Profile

William Rikard has more than 30 years of experience focusing on complex civil litigation, including antitrust, unfair competition, intellectual property, business torts (particularly fraud, tortious interference, trade secrets and covenants not to compete), purchase price adjustments, commercial contracts and commercial product liability.

Mr. Rikard has tried numerous complex lawsuits in North Carolina and other federal and state courts, has appeared before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. He has represented numerous corporations and individuals in multiple large commercial lawsuits and arbitrations.

In addition, Mr. Rikard has lectured on substantive law related to antitrust, unfair competition, trade regulation, covenants not to compete, trade secrets and damages.

Mr. Rikard was a first lieutenant in the United States Army from 1970-1972.

Experience Highlights

Mr. Rikard's notable recent cases and arbitrations include:

• Sunbelt Rentals, Inc. v. Head & Engquist Equipment, L.L.C., 620 S.E. 2d 222 (N.C. Court of Appeals, 2005) in which over $20 million was recovered by plaintiff client for misappropriation of trade secrets and unfair competition in violations of N.C.G.S. § 75-1.1
• Vanguard Furniture Company v. Apple et al, (2004) an arbitration in which plaintiff client was awarded significant damages, including a punitive damage award, for unfair competition and breach of fiduciary duty
• Performance Friction Company v. Hawke Brake et al, (2002) a N.C. Superior Court action in which plaintiff client obtained a contempt decision against a defendant for violation of a preliminary injunction, which facilitated a significant settlement for unfair competition, violation of a covenant not to compete and trade secret misappropriation on the eve of the trial
• Americal Corporation v. Grassi, Golden Lady, Sp A et al, (2000) U.S. Dist Lexis 7189 (E.D.N.C 2000) in which plaintiff client was awarded summary judgment on $30 million counterclaim leading to favorable settlement prior to trial on claims of fraud, unfair competition in violation of N.C.G.S. § 75-1.1

News

• Forty-Two Parker Poe Attorneys Named as 2012 NC Super Lawyers
  January 20, 2012
• 69 Parker Poe Attorneys Recognized as Best Lawyers® for 2012
  September 6, 2011
• Chambers USA 2011 Ranks Parker Poe as Leading Law Firm
  June 10, 2011
• Thirty-Seven Parker Poe Attorneys Named NC Super Lawyers for 2011
  January 25, 2011
• 61 Parker Poe Attorneys Recognized as Best Lawyers® for 2011
  August 18, 2010
• Chambers USA 2010 Ranks Parker Poe as Leading Law Firm
  June 11, 2010
• Law & Politics Names 36 Parker Poe Attorneys as Super Lawyers
  January 28, 2010
• 55 Parker Poe Attorneys Recognized as Best Lawyers®
  July 30, 2009
• Chambers USA 2009 Recognizes Parker Poe As Leading Law Firm
  June 12, 2009
• Forty-Six Attorneys Named Super Lawyers
  January 26, 2009
• Twenty-One Parker Poe Attorneys Among "Legal Elite" for 2009
  January 1, 2009
• Parker Poe Increases Number of Attorneys Recognized as Best Lawyers in America
  October 1, 2008
• More than 50 Parker Poe Attorneys among Business Leader's Top Lawyers
  September 24, 2008
• Chambers USA 2008 Recognizes Parker Poe Among America's Leading Lawyers
  June 16, 2008
• Twenty-One Parker Poe Attorneys Named Super Lawyers
  January 28, 2008
• Twenty-One Parker Poe Attorneys Among "Legal Elite" for 2008
  January 14, 2008
• 40 Parker Poe Attorneys Named Among 2008 Best Lawyers in America
  September 14, 2007
• Chambers USA 2007 Recognizes Parker Poe Among America's Leading Lawyers
  June 26, 2007
• Fair or Unfair? That is the Question
  Business Torts Journal
  May 7, 2007
• Nineteen Parker Poe Attorneys Named North Carolina Super Lawyers 2007
  January 26, 2007
• Fifteen Parker Poe Attorneys Among "Legal Elite"
  January 8, 2007
• Parker Poe Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers in America
  September 12, 2006
• Seventeen Parker Poe Attorneys Among "Legal Elite"
  January 20, 2006
• Former Federal Prosecutor to Help Build White Collar Criminal Defense Practice at Parker Poe
  January 19, 2006
• NC Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Sunbelt Rentals
  October 26, 2005
• Parker Poe Attorneys Among The Best Lawyers in America
  September 13, 2005
• Parker Poe Attorneys Honored as The Best Lawyers in America and the "Legal Elite" in North Carolina
  February 28, 2005
• Five Parker Poe Attorneys and Five Practice Areas have been Included in the Chambers USA: Guide to American's Leading Business Lawyers
  June 3, 2004

Events & Speaking Engagements

• All's Fair in Love & War? Hiring Competitors' Key Employees and Stealing Trade Secrets
  May 6, 2004
  American Bar Association Section of Litigation Conference
• Legal and Practical Implications of Electronic Discovery
  March 8, 2004
  American Bar Association Section of Litigation Seminar
• Fair Competition: Probing the Outer Limits
  February 20, 2004
  Current Issues for Business Lawyers and Corporate Counsel, North Carolina Bar Foundation
• Damages in Commercial Cases
  June 13, 2003
  North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys' Summer Meeting

Memberships

• Davidson College
  Board of Trustees, 2006-present
• Union Theological Seminary and P.S.C.E.
  Board of Trustees, 2005-present
• Vanderbilt Law School
  Member, National Council, 2002-2005
• Mecklenburg County Board of Education
  Chairman, 1994-1995; Member, 1988-1995