Skip to Main Content
William Purnell

William Purnell

Partner

301 S. College Street
23rd Floor
Charlotte, NC 28202
T 704.417.3007
william.purnell@nelsonmullins.com
Send Email to William Purnell Download vCard for William Purnell Download PDF View Headshot

Will assists clients in defining, assessing, minimizing risks and providing proactive counsel to help clients avoid claims. He is particularly skilled at advising clients considering acquiring assets with legacy liabilities by assessing costs associated with current and future tort claims and using historical data and industry sector’s risk profile to evaluate potential outcomes.    

Will provides...

Will assists clients in defining, assessing, minimizing risks and providing proactive counsel to help clients avoid claims. He is particularly skilled at advising clients considering acquiring assets with legacy liabilities by assessing costs associated with current and future tort claims and using historical data and industry sector’s risk profile to evaluate potential outcomes.    

Will provides essential legal guidance for manufacturers in industries such as consumer products, heavy construction equipment, and environmental services. Given the diverse nature of these sectors, his practice involves navigating complex legal issues related to commercial and product liability, toxic torts, multiparty product liability claims, and environmental claims. Beyond litigation, Will’s practice includes supporting business clients and financial institutions by developing and implementing strong internal processes for managing and addressing claims as they come in to mitigate economic exposure.

With extensive experience in commercial and bankruptcy litigation, e-discovery, personal injury cases, and product liability—including mass torts, premises liability, environmental claims, and class actions—Will provides strategic counsel to C-suite executives and insurers on global risk management and legal spending. He has a proven track record in arbitration, mediation, and settlement negotiations, both in North America and internationally.

William Purnell

essential legal guidance for manufacturers in industries such as consumer products, heavy construction equipment, and environmental services. Given the diverse nature of these sectors, his practice involves navigating complex legal issues related to commercial and product liability, toxic torts, multiparty product liability claims, and environmental claims. Beyond litigation, Will’s practice includes supporting business clients and financial institutions by developing and implementing strong internal processes for managing and addressing claims as they come in to mitigate economic exposure.

With extensive experience in commercial and bankruptcy litigation, e-discovery, personal injury cases, and product liability—including mass torts, premises liability, environmental claims, and class actions—Will provides strategic counsel to C-suite executives and insurers on global risk management and legal spending. He has a proven track record in arbitration, mediation, and settlement negotiations, both in North America and internationally.

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Previous Professional Experience

  • Partner, Phoenix office of a national law firm (2024–2025)
  • Partner, Product liability firm (2021–2024)
  • Assistant General Counsel, SPX Corporation (2019–2021)
  • Assistant General Counsel, Ingersoll Rand Company (2015–2019)
  • Corporate Counsel, Caterpillar Inc. (2008–2015)
  • Associate, Louisville-based boutique firm (2007–2008)
  • Associate, Mississippi-based boutique firm (2004–2007)
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Previous Professional Experience

  • Partner, Phoenix office of a national law firm (2024–2025)
  • Partner, Product liability firm (2021–2024)
  • Assistant General Counsel, SPX Corporation (2019–2021)
  • Assistant General Counsel, Ingersoll Rand Company (2015–2019)
  • Corporate Counsel, Caterpillar Inc. (2008–2015)
  • Associate, Louisville-based boutique firm (2007–2008)
  • Associate, Mississippi-based boutique firm (2004–2007)

Media

Visit Insights

Recognitions

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

  • The Legal 500, Litigation: Product Liability Defense, Toxic Tort (2022–2023)
  • The National Black Lawyers Association, Top 100 (2021–2023)
  • Lawyers of Color, Nation’s Best Honoree (2019)
     

Professional Activities

  • International Association of Defense Counsel
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Membership Committee, Product Liability Advisory Council 
  • The National Black Lawyers Association
     

Community

  • Fresh Start Men’s Board Member 

Will assists clients in defining, assessing, minimizing risks and providing proactive counsel to help clients avoid claims. He is particularly skilled at advising clients considering acquiring assets with legacy liabilities by assessing costs associated with current and future tort claims and using historical data and industry sector’s risk profile to evaluate potential outcomes.    

Will provides... essential legal guidance for manufacturers in industries such as consumer products, heavy construction equipment, and environmental services. Given the diverse nature of these sectors, his practice involves navigating complex legal issues related to commercial and product liability, toxic torts, multiparty product liability claims, and environmental claims. Beyond litigation, Will’s practice includes supporting business clients and financial institutions by developing and implementing strong internal processes for managing and addressing claims as they come in to mitigate economic exposure.

With extensive experience in commercial and bankruptcy litigation, e-discovery, personal injury cases, and product liability—including mass torts, premises liability, environmental claims, and class actions—Will provides strategic counsel to C-suite executives and insurers on global risk management and legal spending. He has a proven track record in arbitration, mediation, and settlement negotiations, both in North America and internationally.

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Previous Professional Experience

  • Partner, Phoenix office of a national law firm (2024–2025)
  • Partner, Product liability firm (2021–2024)
  • Assistant General Counsel, SPX Corporation (2019–2021)
  • Assistant General Counsel, Ingersoll Rand Company (2015–2019)
  • Corporate Counsel, Caterpillar Inc. (2008–2015)
  • Associate, Louisville-based boutique firm (2007–2008)
  • Associate, Mississippi-based boutique firm (2004–2007)

Education

  • Vanderbilt University Law School, JD (2003)
  • Tougaloo College, BA (2000)

Admissions

  • Arizona
  • Mississippi
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona

Practice Areas

Industries

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

  • The Legal 500, Litigation: Product Liability Defense, Toxic Tort (2022–2023)
  • The National Black Lawyers Association, Top 100 (2021–2023)
  • Lawyers of Color, Nation’s Best Honoree (2019)
     
  • International Association of Defense Counsel
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Membership Committee, Product Liability Advisory Council 
  • The National Black Lawyers Association
     
  • Fresh Start Men’s Board Member