William D. Christ
Partner
Governing Committee Member
Buffalo; New York City
(716) 847-8332
(212) 759-4888 ext. 8332
wchrist@phillipslytle.com
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Mr. Christ is an experienced litigator. He has significant experience in the defense of personal injury, products liability, workplace accident, wrongful death and construction claims, as well as insurance coverage and commercial litigation, including contract disputes and business torts.
Admitted to Practice
- New York
- Massachusetts
- District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
Honors and Awards
- The Daily Record, Power 20 Personal Injury List, 2021-2022
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America©
- Named the Best Lawyers® Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants “Lawyer of the Year” in Buffalo, 2022
- Selected for the Upstate New York Super Lawyers® list, 2009-2022
- The Daily Record, Power 20 Litigation List, 2021
- U.S. District Court, Western District of New York, Special Service Award for Pro Bono Service, September 2000
- Honoree of the New York State Bar Association Empire State Counsel® Program for Pro Bono Work, 2011, 2013
- March of Dimes Leo Jaffe Distinguished Volunteer Service Award
Education
- New York University School of Law, J.D., 1990
- Boston College, B.A., magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 1986
Judicial Clerkships
- Hon. David G. Larimer; U.S. District Court, Western District of New York, 1990-1992
Professional Associations
- American Bar Association
- Litigation Section
- Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section (TIPS)
- Bar Association of Erie County
- Negligence and Appellate Practice Committees
- Defense Research Institute
- Leadership Buffalo
- Litigation Counsel of America™, Fellow
- New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers
- New York State Bar Association
- Commercial and Federal Litigation Section
- Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section
Present Activities
- Boy Scouts of America, Greater Niagara Frontier Council, Advisory Council
- National Federation for Just Communities of Western New York, Board Member
- Phillips Lytle LLP Governing Committee, Member, 2011-2016, 2019-Present
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo
- Bishop’s Council of the Laity, Member
- Suneel’s Light Foundation, Board of Directors
Past Activities
- Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout, 1979
- Canisius High School, Gambit Co-Chair, 2013
- Leadership Buffalo, Member, Class of 2004
- March of Dimes, New York State
- Chair, New York State Chapter, 2011-2013
- Vice-Chair, 2006-2010
- Board Member, 2002-2010
- Chair, Upstate Chapter, 2005-2006
- Chair, Western New York Division, 2003-2005
- Niagara USA Chamber, Board Member, 2004-2018
- St. Gregory the Great Parish,Trustee
- Finance Council, Chair, 2003-2004; Vice Chair, 2002-2003
- Catholic Charities Drive, Co-Chair, 2000-2003; Chair, 2004
