Bill Geraghty is a trial lawyer whose focus is complex litigation. He has served as lead trial lawyer in many lengthy and difficult civil trials in both state and federal court. He has successfully defended several Fortune 500 companies in high-stakes commercial and products liability cases in which plaintiffs were seeking tens of millions of dollars in both compensatory and punitive damages.

Most recently, Bill has spearheaded the defense of Philip Morris USA in thousands of so-called “Engle-progeny” cases filed throughout Florida. He has won defense verdicts for Philip Morris in six trials, in places as diverse as Miami, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, St. Petersburg, and Green Cove Springs.

His courtroom victories contributed to The American Lawyer naming Shook, Hardy & Bacon as the “Products Liability Law Firm of the Year” for 2012. Based on these efforts, Bill has been described by Chambers USA as "intellectual, client-friendly and a superb trial lawyer." He has also been included in Florida Legal Elite 2012; Florida Super Lawyers 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012; the 2012 edition of The Legal 500 United States; and the 2013 South Florida Legal Guide’s listings of “Top Lawyers.”

In addition, Bill serves as the managing partner of the firm’s Miami office, its largest location outside of Kansas City. In this capacity, he oversees the representation of firm clients across several practice areas, including global product liability litigation, pharmaceutical and medical device cases, environmental suits, toxic tort litigation, and class action litigation. He also manages the day-to-day affairs of the office and directs its marketing and business development efforts.

Representative Trials

Hancock v. Philip Morris USA Inc., Circuit Court for Broward County (2012). Cigarette products liability claim for compensatory and punitive damages – Defense verdict.

McCray v. Philip Morris USA Inc., U.S. District Court for Middle District of Florida (Jacksonville Division) (2012). Cigarette products liability claim for compensatory and punitive damages – Defense verdict.

Hallgren v. Philip Morris USA Inc., Circuit Court for Highlands County (2012). Cigarette products liability claim for compensatory and punitive damages.

Junious v. Philip Morris USA Inc., Circuit Court for Miami-Dade County (2011). Cigarette products liability claim for compensatory and punitive damages – Defense verdict.

Oliva v. Philip Morris USA Inc., Circuit Court for Clay County (2011). Cigarette products liability claim for compensatory and punitive damages – Defense verdict.

Frazier v. Philip Morris USA Inc., Circuit Court for Miami-Dade County (2010). Cigarette products liability claim for compensatory and punitive damages – Defense verdict.

Douglas v. Philip Morris USA Inc., Circuit Court for Hillsborough County (2010). Cigarette products liability claim for compensatory and punitive damages.

Barbanell v. Philip Morris USA Inc., Circuit Court for Broward County (2009). Cigarette products liability claim for compensatory and punitive damages – Appellate court reversed and entered judgment for defendant based on jury verdict.

Gelep v. Philip Morris USA Inc., Circuit Court for Pinellas County (2009). Cigarette products liability claim for compensatory damages – Defense verdict.

Bill is a member of The Florida Bar and the American Bar Association.

Bill is admitted to practice before the state courts of Florida, the District of Columbia and Maryland. He is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida and the District of Maryland.

1993   J.D., cum laude, Georgetown University Law Center

1989   B.A., cum laude, Duke University