William R. Lunsford

Bill Lunsford has devoted his legal career to defending governmental officials and contractors in systemic, institutional reform litigation. He leads a team of attorneys and professional staff with a wide range of expertise in litigation pertaining to correctional systems. This team of litigators routinely represent and advise correctional staff, including but not limited to executive-level officials, agencies, officers, medical and mental health and probation and parole officials. During his career, Bill has litigated, managed and/or resolved a multitude of prisoner class actions against correctional agencies and vendors across the United States. In addition to this litigation experience, Bill regularly advises clients on compliance and liability issues related to the standards and practices publicized by the American Correctional Association, the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, and the National Institute of Corrections.

When asked about Maynard Cooper’s experience in correctional litigation, Bill routinely describes this work as the “greatest privilege,” representing “the men and women who work every day to ensure the safe and humane incarceration of individuals in the custody of our state correctional systems.” Bill’s passion for public servants is also reflected through client accounts of their individual experiences.

One client described him as a “tireless advocate” who “has an incredible ability to form creative solutions and strategies for his clients…” Another general counsel working in the corrections industry wrote, “[he] has become our expert on all large cases. He has more experience in these large class-action type matters than any of our other outside counsel.”

After years of involvement in correctional litigation, Bill recently assumed the role of Special Counsel to the Correctional Leaders Association (CLA) (formerly known as the “Association of State Correctional Administrators”). CLA’s membership includes all 50 executive-level appointees overseeing the operations of our nation’s major correctional systems, as well as all prisons under federal jurisdiction and local jails operated by Los Angeles County, the District of Columbia, New York City, and Philadelphia.

Beyond complex institutional reform litigation and class actions, Bill’s litigation background extends to a variety of other complex litigation matters. He was recognized as a leader in Construction Law in the 2019 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. He historically has represented commercial developers, owners, general contractors in construction litigation involving commercial retail space, office space, mixed-use developments and the like.

"Bill has become our expert on all large cases. He has more experience in these large class- action type matters than any of our other outside counsel. " -- Client Testimonial

• Alabama Star Bar, Construction Industry Section (former Director, Secretary, Vice-President)
• Alabama State Bar Leadership Forum, Class III
• Alabama State Bar Inaugural Mentor Program
• Leadership Huntsville-Madison County, Connect Class I
• Active supporter of Lincoln Village Ministry and Birmingham Theological Seminary’s Prison Initiative Program
• Huntsville Symphony Ball, Advisor
• USA Swimming, Certified Official