Title: Mediator, Arbitrator, and Independent Panelist
Company: PHILLIPS ADR
Location: Mission Hills, Kansas, United States
William S. Ohlemeyer, Mediator, Arbitrator and Independent Panelist at PHILLIPS ADR and Adjunct Law Lecturer at Columbia University, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Lawyers for dedication, achievements and leadership in Complex Commercial Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Mr. Ohlemeyer has established a notable career in complex commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution over more than 30 years. Currently, he serves as a mediator, arbitrator and independent panelist at PHILLIPS ADR, a leading U.S. mediation group, in Corona del Mar, California, a position he has held since 2023. In this capacity, Mr. Ohlemeyer assists parties in mediating and negotiating to resolve pending or contemplated disputes, reviews materials prepared and exchanged by the parties, and schedules in-person mediation sessions and follows up until resolution is achieved. He is particularly proud of his success in defending complex cases in challenging jurisdictions, which stands as his most significant professional achievement.
In addition to his work at PHILLIPS ADR, Mr. Ohlemeyer has served as an adjunct law lecturer at Columbia University’s law school since 2002. Through this academic role, he has contributed to the education of future legal professionals while remaining actively engaged with developments in legal scholarship.
Mr. Ohlemeyer’s extensive legal background included serving as a partner at Boies Schiller Flexner LLP from 2008 to 2023, where he focused on complex commercial litigation. His tenure at the firm was marked by high-profile representations and leadership within the practice. Mr. Ohlemeyer also served as the vice president and associate general counsel at Altria Group, Inc., one of the world’s largest marketers and producers of tobacco, cigarettes and medical products for the treatment of illnesses caused by tobacco, from 1999 to 2008. In this executive capacity, he managed significant legal matters for nearly a decade.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Ohlemeyer was an associate and later a partner at Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P., a premier litigation firm in the country, from 1987 to 1999. His work there laid the foundation for his reputation as an expert litigator. Mr. Ohlemeyer began his professional journey with two judicial clerkships. The first was with U.S. District Judge Russell Clark for the Western District of Missouri from 1984 to 1985, followed by a second with Chief U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright for the Western District of Missouri between 1985 and 1987.
Mr. Ohlemeyer’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in marketing in 1981 and a Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1984 from the University of Missouri. These academic achievements provided a strong foundation for his business insight and legal acumen. Subsequently, Mr. Ohlemeyer was admitted to practice by the New York, Missouri and Kansas Bar Associations.
A recognized leader in his profession, Mr. Ohlemeyer has been a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers since 2015. He is also an active member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Beyond his professional pursuits, Mr. Ohlemeyer has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to civic engagement and education. He has served on the board of governors for The Little Orchestra Society since 2002, notably serving as its president from 2008 to 2017. He is also an active supporter and volunteer for law school initiatives in Missouri. Previously, Mr. Ohlemeyer contributed as the chair of the buildings and grounds committee and as a member of the board of trustees of the Greenwich Country Day School.
Mr. Ohlemeyer’s accomplishments have been recognized through numerous honors, including induction into the Law Dragon Hall of Fame by Lawdragon Inc. Earlier, he received distinguished alumni awards from the University of Missouri and a Citation of Merit for service to the law school. Mr. Ohlemeyer credits his success to mentors who offered invaluable professional opportunities and to clients who showed patience and resilience, enabling him to help them address their legal challenges. He also attributes his achievements to his curiosity and commitment to lifelong learning. Looking ahead, Mr. Ohlemeyer aims to promote alternative dispute resolution as a more efficient and effective means of resolving disputes, offering an alternative to traditional litigation processes.
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