A new personal injury firm will soon be opening in Houston, helmed by a civil defense pro.
William R. Moye, who for 20 years has practiced at Thompson, Coe, Cousins & Irons where he focused on defending complex casualty claims, will be leaving the firm at the end of the month to launch Moye Law Firm.
“I love trying cases and have always been passionate about being able to advocate for my clients,” Moye said. “For 20 years, my work at Thompson Coe has allowed me to do just that, and I could not be more grateful. But now I’m ready to get to work for plaintiffs dealing with catastrophic personal injury cases.”
Moye’s last day at Thompson Coe will be Feb. 29 and Moye Law Firm is slated to open March 1. In an interview with The Lawbook Friday afternoon, Moye said he loved Thompson Coe and the colleagues and friends he worked alongside there, but that the timing was right to make this move after letting the idea “percolate” for the last couple of years.
“I appreciate the uniqueness of someone in management of a large law firm with a reputation in the industry who decided to make a career move that’s abrupt and I acknowledge it’s abrupt,” he said. “But I’m looking forward to it. We’re going to have a lot of fun and try some cases.”
The chair of Thompson Coe’s management committee, Shawn Phelan, wished Moye well in a statement.
“Those who have had the privilege to work with Will know how much of an impact he has had on our firm,” he said. “We are grateful for the time and dedication he has devoted to Thompson Coe, and we are all better for having had the opportunity to work beside him.”
During his career, Moye has represented Ford Motor Co., Pep Boys Inc., Michelin North American Tire, Chevron, Chevron Phillips Petroleum Co., Shell, Anadarko and Valero. He’s defended Ford in multidistrict litigation proceedings, has defended engineers against professional negligence claims, and has served as defense liaison counsel in several MDLs related to chemical plant explosions.
Initially, Moye said plans are to partner with other plaintiffs lawyers on existing cases, but in the future he hopes to be busy enough to hire lawyers to join his new firm.
“I have received a robust reception from the local bar here,” he said of the partnership opportunities where his experience handling high stake litigation in the courtroom will prove valuable.
“The courthouse is a better place to be than the desk and I think there’s some opportunity to do that more frequently,” he said of his new role.
Moye received a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Marquette University in 1997 and is a 2000 graduate of the Seton Hall University School of Law.