Willig, Williams & Davidson is one of the largest and most respected union-side labor law firms in the United States. Founded in 1979, our accomplished and diverse legal team focuses on representing labor unions, employee benefit funds, individual working people and their families. For over 40 years, our mission has remained the same – to level the playing field by helping unions and working families navigate a complex and sometimes intimidating legal system.
Willig, Williams & Davidson helps our clients develop real-world solutions to complex legal problems. Our lawyers in PA address issues creatively and teach clients to think in new ways. We work with our clients to find practical and efficient solutions to the problems that they face. We put our energy and expertise into action to help our union clients win strong wages, benefits and job security for their members, on a variety of legal fronts, including national, regional and local contract negotiations, dispute resolution through mediation, arbitration and court litigation; representation of employee benefit trust funds in tax and benefit law compliance issues; representation of individuals in discrimination matters, advocacy for injured workers, and assistance with individual union members’ personal matters.
“Though there are many benefits to being represented by our firm, the breadth and depth of our practice areas are foremost,” said Deborah Willig. “We have the ability, for example, to walk down the hall and discuss the interplay in a given situation between an individual’s contractual rights, pension benefits and potential workers’ compensation claim. We deal with the legal, practical and real-world implications of each matter to more efficiently and effectively represent our clients.”
Willig, Williams & Davidson is one of a handful of mid-sized firms in the United States that specializes in negotiation and litigation on behalf of employees who have suffered discrimination at work and who do not have the protection of a union. In an employment dispute, workers are often pitted against companies that have substantial resources to commit to defending against employee claims. Because we as a firm are committed to the representation of workers, we have assembled a premier group of litigation attorneys with the experience, resources and commitment that are necessary to win the fight against all forms of workplace discrimination and harassment.
“There are few things in life that are more devastating than the loss of dignity that accompanies a discriminatory termination. The loss of valued employment for some clients is nearly as difficult to manage as losing a loved one. The legal team at Willig, Williams & Davidson is committed to helping clients and their families with the anxiety created by job loss and to find solutions that help them move forward in their lives and careers,” said Willig.
Our PA lawyers also address the wide variety of problems faced by working people, from bankruptcy to divorce or custody proceedings, to the purchase of a home or estate planning. We deal with complex legal issues that present themselves in people’s everyday lives, ensuring that our clients understand the facts and the issues before them in order to make educated choices pertaining to their legal matters.
Our firm provides thousands of union members with Prepaid Legal Services during tough economic times. Our members receive thousands of hours of advice, consultation, document preparation, and in-court representation in matters that touch virtually every facet of their lives.
“Willig, Williams & Davidson is a firm committed to representing all of the needs of working families, the unions that represent them and the benefit funds that protect them,” said Stuart Davidson.
The firm’s clients are served by attorneys who possess excellent academic credentials and legal experience. Without exception, every attorney is dedicated to providing outstanding service to the firm’s clients, the legal profession and the community.
“Our attorneys are not only skilled but passionate,” said Alaine Williams. “They provide what it takes to ensure that the labor movement not only thrives but also grows and increases economic security for all Americans.”
- Successfully defending ground-breaking collectively bargained contractual job security provisions with a large Philadelphia-area employer in both labor arbitration and federal court;
- Drafting and defending legislation requiring non-union workers in a bargaining unit to pay fair share fees to the union for benefits negotiated on their behalf;
- Handling the reorganization of a large health and welfare fund that required benefits to be stabilized, inappropriate vendors to be terminated and outstanding payments to be collected, ultimately resulting in a legally and efficiently run fund;
- Securing a $4 million verdict against an Ivy League University on behalf of a former faculty member who was wrongfully terminated;
- Saving the jobs of hundreds of disabled state employees who faced termination by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania;
- Negotiating a pension benefit settlement that averted the need for a strike in a major U.S. port.
- Successfully prosecuting a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act claim in federal bankruptcy court on behalf of hundreds of hospital employees;
- Securing a $2.5 million verdict against a closely held corporation, and its officers in a sexual harassment matter;
- Prevailing in a major arbitration regarding a large Philadelphia employer’s obligation to provide domestic partner benefits;
- Successfully litigating the applicability of the Pennsylvania Heart & Lung Act to police officers and firefighters in Philadelphia;
- Protecting union leaders who were subjected to retaliatory actions due to their political activities;
At Willig, Williams & Davidson, we put our clients first. Our firm enables a wide range of clients from varied backgrounds – individuals and union workers alike – and from varied income levels to obtain quality legal representation. We are committed to providing the highest level of professional services and to building strong personal relationships with each client.”
Join Us
If you’re passionate about making a difference for unions and working families, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to learn more about joining our dedicated team at Willig, Williams & Davidson. Use the QR code below or email manager@wwdlaw.com.
At Willig, Williams & Davidson, we don’t just talk about diversity, we live it. Willig, Williams & Davidson is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive working environment that celebrates and reflects the richness of the diverse communities we serve.
Willig, Williams & Davidson is comprised of people of different races, ethnicity, ages, socio-economic status, sexual orientation and religious beliefs. From its founding, we recognized that fostering diversity in our own firm would give us a competitive edge in attracting and retaining talented attorneys. We understand that inclusiveness in our entire workforce provides our legal team with ideas and insights that enrich both the representation we give our clients and our collective lives. That commitment to a culture of diversity is reflected in the current management and leadership of our firm, fully one-half of whom represent racial, gender, ethnic and LGBT diversity.
We also recognize the importance of family and parenting. For many years, the Pennsylvania Bar Association has repeatedly recognized Willig, Williams & Davidson as the leading firm in Pennsylvania for the Promotion of Women to Leadership Positions. At the first presentation of this award, our Managing Partner, Deborah Willig, stated, “We know that soccer games and senior proms are as important as briefs and oral arguments – and the former, unlike the latter can never be postponed.”
International and local unions and employee benefit funds rely on our knowledge and experience. Working families rely on our prepaid legal services plans and we care about each client. Our commitment to our clients enables labor organizations and their members to obtain quality legal services and the individual attention that they deserve.
Every case is different and none of our previous results should be relied upon to guarantee similar results in the future. A sampling of the successes we have achieved for our clients includes:
In recognition of Willig, Williams & Davidson attorneys’ outstanding advocacy, “Best Lawyers in America” lists many of our lawyers among the top practitioners in their respective fields each year and Thomson Reuters names many of our lawyers to its annual Super Lawyers and Rising Star listings. The firm also has been recognized consistently as a U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firm.” National organizations such as the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel invite our attorneys to join their memberships as fellows. Willig, Williams & Davidson attorneys have also been honored by many of the nonprofit and community groups that benefit from our firm’s dedication to philanthropy. These organizations include Temple University, Rutgers University Law School, the Philadelphia Bar Association, the Women’s Law Project, the Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program (VIP), the Support Center for Child Advocates, Women’s Way, the Jewish Labor Committee, The City of Hope, and the Nicholas A. Cipriani Family Law American Inn of Court.
In addition to providing outstanding legal services to our clients and giving back to our profession and the greater Delaware Valley community, Willig, Williams & Davidson is a recognized academic resource within both the labor and legal communities. Our Philadelphia and PA lawyers are frequently called upon to lecture on labor relations, employee benefits and civil litigation topics at leading labor, employee benefits fund, and professional events, and regularly contribute to legal and labor and employee benefit fund publications.
Willig, Williams & Davidson recognizes the need for participation in community and charitable activities. In fact, the firm has been honored by the Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program for providing legal services to the less fortunate on a pro bono basis.
Our attorneys have won numerous awards for their contributions and are encouraged to give of their time and talents, benefiting civic, educational, charitable and religious organizations and contributing to the greater good of the Delaware Valley community. A number of our attorneys have achieved leadership positions in the organizations they serve.
Here is just a sampling of some of the recognition our attorneys have received for their commitment to community service and the profession:
- Agent of Change Award, Women’s Way
- American College of Employee Benefits Counsel Fellow
- Best Lawyers in America
- Chester County Labor Council Citizen of the Year
- CLC Community Outreach Corporation, Board Chair
- Jewish Labor Committee Humanitarian Award
- Labor Human Rights Award, Jewish Labor Committee
- Masters of the Bench by Nicholas A. Cipriani Family Law American Inn of Court
- National Institute for Trial Advocacy Distinguished Faculty Member
- Pennsylvania Super Lawyers
- Philadelphia Bar Association First Woman Chancellor
- Philadelphia Magazine Rising Stars
- Temple University League for Entrepreneurial Women Hall of Fame
- Sol Hoffman Award for Outstanding Service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- Support Center for Child Advocates Distinguished Advocate
Some of the organizations our attorneys serve include:
- AFL-CIO Lawyers Coordinating Committee
- Animal Welfare League
- Church of the Good Shepherd
- Delaware River Port Authority
- Development Corporation for Israel
- First Presbyterian Church Philadelphia Council on Community Concern
- French International School of Philadelphia
- Homeless Advocacy Project
- Philadelphia Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Program
- Senior Law Center
- Sierra Club
- Support Center for Child Advocates
- Volunteers for the Indigent Program
Willig, Williams & Davidson is also a recognized academic resource within both the labor and legal communities. Our attorneys frequently lecture on labor relations and civil litigation topics at programs presented by the American, Pennsylvania and Philadelphia bar associations, the American Arbitration Association, the AFL-CIO Lawyers Coordinating Committee, the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Funds, area colleges and law schools, continuing legal education programs and union training and education programs. The firm’s attorneys also regularly contribute to legal and union-related publications.
We believe that our attorneys’ contributions to civic, charitable, educational, trade and religious organizations enhance their ability to serve our clients while enriching the lives of others. We are proud of our tradition of giving back to our communities.
Willig, Williams & Davidson concentrates in representing labor unions, employee benefit funds and individual working people. Our lawyers in PA are committed to providing the highest level of professional services and to building strong personal relationships with each client.
Willig, Williams & Davidson is legal counsel to more than 200 different labor unions in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and throughout the eastern United States, representing both private and public employees. They include international unions, state, district and local affiliates of the following labor organizations:
AFSCME – American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
AFT – American Federation of Teachers
ATU – Amalgamated Transit Union
BCT – Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers & Grain Millers
FOP – Fraternal Order of Police
IAFF – International Association of Fire Fighters
IAMAW (IAM) – International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
IBEW – International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
IBT – International Brotherhood of Teamsters
ILA – International Longshoremen’s Association
LABORERS – Laborers International Union of North America
PA. AFL-CIO – Pennsylvania AFL-CIO
PA. BCTC – Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council
SEIU – Service Employees International Union
UFCW – United Food and Commercial Workers International Union
UNITE HERE! – International Hotel and Restaurant Workers Union
USW – United Steelworkers
Our Pennsylvania attorneys are uniquely familiar with the federal and state administrative agencies and courts, and the laws which govern all aspects of the workplace. And our proficiency allows us to provide skilled representation in every area of labor law.