaming with McGuireWoods attorneys he provides guidance on how to position high-profile cases and matters to the client’s best advantage. Over the years he has dealt with nearly every type of legal situation. In the litigation context he has been involved in antitrust litigation, nationwide personal injury cases, class actions, governance disputes in both the for-profit and nonprofit arenas, environmental litigation, constitutional cases, claims of discrimination, commercial litigation, regulatory enforcement actions and criminal prosecutions of clients as diverse as a top elected official, a university president and an Olympic athlete. He has assisted retailers, financial service institutions and hospitality companies deal with the public and media aspects of bankruptcy and restructuring. In the corporate context he has helped clients position high-profile acquisitions, controversial site selections, mergers and sensitive executive transitions.

Much of Will’s practice involves assisting clients in times of crisis and the aftermath. His experience covers the broadest spectrum of crisis situations, including industrial accidents, deadly workplace violence, pollution-related injury and death and catastrophic release of contaminants into the environment. On numerous occasions he has been called in to assist religious and educational institutions in dealing with allegations of sexual abuse of children. He has given mine owners guidance in dealing with the public as they work to rescue miners trapped underground. Healthcare executives have called on Will to assist in situations of employee theft of confidential patient information, patient fatality from contaminated food, an imposter posing as a health care worker and patient-on-patient violence. His clients have included university presidents and boards embroiled in academic scandals, school administrators handling incidents of student violence, food companies facing nationwide claims of contamination and boards of directors dealing with the arrest and prosecution of top executives.

Because of the highly sensitive nature of Will’s work he makes it a policy not to identify his clients or specific matters except on a confidential basis by request and with the client’s consent.