He has been active in the Atlanta Bar Association for many years, and has served as Second Vice President and as Secretary. His involvement also includes Chair and Vice-Chair of the Continuing Legal Education Board of Trustees, Chair of the Litigation Section, Co-Chair of the Member Benefits Committee, Co-Chair of the Lawyer Referral & Information Service, Chair of the Pro Bono Committee and a member of the Atlanta Bar Executive Committee and Board of Directors.

“I am proud of the work done by the Atlanta Bar Association, both inside and outside the legal community,” said Ragland. “It will be exciting to help out on a number of new projects under the leadership of Wade Malone, the Bar’s newly installed President.”

Ragland’s trial and counseling practice focuses on disputes regarding patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade dress, trade secrets, internet and e-commerce, intellectual property and technology licenses, co-development of technology, noncompetition, false advertising, unfair competition and on insurance coverage for intellectual property disputes. He also has substantial experience litigating a wide variety of other types of business disputes, including those involving commercial contracts, partnerships and closely held companies, defamation and real estate matters. He has tried cases before juries and judges in numerous jurisdictions and has successfully represented clients in cases of national importance.

As a noted technology lawyer, Ragland provides strategic advice regarding the structure, negotiation and implementation of intellectual property licensing and enforcement programs and portfolio management services. He was recently featured in Corporate Counsel magazine, IP Law & Business magazine and in Business to Business magazine regarding leaders in innovative intellectual property enforcement and licensing programs. Ragland has assisted numerous companies in maximizing the value of their intellectual property and technology assets. His clients have included numerous computer/software, telecommunications and other high technology companies, biotechnology and life sciences companies, major oil, chemical and manufacturing companies, as well as major record, music and entertainment companies and well known entertainers. Ragland assists in designing growth strategies and efficient representation for emerging companies and entrepreneurial ventures.

Ragland joined Hunton & Williams earlier this year from Powell, Goldstein, Frazer & Murphy, where he served as chair of that firm’s technology & intellectual property litigation group. “We were thrilled to attract Bill to Hunton & Williams in April, not only because he is a brilliant lawyer, but also because he is dedicated to his profession and his fellow citizens,” said Kurt Powell, managing partner of Hunton & Williams’ Atlanta office. He added, “Through his work with the Atlanta Bar Association, Bill truly exemplifies one of our firm’s essential core values—community service.”

Ragland joins a legion of Hunton & Williams’ attorneys, who have a history of strong bar leadership. In addition to Ragland’s involvement, Rita Sheffey, counsel to the firm, serves on the Atlanta Bar’s Board of Directors. On the national front, Robert Grey, a partner in the firm’s Richmond, Virginia, office was elected President-Elect of the American Bar Association earlier this year, and will be sworn in as President during the 2004 convention in Atlanta. Grey will reach that summit 40 years after another Hunton & Williams partner, Hon. Lewis F. Powell, held the same position. Years before his appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court, Justice Powell served as ABA President from 1964-65.