William H. Chamblee

Mng. Partner

T 214.905.2003

F 214.905.1213

E wchamblee@cr.law

Paralegal: Pamela Salinas

Executive Legal Secretary: Kristian Najera

Overview

Bill Chamblee is a founding partner of Chamblee Ryan and has served as the firm’s President and Managing Partner since its inception.  Bill’s legal practice focuses on civil litigation in a wide variety of areas, including personal injury defense and medical malpractice.  Bill’s experience covers a wide array of industries such as health care, transportation, and insurance.  Bill’s clients range from individuals, to small businesses, to large corporations, all of whom rely on him for national trial defense and legal counseling.  Today, Bill continues to earn the trust and business of numerous new clients to the firm.

Bill’s litigation practice includes nationwide representation of major transportation and retail corporations, as well as Texas-wide representation of insured businesses and individuals practicing in a broad range of industries.  Bill has served as lead counsel in 16 states, tried over 150 cases, and obtained over 130 dismissals and jury verdicts in the course of his career.

Bill also serves as corporate counsel for numerous businesses that operate nationally and in the State of Texas. Bill frequently presents at legal classes and seminars. He has spoken more than 40 times on topics including trial strategy, personal injury claims, and health care reform.  Recently, Bill has been featured in several articles including: D Magazine’s D-CEO article, “Bill Chamblee Rides High;” “Rainmaker Q&A” published by national online news outlet Law360; and in numerous articles published by the Dallas Business Journal.

Bill was born in Hollywood, California and raised in Irving, Texas.  He lives in Keller with his wife Divenna, who is also an attorney at the firm, and their two daughters. Bill and his oldest daughter often spend time together engaging in hunter/jumper horse-related activities.  Before his daughter was born, Bill practiced heading and heeling.  Bill and Divenna are often involved in local charity events as sponsor, producer, or organizer.

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

Obtained a defense verdict in the representation of an OB-GYN in a medical malpractice action through a five-day trial wherein Plaintiffs claimed negligence during the birthing process and sought an award of $1.2 million, including a life care plan valued at nearly $500,000.

Obtained a defense verdict in favor of a gynecologist in a medical malpractice suit wherein Plaintiffs claimed the physician failed to properly clear a patient for surgery and later failed to diagnose a heart attack.  Plaintiffs sought an award of nearly $2 million.

As lead counsel, obtained numerous defense verdicts through the representation of physicians subject to medical malpractice lawsuits with the use of superior trial tactics and construction of an impenetrable defense.

GENERAL LIABILITY / PERSONAL INJURY

As lead counsel, obtained a take-nothing defense verdict on behalf of a Fort Worth restaurant in a multi-fatality dram shop case after a two-and-a-half week trial wherein Plaintiffs sought an award of $10 million.

Obtained a unanimous defense verdict after an eight-day trial regarding a multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 635 in Dallas, Texas wherein Plaintiffs sought more than $2.5 million for economic and non-economic damages, including nearly $1 million in medical bills.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • Texas Motor Transportation Association, Chairman’s Circle
  • Texas Association of Defense Counsel
  • Texas Association of Business, Board of Directors
  • Texas Business Owners’ Council, Charter Member
  • Transportation Lawyers Association
  • Texas Motor Transport Association
  • American Trucking Association
  • American Health Lawyers Association
  • Dallas Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • Fellow of the American Bar Foundation

PERSONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • Many in Need Without Financial Means
  • The Fighting Heart Foundation, Board of Trustees

NEWS

WRITINGS

  • Legal Issues in Health Care Facility Management
  • Internal Revenue Service-Tax Exemptions, Bob Jones University v. United States, 15 St. Mary’s Law Journal 461, 1984
  • Administrative Law Journey Through the Administrative Process and Judicial Review of Administrative Actions, 16 St. Mary’s Law Journal 155, 1984

PRESENTATIONS

  • “The Art of Medical Expert Depositions and Cross-Examination,” National Business Institute, June 19, 2023
  • “Reservation of Rights Letters,” Insurance Claims Group, Quarterly Training Meeting, November 15, 2022
  • “Letters of Deception: The Truth Behind Letters of Protection,” Institutes’ CPCU Society, In2Risk 2022, November 10, 2022
  • “Traumatic Brain Injury Case – How to Defend,” United Fire Group, August 11, 2022
  • “Uncovering the Truth Behind Letters of Protection,” Presented to FCCI Adjusters, March 2021
  • “Fraud and Abuse,” Presented to TMLT, February 2020
  • “Combatting Letters of Protection: The Fraud Revealed,” CE presented to FCCI, August 2019
  • “Examining Stark,” Texas academy of Family Physicians, April 2019
  • “Social Networking and the Law,” Presented to TMLT, November 2018
  • “The World of Veterinary Malpractice Litigation,” Presented to Zurich Insurance, June 2017
  • “Ethics in Handling Liability,” Presented to AIG, April 2017
  • “Cybercrime,” Presented to Argo Insurance, April 2017
  • “Social Networking and the Law,” Collin-Fannin County Medical Society, January 2017
  • “Social Networking and the Law,” Physicians of Medical Center of Alliance, September 2016
  • “Defending a Claim for Malpractice and Board Actions: Defenses, Damages, and Success,” Zurich American Insurance Company, September 2015
  • “Preparing for a Deposition,” Republic Group of Insurance Companies CE, September 2014
  • “ERISA Lien Resolution and Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) Liens,” December 2013
  • “Complex Lien Resolution in Personal Injury Settlements,” National Business Institute, December 2013
  • “Fraud & Abuse in Medical Billing,” Sierra Providence Health Network for the El Paso Medical Society, October 2013
  • “Taking the Power out of Stowers,” American Physicians Insurance, June 2013
  • “Social Networking and the Law,” Fort Bend Medical Society, May 2013
  • “The New Healthcare Reform: What You Need to Know,” Sierra Providence Health Network, May 2013
  • “Investigating and Assessing Economic Damages in the State of Texas and the New Fast-Track Procedures,” April 2013
  • “The New Healthcare Reform: What You Need to Know,” Collin County Medical Society, March 2013
  • “Nonsubscriber Liability and Oversight of a Mobile Workforce,” TXANS 23rd Annual Nonsubscriber Conference & Exhibition, March 2013
  • “The New Healthcare Reform: What You Need to Know,” Hidalgo-Starr County Medical Society, December 2012
  • “The New Healthcare Reform: What You Need to Know,” Hispanic American Medical Association of Houston, Risk Management Seminars, September 2012
  • “Veterinary Liability Policies,” Republic Group of Insurance Companies, Continuing Education, May 2012
  • “New Transportation Regulations: Managing Transportation Risks Effectively,” TXANS 2012 Nonsubscriber Conference & Exhibition, March 21-22, 2012
  • “Ethics in Handling Liability Claims,” Unitrin Specialty Insurance, June 2011
  • “Effective Investigation Through Fact Witnesses,” Republic Group of Insurance Companies, May 2011
  • “Ways to Succeed,” Healthcare Symposium and Product Show, May 2011
  • “Special Questions for Non-Subscribers,” Texas Association of Non-Subscribers Annual Non-subscriber Conference and Exhibition, April 2011
  • “Health Care Reform 2010,” Chamblee & Ryan, P.C. Lunch Lecture Series
  • “Over the Waves: Jury Panel Drama,” TADC Spring Meeting, San Diego, California, April 2010
  • “Legal Issues Affecting Trucking,” TMTA Semi-Annual Safety Seminar Kerrville, Texas, September 2008
  • “Winning Your First Civil Trial,” National Business Institute, November 2007
  • “ADA, FMLA, and Electronic Record Retention,” Texas Association of Non-Subscribers Annual Non-subscriber Conference and Exhibition, April 2007
  • “How to Legally Protect Your Trucking Business,” Chamblee & Ryan Trucking Law Seminar, June 2006
  • “Voir Dire Panel,” TMLT Defense Seminar, April 2006
  • “Maintaining Driver Personnel History Files,” Chamblee & Ryan Trucking Law Seminar, July 2005
  • “First Response to a Trucking Accident: Protecting Your Trucking Company from Litigation,” Chamblee & Ryan Trucking Law Seminar, July 2005
  • “Protecting Business Internet with Non-Compete Agreement,” Chamblee & Ryan Employment Seminar, April 2005
  • “At Will Employment,” Chamblee & Ryan Employment Seminar, April 2005
  • “Retaliation Claims Under the Americans with Disabilities Act,” Chamblee & Ryan Employment Seminar, April 2005
  • “Winning and Succeeding in Voir Dire,” Texas Association of Defense Counsel, April 2005
  • “Legal Issues in Health Care Facility Management,” Texas Association of Health Care Facility Managers, Annual Interlink 2004 Conference, April 2004
  • “Texas Claims Handling Seminar,” March 2004
  • “What Being a Non-subscriber in Texas is all About,” 2003
  • “Premises Liability in Texas,” June 2000

 

Education

St. Mary’s University School of Law

  • JD, 1985

Texas Tech University

  • BBA, 1982, Finance
  • Dean’s List

Admissions

Texas

United States Court of Appeals

  • 5th Circuit

United States District Court

  • Northern, Eastern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas
  • Eastern District of Wisconsin

Honors

  • Fellow, American Bar Foundation, 2024
  • Best Lawyers in America, 2019-2025
  • Texas Super Lawyers, 2005-2024, Thomson Reuters
  • Best Lawyers in Dallas: Tort, Product, & Medical Liability Litigation (Defense), 2014-2018, D Magazine
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating
  • Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, 2022
  • Americas Most Honored Lawyers – Top 10%, 2022