Joseph N. Williams - Riley Williams & Piatt, LLC

Joseph N. Williams

Joe is a trial lawyer who has recovered more than $20,000,000.00 for the victims of negligence and corporate misconduct. Along with his two partners, Joe battled State Farm in a six-week jury trial. State Farm had accused Joe’s client of committing wide-spread insurance fraud, which resulted in the client being charged with fourteen felony counts. The lawyers at RWP spent six weeks demonstrating that State Farm withheld or altered any evidence that demonstrated the client’s innocence. Joe gave the closing arguments, arming the jury with the information they needed to return the largest defamation verdict in Indiana history.

While Joe is most passionate about holding corporate America responsible for its behavior... he handles all types of trial work, ranging anywhere from personal injury to complex business disputes to product liability. Joe also devotes a portion of his practice to protecting consumers through statewide and nationwide class action and mass tort litigation. Joe has successfully handled all aspects of class certification, including the briefing, arguing, and obtaining of class certification in the trial court, and protecting a successful class certification decision in the Court of Appeals and state Supreme Court.

Awards, Distinctions & Honors

• Best Lawyers, 2017-Present


• 2013 Max Goodwin Young Trial Lawyer of the Year


• Indiana Super Lawyers Rising Stars - 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014


• 2004 Tennessee Bar Association Access to Justice Law Student of the Year Award

Joe received his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School, where he was awarded the Tennessee Bar Association’s Access to Justice Law Student of the Year in 2004 for his dedication to the legal issues confronted by those in need. He was honored with selection to the Indiana Super Lawyers’ Rising Stars in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014, a designation that recognizes the top up-and-coming attorneys in the state. Joe was also awarded the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association's Max Goodwin Young Lawyer Award in 2013, which recognized his outstanding dedication to protecting the rights of the injured.

Speaking Engagements

• Joe is a frequent speaker at continuing education events, having lectured on topics such as insurance bad faith and discovery in complex pharmaceutical litigation.

Memberships & Associations

• Indiana Trial Lawyers Association


• Indiana State Bar Association