Richard K. Willard

Partner

• rwillard@steptoe.com
• vCard
• Washington Office

Richard K. Willard is a partner in the Washington office of Steptoe & Johnson LLP. He is a member of the Litigation Department.

Mr. Willard's practice involves corporate counseling and litigation of cases raising public policy concerns. He has served as lead counsel in complex litigation involving multiple claims, parties, and jurisdictions. He has frequently appeared in trial and appellate courts around the country, including six arguments in the Supreme Court.

He has also served as senior vice president and general counsel for Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and Gillette Company, where he led large worldwide legal departments, advised on strategic transactions, and enabled launch of new products with strong intellectual property protection.

During the Reagan Administration, he served as Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Civil Division, the largest litigation division of the US Department of Justice. There, he chaired the Reagan Administration's Tort Policy Working Group and developed its proposals for reforming civil litigation, workplace drug testing, and preventing unauthorized disclosure of classified information.

Noteworthy

• Adjunct Professor, "Corporate Governance," Boston University Law School, 2002-2005
• Adjunct Professor, "Tort Law and Public Policy," Georgetown University Law Center, 1991-1996
• Steptoe Obtains Preemption Victory In Michigan Supreme Court

Professional Affiliations

• American Academy of Appellate Lawyers
• American Bar Association
• Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies
• National Judicial College
• National Legal Center for the Public Interest
• Washington Legal Foundation