William Faulkner

William Faulkner is a San Jose civil trial attorney who represents businesses and individuals in complex litigation. He handles business disputes, commercial real estate matters, intellectual property cases, probate litigation, and selected family law matters involving business concerns. His practice also includes transactional and contract counseling designed to keep clients out of court when possible. He brings extensive state and federal courtroom experience to significant commercial and property disputes regularly.

William earned his J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law and his B.A. from Stanford University. His education supports a career centered on civil litigation, commercial matters, property disputes, and business counseling. He applies legal analysis, negotiation skills, and courtroom judgment when evaluating claims, interpreting contracts, advising companies and individuals, and preparing matters for settlement, arbitration, trial, or appellate review in California courts across varied matters.

William has achieved significant results in business and real estate disputes, including an arbitration award exceeding $15 million for clients seeking recovery of partnership debt. He also obtained a defense judgment with attorney fees in a real estate fraud case involving more than $25 million in claimed damages. His experience includes commercial lease disputes, probate matters, federal and state litigation, mediation, arbitration, and service as a neutral evaluator for clients.

William Faulkner has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America for 19 consecutive years and by Northern California Super Lawyers from 2006 through 2026. He was named 2022 Lawyer of the Year for Litigation – Trusts and Estates. He also serves as a judge pro tem, mediator, arbitrator, and early neutral evaluator. His professional background reflects sustained trial advocacy, business counseling, dispute resolution, and service to the legal community.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, McManis Faulkner
• Member, The State Bar of California
• Member, Santa Clara County Bar Association
• Member, Santa Clara County Trial Lawyers Association
• Vice President, San Jose Museum of Art (SJMA) Board of Directors

Licensed State

• California

Education

• University of California, Hastings College of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Stanford University
  Bachelor of Arts

Awards & Badges