Danielle Williams - Winston & Strawn LLP

In the complex world of high-stakes business and intellectual property litigation, where the outcomes can profoundly impact companies and their innovations, having a truly exceptional legal advocate is not just an advantage—it's a necessity. For businesses and corporations across North Carolina, particularly within the thriving financial and technological hub of Charlotte, the need for top-tier legal counsel to navigate intricate disputes is ever-present. This critical demand is met by highly experienced professionals like Danielle Williams, the Managing Partner of Winston & Strawn LLP's Charlotte office.

With 25 years of extensive experience, Danielle Williams has established herself as a formidable force in business litigation. She specializes in handling significant, high-profile disputes for both publicly traded and privately held companies, often involving substantial financial damages. Her career is marked by a history of representing clients in federal and state courts nationwide, as well as in various arbitrations, showcasing her broad reach and deep understanding of complex legal challenges. For any enterprise in North Carolina facing a critical legal battle, Danielle Williams brings a rare combination of expertise, strategic insight, and a proven track record.

For a law firm catering to high-level corporate and business clients, a strategic and accessible location is paramount. Winston & Strawn LLP's Charlotte office, where Danielle Williams serves as Managing Partner, is prominently situated at 300 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202, USA. This address places the firm in the absolute heart of Charlotte's bustling financial and business district.

The location on South Tryon Street ensures excellent accessibility for clients from across Mecklenburg County and wider North Carolina. This area is a central hub for major corporations and financial institutions, making it a convenient meeting point for business leaders. The building is well-served by Charlotte's public transportation system, including the LYNX light rail and numerous bus routes, providing easy access for those utilizing public transit. For clients arriving by car, there are numerous parking garages within immediate proximity, offering convenient options for scheduled meetings. The prestigious address itself reflects the caliber of clients the firm serves and its significant presence in North Carolina's commercial landscape.

Danielle Williams, as Co-Chair of Winston & Strawn's Intellectual Property Practice and Managing Partner of the Charlotte office, focuses on complex, high-stakes business litigation. Her expertise and the broader capabilities of Winston & Strawn LLP in Charlotte encompass a wide array of sophisticated legal services, including:

• Intellectual Property Litigation: A core area of Danielle's practice, this includes patent infringement, trade secret misappropriation, and copyright infringement cases. Her patent litigation experience spans diverse technologies and industries such as financial services, high tech, semiconductors, telecommunications, software, mobile applications, and consumer products. She has handled cases in top patent litigation courts across the country.
• Commercial Litigation & Disputes: Representing publicly traded and privately held companies in significant, high-profile disputes involving substantial damages demands. This broad category includes breach of contract, antitrust, and environmental matters.
• Appellate & Critical Motions: Danielle has first-chaired, led, and consulted in numerous litigations across multiple venues, including federal circuit courts of appeals (e.g., Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, 3rd Circuit, 11th Circuit).
• Trade Secrets, Non-Competes & Restrictive Covenants: Assisting clients in protecting their proprietary information and enforcing or defending against restrictive covenant claims.
• Technology Antitrust: Addressing legal challenges at the intersection of technology and antitrust law.
• ITC (International Trade Commission) – Section 337 Investigations: Handling complex intellectual property disputes before the ITC, which often involve import-related intellectual property infringements.
• IP Licensing & Due Diligence: Providing counsel on intellectual property licensing agreements and conducting due diligence for transactions involving significant IP assets.
• Financial Services Litigation: Given Charlotte's status as a major financial center, the firm also provides legal services to top financial services companies, aligning with Danielle's experience in that sector.
• Technology, Media & Telecommunications: Advising clients in these dynamic industries on various legal matters.
• Cryptocurrencies, Digital Assets & Blockchain Technology: Staying at the forefront of emerging legal areas related to digital assets.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): Offering insights and legal counsel on the evolving landscape of AI technologies.

The breadth of these services, particularly in complex litigation and intellectual property, underscores the firm's capacity to serve the sophisticated needs of businesses operating in North Carolina and beyond.

Danielle Williams and Winston & Strawn LLP are characterized by several significant features and highlights that make them a prominent choice for complex legal needs in North Carolina:

• Leadership and Extensive Experience: Danielle Williams is the Managing Partner of Winston's Charlotte office and Co-Chair of the firm's Intellectual Property Practice. With 25 years of experience, she is recognized for handling high-stakes business litigation.
• Highly Recognized and Awarded: She is consistently recognized as a leading lawyer in prestigious industry publications. She has been ranked in The Best Lawyers in America© for Commercial Litigation and Intellectual Property Litigation since 2016 and Patent Litigation since 2017. Other recognitions include "Women in Business Award" (Charlotte Business Journal, 2025), "Managing Partner of the Year" (Corporate Counsel's Women, Influence and Power in Law, 2024), and inclusion in IAM Patent 1000 (2022–2025) and IAM Global Leader (2024–2025). She is also a member of the North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society (2016–2018, 2020).
• Broad Litigation Reach: Danielle has represented clients in federal and state courts across the country and in international arbitrations (ICC and AAA), demonstrating her capacity to handle disputes in diverse jurisdictions.
• Thought Leadership: She regularly writes and speaks on key legal topics, including patent damages, patent litigation trends, and issues related to AI and digital assets. She is also a co-founder and editor of the WacoWatch Blog and an editor of Winston's Federal Circuit Blog, showcasing her influence and insights in the IP legal community.
• Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: Winston & Strawn has received numerous recognitions for its DEI initiatives, including Mansfield Certification Plus status, a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index for 16 consecutive years, and being named among Seramount's "50 Best Law Firms for Women & Diversity." This commitment extends to the Charlotte office, which strives for an inclusive work environment.
• Strong Pro Bono Commitment: Winston & Strawn has a robust pro bono program, with the Charlotte office actively participating in initiatives like the Charlotte Triage Pro Bono Partnership, providing legal services to vulnerable community members in areas like housing/eviction defense, human trafficking, and criminal record expunctions. Danielle Williams herself is noted for pro bono work.
• Global Resources, Local Expertise: As an international law firm with nearly 1,000 lawyers and offices worldwide, Winston & Strawn brings global resources and sophisticated legal strategies, while the Charlotte office maintains a strong understanding of local market dynamics.

As a top-tier international law firm specializing in high-stakes business and intellectual property litigation, Winston & Strawn LLP, and by extension, legal professionals like Danielle Williams, do not typically offer "promotions" or "special offers" in the consumer-oriented sense. The legal services provided are highly complex, customized, and tailored to the intricate needs of corporate and institutional clients. Fees are structured based on the significant expertise, extensive resources, and considerable time required to handle such substantial legal matters.

However, for prospective corporate clients or in specific circumstances, initial consultations may be arranged to discuss the scope of legal needs, the firm's capabilities, and potential engagement terms. Businesses and legal departments in North Carolina seeking counsel from Danielle Williams or Winston & Strawn are encouraged to contact the Charlotte office directly to inquire about their processes for new client engagements.

To connect with Danielle Williams and the team at Winston & Strawn LLP's Charlotte office for high-stakes business and intellectual property litigation needs, please use the following contact details:

• Address: 300 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202, USA
• Phone: (704) 350-7790

When contacting the office, it is advisable for prospective clients to be prepared with a concise overview of their legal challenges to facilitate an efficient initial discussion and ensure their inquiry is directed to the most appropriate legal team.

For businesses, corporations, and innovative enterprises across North Carolina, particularly those in Charlotte and the wider Mecklenburg County area, Danielle Williams and Winston & Strawn LLP represent an exceptionally suitable and powerful legal resource. Her role as Managing Partner of the Charlotte office and Co-Chair of the firm's Intellectual Property Practice signifies a deep local commitment backed by global legal prowess.

The firm's strategic location in the heart of Charlotte's financial district ensures convenient access for corporate clients. More importantly, Danielle Williams' extensive experience and celebrated expertise in high-stakes business and intellectual property litigation directly address the critical legal needs of a thriving business ecosystem like North Carolina's. For companies dealing with complex patent infringement issues, trade secret disputes, or significant commercial litigation, the proven track record, thought leadership, and vast resources available through Winston & Strawn are invaluable. Coupled with the firm's strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and pro bono service within the local community, Danielle Williams and her team offer a compelling choice for North Carolinian businesses seeking the highest echelon of legal representation to protect their interests and propel their success.