William F. Mills
Of Counsel

William F. Mills has specialized knowledge in the areas of personal injury law, product liability law, civil rights, medical malpractice, construction site negligence, complex commercial litigation and automotive liability.

Education

Hope College (B.A. 1968); University of Michigan Law School (J.D. 1974)

Professional Affiliations

• Grand Rapids Bar Association (former Trustee)
• State Bar of Michigan (Fellow, served on numerous committees)
• Elected member of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers (limited to 500 attorneys in the U.S.)
• American College of Trial Lawyers, by invitation only based on trial experience
• American Board of Trial Advocates, by invitation only based on trial experience(Former Michigan Chapter President)
• The American Association for Justice
• Michigan Association for Justice

Awards & Achievements

• Founding Member, Gruel Mills Nims & Pylman PLLC Nims & Pylman, 1985
• Grand Rapids Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year, Michigan Lawyers Weekly, 2010
• Respected Advocate Award, Michigan Defense Trial Counsel, 2009
• Lecturer in the field of trial tactics and procedures.
• Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© since 1995; Lawyer of the Year, Medical Malpractice, 2012 and 2016; Lawyer of the Year, Personal Injury, 2010, 2014, 2021, 2022
• Selected to Michigan Super Lawyers® list
• “AV – Preeminent Lawyer” peer review rating through Martindale Hubbell, the highest rating available for legal ability and integrity
• First Recipient of American Board of Trial Advocates Civility Award, 2016
• Recipient of the Michigan State Bar Outstanding Achievement Award 2015
• Peer selected for inclusion in Leading Lawyers, a listing of the leading lawyers limited to 5 percent of licensed attorneys in the State of Michigan
• Recipient of the Richard Baxter Exemplary Advocate Award 2021
• Battery Executive Officer (Awarded two Purple Hearts)
• Artillery Officer in Vietnam, where he served as a Forward Observer and Firing

Community Service

• Served on the board of Hope Network, which is dedicated in part to people with brain injuries and physical disabilities. Served for 9 years, President for 2
• Served on the board of Holland Home, a facility for the elderly
• Served on board of Heartside Ministries Served on his church board on multiple occasions
• Served on school board for Grand Rapids Christian High School
• Currently serving on the Camp Geneva Board, Vice President
• Volunteers offering Pro Bono legal services to the underserved in the Grand Rapids area