Kenneth P. Williams
Member
Kenneth is a Member at BMD whose practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, insurance coverage matters, and product liability defense. He represents corporations, insurance carriers, and other clients in coverage, property, product liability, employment, and civil rights litigation in state and federal courts throughout the country.
Contact Information
Practice Areas
Education
Wayne State University Law School, J.D.
University of Michigan, B.A., English & Political Science
Overview
With extensive trial experience in state and federal courts, Kenneth has defended corporations in complex coverage, property, product liability, and commercial litigation matters. He represents insurance carriers and individual corporations in coverage and personal injury litigation and also handles employment discrimination cases. His practice additionally includes the defense of civil rights and wrongful death claims brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against law enforcement officers, correctional staff, and municipal entities, including allegations of constitutional violations, inadequate medical care, and institutional liability.
Kenneth's experience includes a diverse civil jury trial practice in Michigan, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Texas. In addition to his litigation practice, he advises insurers on cybersecurity coverage matters, provides counsel on a range of insurance coverage issues, and represents clients in rideshare liability, bad faith, and declaratory relief actions involving general liability, homeowner, automobile, and errors and omissions policies.
Kenneth is regularly consulted on current and emerging industry trends, technology, standards, best practices, and risk management and compliance issues. He is also a national conference speaker for insurance and casualty organizations and has spoken throughout the United States on litigation-related matters and best practices for insurance carriers and claims representatives.
In addition to his work as an advocate, Kenneth has served as an arbitrator and mediator through appointments from courts and private counsel. Earlier in his career, he gained significant appellate experience, including post-appellate submission work that required oral argument before the Michigan Court of Appeals. He also previously served as a managing attorney for a national insurance carrier.
Representative Matters
- Achieved reduced damages verdict related to an auto accident where the Plaintiff requested $2,720,000 for the Plaintiff’s damages and $1,050,000 for the additional loss of consortium claim. The Jury returned a verdict of $60,000.
- Achieved a full defense verdict in Oakland County Circuit Court in a case involving a plaintiff who alleged severe injuries and permanent disability resulting from a fall at a commercial establishment. The plaintiff requested more than $6 million in damages. The jury deliberated for under an hour before returning a unanimous defense verdict, rejecting all claims of negligence.
- Obtained a favorable defense verdict in Orange County, Florida, where the plaintiff sought $30 million in damages related to a fatal shooting at a commercial property. After a two-week trial and just two hours of deliberation, the jury returned a complete defense verdict on all counts, finding no liability on the part of the defendant property owner.
Courts & Bar Associations
- Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
- American Bar Association
Professional & Civic Affiliations
- Christian Legal Aid of Southeast Michigan
- DRI, Diversity & Inclusion Committee
- Fellows of the American Bar Association
- Michigan Center for Civic Education, high school mock trial volunteer
- The National Black Lawyers
- Wayne State University Black Alumni Council
- Wayne State University, mock trial judge
Professional Honors & Awards
- Michigan Leading Lawyers (2019-present)
- The National Black Lawyers Top 100 (2021-present)
- Lawyers of Color, Law Firm Leaders list (2022)
- Lawyer of Distinction (2019)
- Top-Rated Lawyer in Business, DBusiness Magazine (2019)
Presentations & Publications
- Autonomous Vehicle: Liability and Coverage Issues, PLRB Claims Conference (2026)
- Avoiding Nuclear Verdicts and Social Inflation: Practical Tips, PLRB Claims Conference (2026)
- Autonomous Vehicle Litigation, PropertyCasualty360 Complex Claims and Litigation Forum (2026)
- Autonomous Vehicle: Liability and Coverage Issues/ADAS Litigation, ABA Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee CLE Seminar (2026)
- Navigating Liability and Litigation in the Driverless Era, Beverly Hills Bar Association (2025)
- Defending Brain Injury Cases: Measuring Loss of Function, Strafford/Barbri (2025)
- The Litigation of Brain Injury Claims, PLRB Western Regional Adjusters Conference (2025)
- The New Expansion of Homeowners Insurance Liability Coverage, PLRB Western Regional Adjusters Conference (2025)
- Autonomous Vehicle: Liability and Coverage Issues, CLM Annual Conference (2025)
- Autonomous Vehicle/ADAS Litigation, PLRB Claims Conference (2025)
- Share the Road, Share the… Data? Navigating Smart Cars & Liability, ALM 2025 Complex Claims and Litigation Forum (2025)
- Practice Tips to Avoid a Nuclear Outcome in All Phases of Litigation, DRI Insurance Coverage and Practice Symposium (2024)
- Expanding Horizons: The New Era of Homeowners Insurance Liability Coverage, CLM Focus Conference (2024)
- Unlocking the Power of Diversity: Elevating Equity, Inclusion, and Success in the Legal Profession, The Knowledge Group (2024)
- Rise of the Machines: Autonomous Vehicles Liability and Coverage Issues, CLM Annual Conference (2024)
- Autonomous Vehicles: Liability & Coverage Issues, PLRB 2024 Claims Conference & Insurance Expo (2024)
- Driving Disruptors: A Crash Course in the Complex Challenges of Autonomous and Electric Vehicles, ALM Complex Claims & Litigation Forum (2024)
- Who’s Driving Now: Autonomous Vehicle Liability and Coverage Issues, CLM Spotlight: Transportation Session (2023)
- Homeowners Liability Coverage: Emerging Issues, Property & Liability Resources Bureau Claims Western Regional Adjusters Conference (2023)
- Countering Fraud Risks in the Insurance Industry: A Blueprint for Your Business, The Knowledge Group (2023)
- The Defense and Litigation of Traumatic Brain Injury Claims, 2023 Work Comp, Casualty & Risk Management Conference (2023)
- Autonomous Vehicle Liability and Coverage Issues, Property & Liability Resources Bureau Claims Conference Insurance Services Expo (2023)
- Discovery Toolbox for the Defense Practitioner, DRI Sexual Torts Seminar (2023)
- The Defense and Litigation of Traumatic Brain Injury Claims, Eastern Regional Adjusters Conference, Property & Liability Resources Bureau (2022)
- Handling Insurance Bad Faith Claims: Red Flags to Watch Out For, Webcast Panelist, The Knowledge Group (2022)
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Legal World: Key Strategies to Address Equity Challenges, Webcast Panelist, The Knowledge Group (2022)
- How to Effectively Prevent Bad Faith Claims: Critical Considerations for Insurers Explored, Webcast Panelist, The Knowledge Group (2022)
- The Forgotten Impact of Cannabis Legalization: Workers’ Compensation, CLM Annual Conference (2022)
- How to Effectively Handle Depositions in Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Litigation: A Practical Guide, Webcast Panelist, The Knowledge Group (2021)
- PLRB Eastern Regional Adjusters Conference (2020)
- PLRB Central Regional Adjusters Conference (2020)
- PLRB Eastern Regional Adjusters Conference (2019)
- PLRB Central Regional Adjusters Conference (2019)
- PLRB Central Regional Adjusters Conference (2018)
- PLRB Homeowners Liability Coverage: Current Trends Webinar (2018)
- PLRB Western Regional Adjusters Conference (2018)