William J. Cornwell

William J. Cornwell is a partner at Weiss, Handler & Cornwell, P.A. in Boca Raton, Florida, where he leads the firm’s civil trial and litigation sections. With more than 25 years of experience handling complex civil matters, Cornwell represents individuals, businesses, institutions, and municipal organizations. His practice includes complex litigation, class actions, construction disputes, product liability, negligence claims, professional liability, and trial work in significant contested matters.

Cornwell earned his J.D. from Georgia State University College of Law in 1985, where he was a member of the Moot Court Society and served as president of the Student Bar Association. He received his B.B.A. from Georgia State University in 1982. His legal education and decades of courtroom experience provide a foundation for evaluating complicated factual records, preparing litigation strategies, presenting cases to juries, and advising clients facing substantial potential exposure.

Cornwell has obtained major verdicts and settlements for plaintiffs while also successfully defending businesses, institutions, and governmental organizations. His representative results include an $11 million product liability verdict against Volkswagen and a verdict exceeding $4.2 million in a construction defect case. He has also defended entities including the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office and Florida municipalities. His practice further includes professional negligence claims and appellate and class action matters involving commercial, construction, and tort issues.

William J. Cornwell is admitted in Florida and Georgia and before several federal courts, including the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. He belongs to The Florida Bar, the State Bar of Georgia, and the American Bar Association. His background in plaintiff and defense litigation gives him experience evaluating disputes from multiple perspectives, while his extensive trial practice supports practical guidance on settlement strategy, liability, damages, and courtroom preparation.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Weiss, Handler & Cornwell, P.A.
• Member, State Bar of Georgia
• Member, Florida Bar
• Member, American Bar Association

Licensed State

• Georgia
• Florida

Education

• Georgia State University College of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Georgia State University
  Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

Awards & Badges