Overview
Bill, in speaking of his plaintiffs personal injury clients, says, "I have sat in the living room of parents as they shared the tragic circumstances of their teenage daughter’s death, watched as a physical therapist coaxed a neurologically impaired child to feed herself, listened to a young boy describe horrific abuse at the hands of a caregiver, and counseled a young mother diagnosed with terminal cancer as she made plans for her children." In the face of such tragedy, these people have displayed both great strength and extreme vulnerability, especially when confronted by an increasingly complex legal system.
"These people, our clients, turn to us to protect their rights and interests. We, in turn, support them with a team of professionals that not only includes experienced litigators, but also legal nurse consultants, trained paralegals, and legal assistants. Through hard work, compassion, and an unwavering commitment, we serve our clients in their time of need."
"We have tried and settled many different kinds of medical malpractice and serious personal injury cases, including cases involving, for example, babies injured during childbirth, orthopedic injuries, delayed diagnosis of cancer, surgical errors, traumatic brain injuries, wrongful death, and those injured in accidents. We handle these types of cases in both New Jersey and New York."
In addition to representing victims of serious personal injuries, Bill also counsels attorneys in respect to issues of legal ethics. Given his experience as former chair of the District X attorney ethics committee, multiple appointments by the New Jersey Supreme Court to serve as a Special Ethics Master and Hearing Chair, and as a speaker at seminars addressing attorney ethics, Bill can both counsel attorneys to avoid ethics transgressions and represent them when faced with an ethics grievance or complaint.
Recognition
- New Jersey Super Lawyers® (2012-2024)
- Top 100 (2015, 2017 - 2018)
- The Best Lawyers in America® – Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs (2014-2025); Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs (2015-2025)
- Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney
- New Jersey Commission on Professionalism in the Law - Professional Lawyer of the Year, Morris County (2021)
Memberships
American College of Trial Lawyers - Fellow
American Board of Trial Advocates
- Member, Board of Trustees, Northern NJ Chapter (2016 - present)
New Jersey State Bar Association
- Member, Board of Trustees (2010-2016)
- Nominating Committee
- Chair (2017-2018)
- Member (2015-2016)
- Election Committee (2019-present)
- Medical Malpractice Committee (2009-present)
- Membership Committee (2007-2016)
- Finance and Operations Committee (2011-present)
- Amicus Committee (2016-present)
- Member of following Ad Hoc Committees
- Attorney's Fees and Attorney Advertising
- Professional Malpractice
- Nominations and Elections
- Metadata
- Political Action Committee
Morris County Bar Association
- President (2005)
- Trustee (1996–2006)
- Judicial and Prosecutorial Appointments/Judicial Due Diligence Committees (2009-present)
- Civil Practice Committee
- Chair (2017-present)
- Member (2002–present)
- Nominations Committee, various years
Morris County Bar Foundation
- President (2003)
- Trustee (2000–present)
- Chair, Lawyers for Kids 5K (2005–2014)
New Jersey State Bar Foundation
- Board of Trustees (2014-2016)
- Ad Hoc Strategic Planning Committee (2016)
New Jersey Supreme Court appointment to the District X Ethics Committee
- Chair (2001–2002)
- Member (1998–2002)
New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners, Committee on Character and Fitness
- Member (2021–present)
Trial Attorneys of New Jersey
- Trustee (2000–2006)
Matheny Medical and Educational Center
- Board of Trustees, Member (2002–present)
- Chair (2018-present)
- Vice-Chair (2008-2018)
- Secretary (2004-2008)
- Chair, Corporate Compliance Committee (2009-2014)
News
- 26 Porzio Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 Edition; 6 Listed as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch®, 8/15/2024
- 18 Porzio Attorneys Named to 2024 New Jersey Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars® Lists, 3/25/2024
- In the News: Media Coverage in Adriana Kuch Case Surrounding Defamation Lawsuit Filed Against School Officials , 1/31/2024
- Porzio, Bromberg & Newman: Board of Education and Top School Officials Accused of Negligence and Failure to Protect Suicide Victim Adriana Kuch from Brutal New Jersey School Attack, New Lawsuit Claims, 1/29/2024
- 27 Porzio Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®; Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch®, 8/17/2023
- Twenty Porzio Attorneys Recognized in 2023 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists, 5/11/2023
- Porzio's Vito A. Gagliardi, Jr. and William A. Krais Inducted as Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers, 2/27/2023
- 24 Porzio Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers ® in America, 2023 Edition, 8/18/2022
- 22 Porzio Attorneys Selected for Inclusion on 2022 New Jersey Super Lawyers List, 4/06/2022
- Congratulations To The 23 Porzio Attorneys Recognized In Best Lawyers® In America, 2022, 8/19/2021
- Congratulations To The 23 Porzio Attorneys Recognized In Best Lawyers In America, 2020, 8/15/2019
- Porzio Principals Bill Krais and John Mairo Selected to the 2017 New Jersey Super Lawyers Top 100 List, 4/10/2017
- Principal William Krais Presented at the NJSBA Program, "Ethical Cliffhangers for Civil Trial Attorneys", 11/11/2016
- Bill Krais Quoted by Runner's World Regarding the Inherent Risk Associated with Beer Mile Races, 6/22/2016
- Porzio Principal William A. Krais Recognized as 2015 New Jersey Super Lawyers Top 100, 3/31/2015
- Porzio Sponsors 10th Annual Lawyers for Kids 5K to Benefit CASA, 7/10/2014
- Bill Krais Appointed to Third Term as Trustee of the New Jersey State Bar Association, 5/15/2014
Articles
Speaking Engagements
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"Leadership Skills Series: A Seat at the Table--Serving on a Board," NJ ICLE, 1/14/2021
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"What is My Personal Injury Case Worth: A Review of Damages, Insight from the Bench, and an Interactive Program on Case Value", Morris County Bar Association Legalpalooza, 11/18/2020
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"Civil Case Law Update," Morris County Bar Association Civil Practice Committee Webinar, 9/15/2020
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"Hot Topics in Civil Trial Practice," Morris County Bar Association – Legalpalooza, 10/18/2019
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"Crime Victims' Rights - Representing the Victim of a Violent Crime in a Civil Case," NJ ICLE, 9/12/2019
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"Everyday Ethics," Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, 6/14/2017
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"Ethics for Paralegals," Paralegal Association of New Jersey, 4/25/2017
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"Ethical Cliffhangers for Civil Trial Attorneys: Concerns for the Plaintiff's Attorney," NJ ICLE, 11/11/2016
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"The Leading Cases in Civil Law from 2015 to the Present," Morris County Bar Association MCLE Program, 6/15/2016
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"The Leading Cases in Civil Law from 2015 to the Present", MCBA/MCLE Program, 2/15/2016
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"Expert Qualifications in Medical and Nursing Malpractice Cases and Responsibilities of a Legal Nurse Consultant," New Jersey Chapter of the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants, 1/13/2016
Media Mentions
- "Bullying incidents have quadrupled since 2018. Why can't schools do anything about it?," app, part of the USA Today Network, 2/05/2024
- "Bullied NJ student's family sues school officials who 'created culture of violence' before girl's suicide," Fox News, 2/03/2024
- "NJ School Violence, Bullying Up Over Pre-Pandemic, DOE Report Says," Patch, 2/02/2024
- "School sued by family of teen who died by suicide after assault video," The Independent, 2/01/2024
- "N.J. girl dies by suicide after assault at school is recorded, posted online; now her family is suing," Cleveland.com, 1/31/2024
- "Family of tragic teenager who killed herself after viral school beating video sue school," Mirror, 1/31/2024
- "Family of girl, 14, who killed herself days after being attacked in video sues school," The Mirror US, 1/31/2024
- "A 14-year-old died by suicide after being bullied and attacked at school, her family says. Now they're suing the school board," CNN, 1/30/2024
- "One year after a bullied and beaten 14-year-old's suicide, family sues New Jersey school district," USA Today, 1/30/2024
- "Family of teen who died by suicide after video of her assault was posted online sues school," NBC News, 1/30/2024
- "Family Of Bullied Bayville Teen Sues District 1 Year After Her Death," Patch, 1/30/2024
- "NJ family sues school officials after teen daughter kills herself over brutal hallway beating," PM., 1/30/2024
- "One year after student's suicide, Central Regional faces lawsuit from family," app, part of the USA Today Network, 1/30/2024
- "Family of NJ teen who died by suicide after viral school video sues Central Regional High School," News12, 1/30/2024
- "Adriana Kuch suicide lawsuit: NJ school failed to protect her from bullies, family says," Fox 5, 1/30/2024
- "POLITICO NJ Playbook," Politico, 1/30/2024
- "Family of Teen Who Died by Suicide After Viral Attack Video Sues School Officials," Daily Beast, 1/30/2024
- "Family of N.J. teen who died by suicide after bullying sues school," Daily News, 1/30/2024
- "Adriana Kuch's family claims NJ school failed to protect teen who was driven to suicide from bullying," New York Post, 1/30/2024
- PARENTS' PAIN Adriana Kuch's parents sue school for negligence after her heartbreaking suicide following violent viral bullying video," The U.S. Sun, 1/30/2024
- "Teen's suicide after school beating video goes viral sparks family lawsuit for ‘catastrophic failure' and ‘cruel' treatment by school officials," Law & Crime, 1/30/2024
- "Father of Adriana Kuch Sues School System in Ocean County," InsiderNJ, 1/29/2024
- "‘They failed Adriana:' Family of NJ teen who died by suicide after viral school fight video sues," NBC New York, 1/29/2024
- "Kuch family sues school board over daughter's death by suicide," NJ Spotlight News, 1/29/2024
- "Family of New Jersey Teen Who Killed Herself After Video of Violent Bullying Went Viral Sue School," The Messenger, 1/29/2024
- "After NJ teen's online bullying suicide, family seeks punishment for school officials," 94.5 PST, 1/29/2024
- "After NJ teen's online bullying suicide, family seeks punishment for school officials," New Jersey 101.5, 1/29/2024
- "Family of NJ teen who died by suicide days after video of her attack went viral sues school board, former superintendent," KYW Newsradio, 1/29/2024
- "Family of New Jersey teenager who committed suicide after she was said to bullied now suing school district, others," CBS New York, 1/29/2024
- "Kuch family sues school board over Adriana's death by suicide," THIRTEEN PBS, 1/29/2024
- "Reckless' school officials failed bullied N.J. 14-year-old who died by suicide, lawsuit says," NJ.com, 1/29/2024
- "NJ school officials were aware of a 'culture of violence' among students before Adriana Kuch committed suicide: lawsuit," Business Insider, 1/29/2024
- "NJ Spotlight News: January 29, 2024," PBS, 1/29/2024
- "Family of bullied New Jersey teen Adriana Kuch sues school for not protecting her one year after she killed herself," Daily Mail, 1/29/2024
Recent Results
Recent Results
Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
- $3,375,000 - Settlement for neurosurgical error causing paraplegia
- $2,500,000 - Verdict for loss of vision in one eye due to failure to diagnose and treat a benign growth in the brain
- $2,250,000 - Settlement for wrongful death due to delayed diagnosis of cervical cancer
- $1,975,00 - Settlement for neurologically-impaired infant
- $1,600,000 - Settlement against obstetrician and radiologist for failing to diagnose down syndrome in fetus
- $1,500,000 - Settlement for injuries to an infant from IV infiltration
- $1,500,000 - Settlement from wrongful death and personal injuries due to auto accident
- $1,500,000 - Settlement for personal injuries due to construction negligence by roofing company
- $1,300,000 - Verdict against obstetrician in shoulder dystocia/brachial plexus case
- $1,250,000 - Settlement for pedestrian's orthopedic injuries following collision with SUV in shopping center parking lot
- $1,250,000 - Settlement against obstetrician and radiologist for failing to diagnose spina bifida in fetus
- $1,200,000 - Settlement for bicyclist who sustained a degloving injury to her leg when struck by a delivery truck
- $1,200,000 - Settlement for loss of vision due to alleged failure to treat neurologic condition
- $1,123,250 - Settlement against physiatry team for failing to diagnose cauda equina syndrome
- $1,000,000 - Settlement for wrongful death due to delayed diagnosis of cervical cancer
- $1,000,000 - Settlement (pre-suit) for orthopedic injuries sustained by motorcycle driver
- $1,000,000 - Settlement for personal injuries against landowner and tenant for failing to install a handrail on exterior staircase
- $980,000 - Settlement for vascular injuries following ankle surgery
- $975,000 - Settlement against obstetrician in shoulder dystocia/brachial plexus case
- $850,000 - Settlement (pre-suit) for wrongful death of college student in auto accident
- $800,000 - Settlement for wrongful death against emergency room staff
- $750,000 - Settlement in medical malpractice case for wrongful death following bariatric surgery
- $750,000 - Settlement against two surgeons relating to patient's alleged wrongful death following bariatric surgery
Clerkships
- Chief Judge Sarah D. Grant, Arizona Court of Appeals, Phoenix, Arizona, Judicial Clerk, 1990–1991