Nicole Williams

Advertising and Social Media

Representing food manufacturing company in defense of putative class action regarding origin and other false advertising claims.

Representing food manufacturing company in regulatory proceedings related to advertising claims of competitors.

Representing consumer services provider in litigation related to advertising claims of competitors.

Represented a carbon steel flange manufacturer in defense of Lanham Act and common law false advertising and unfair competition claims brought by a competitor, prevailing on summary judgment and asserting counterclaims for Lanham Act and common law false designation of origin, false advertising and unfair competition.

Represented individuals in defense of advertising and intellectual property claims related to sale of turban and other head covering products, resulting in favorable settlement.

Represented major online review company in suit related to review platform, resulting in a dismissal of the case.

Advised numerous food, beverage and consumer product companies regarding product labels; print, online and social media advertising campaigns; and distribution strategies.

Represented a major airline in a putative class action relating to airline's cancellation policy, resulting in a dismissal of the case.

Represented a major airline in a putative class action relating to airline's reward program, resulting in a dismissal of the case.

Represented an individual Yelp! reviewer in a case brought by a business asserting breach of contract and defamation claims, resulting in dismissal under the Texas Citizens' Participation Act (anti-SLAPP statute).

Represented multiple pet food manufacturers in threatened putative consumer class actions challenging labeling and advertisements.

Represented a major airline in a putative class action relating to service, resulting in voluntary dismissal following a motion to dismiss.

Represented food product manufacturer in multiple alleged nationwide and statewide class actions related to false and misleading advertising for various products.

Represented consumer product manufacturer in agency proceeding regarding allegations of false and misleading advertising.

Represented international restaurant chain in threatened putative statewide consumer class action challenging representations on restaurant menu.

Represented retail food provider in Lanham Act and Alabama Deceptive Trade Practices Act case, resulting in dismissal of first complaint and summary judgment granted in favor of client.

Represented retail food provider in threatened putative nationwide consumer class action challenging food product labels; motion to dismiss granted in related Lanham Act case.

Representing a major airline in a putative class action relating to service fees.

Representing a major consumer retail company in a putative class action relating to alleged safety issues and related product representations.

Represented food product manufacturer in defending putative class action claims related to origin of the product, resulting in a dismissal of the complaint.

Represented multiple food product manufacturers in defending putative class action claims related to product ingredients, resulting in dismissal of claims or favorable settlements.

Represented multiple foods product manufacturers in defending putative class action claims related to "natural" representations or allegedly bioengineered or GMO ingredients, resulting in dismissal of claims or favorable settlements.

Represented various companies in investigating and making claims related to competitor advertising statements

Antitrust

Representing defendant in antitrust putative class case regarding independent distributor arrangements; defeated request for temporary restraining order and successfully transferred venue of case.

Advised numerous companies regarding antitrust aspects of proposed joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions.

Represented numerous companies in responding to subpoenas and CIDs from government agencies related to antitrust investigations.

Represented a manufacturer in an adjudicatory proceeding before the Federal Trade Commission involving price-fixing allegations.

Advised numerous companies regarding potential antitrust actions and implications of competitors' behavior.

Advised numerous companies regarding antitrust policy, training, and compliance matters.

Represented a manufacturer in direct and indirect purchaser putative class actions regarding an alleged conspiracy to fix prices.

Represented offshore drilling company in putative class action alleging antitrust and RICO violations, resulting in summary judgment in favor of client.

Represented a group of physicians in an adjudicatory proceeding before the Federal Trade Commission involving price-fixing allegations.

Commercial Litigation

Representing owner of closely-held companies in breach of contract and fiduciary duty derivative arbitration and lawsuit against other members and managers.

Representing chapter 7 bankruptcy estate in pursuing over $200 million in claims against former principals.

Representing certified class of creditors in court-approved settlement of wage and related claims in chapter 7 bankruptcy proceeding.

Representing reorganized company in fraud suit against former principals seeking recovery of over $90 million.

Represented owners of retail chain as plaintiffs in litigation against business partners for breaches of fiduciary duties and other wrongful actions.

Represented creditors' trust in litigation against putative defendant class of shareholders receiving over $10 million in dividends.

Represented bankruptcy chapter 11 Trustee in class action adversary proceedings related to ownership of alleged estate assets and rescission claims against the estate, securing approval of class action settlement required to resolve over $2 billion bankruptcy.

Represented a medical marijuana distributor in defending claims of fraud and securities violations and RICO claims, resulting in a dismissal of the case.

Represented litigation trustee in fraud suit against principal of investment scheme, resulting in a favorable judgment of over $40 million.

Represented a student in a First Amendment challenge to educational institution policies, resulting in a favorable dismissal.

Represented a company in defending defamation claims involving the First Amendment and the Texas Citizens' Participation Act (anti-SLAPP).

Represented food product manufacturer in alleged class action regarding treatment of independent distributors, resulting in dismissal of case.

Represented food product manufacturer in arbitration proceeding regarding status of independent distributors and other labor claims, resulting in complete victory for client.

Represented food product manufacturer in action by an independent distributor for various Arkansas state law claims, resulting in Arkansas Supreme Court opinion that arbitration agreement required dismissal of case.

Represented real estate developer as the plaintiff in arbitration proceeding regarding a contractual dispute, resulting in a complete victory for client, including award of attorneys' fees.

Represented title insurance company and insureds to resolve issues relating to missing and incorrect documentation in more than 500 residential property closings across the country.

Represented banking institution in defending claims of breach of contract and fraud, resulting in take-nothing judgment in favor of the client.

Represented both plaintiffs and defendants in wrongful foreclosure actions of both commercial and residential property.

Represented both plaintiffs and defendants in actions relating to non-competition and confidentiality agreements, including obtaining temporary restraining orders.

Blogs

Health Care Mergers at Risk: New Guidelines Enhance Agencies’ Powers to Challenge Mergers January 3, 2024

DOJ withdraws three long-standing antitrust policy statements, leaving health care organizations in limbo February 24, 2023

Blog Browse: Federal agencies announce expedited antitrust procedures for COVID-19 public health efforts April 2, 2020

Thompson Coburn Publications

Mergers at Risk: FTC and DOJ Issue New Guidelines to Enhance Powers to Challenge Mergers Across Industries December 21, 2023

California urges Ninth Circuit to set a higher bar for dismissing false advertising claims at the pleadings stage February 28, 2023

Employers beware! FTC proposes sweeping rule banning nearly all employee (and independent contractor) non-compete agreements January 18, 2023

2021 rules changes: Texas Rules of Civil Procedure August 6, 2021

Federal agencies announce expedited antitrust procedures for COVID-19 public health efforts April 2, 2020

TCLEs

Better Together? Competition, Price Gouging and Other Antitrust Issues Raised by the COVID-19 Pandemic April 21, 2020

Publications

Quoted, "Three Diverse Managing Partners Talk Shop, Share Wisdom at TMCP,"
The Texas Lawbook, October 31, 2023

"Thompson Coburn Makes 5-Year Sponsorship Commitment to UNT Law Moot Court Competition,"
The Texas Lawbook, October 2021

“2021 Rule Changes: Texas Rules of Civil Procedure,”
Dallas Bar Association Headnotes, July 2021

“The Texas Citizens Participation Act Enters a New Era,”
On the Cusp, UNT Dallas Law Review, Spring 2021

"Thompson Coburn's Crazy First Year in Texas: A Q&A with Nicole Williams,"
The Texas Lawbook March 2021

“Recent Texas Citizens Participation Act Amendments,"
UNT Dallas Law Review, Fall 2019

"SCOTX Erects New Hurdle for Litigating Anonymous Defamation,"
Texas Lawbook, February 07, 2019

ABA Antitrust Class Action Handbook, Chapter Contributor,
2018

ABA Handbook of Market Definition, Chapter Contributor,
2012

ABA Joint Venture Antitrust Handbook, Chapter Contributor,
2014

Presentations

"In-House Insights into Advertising, Branding and Social Media,"
ABA Antitrust Law Section, May 23, 2024

Panelist, "Managing Partners Panel,"
Texas Minority Counsel Program October 27, 2023

"Inspiring Down & Managing Up: Invaluable Tools for Effective Communications & Career Growth,"
GCC Southwest, September 21, 2023

Consumer Protection Update,
ABA Antitrust Law Section, June 8, 2021

"Responsible Return to the Workplace: Testing and Contact Tracing,"
Dallas Regional Chamber, September 10, 2020

"Consumer Protection Update,"
ABA Antitrust Law Section, June 18, 2019

“Consumer Protection Litigation: U.S. Trends and Developments,”
ABA Antitrust Law Spring Meeting, March 28, 2019

"Defamation and Business Disparagement – Old Torts with a New Twist in the Age of Social Media,"
Association of Corporate Counsel, August 8, 2018

"Mock Trial - Motion to Dismiss Hacking Suit,"
ABA Antitrust Law Spring Meeting, Spring 2018

Trial-Focused Discovery: You Don’t Always Get What You Want, But Get What You Need,"
ABA Section of Litigation Spring Meeting, Spring 2017

"Strategies and Tips on Multidistrict Practice and Litigation,"
State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, June 20, 2013

"FTC v. North Carolina Dental: Implications for State Regulation,"
ABA Antitrust Section, July 19, 2013

"Protecting Brand Integrity: Product Theft, Diversion, and Counterfeiting and Product Reputation and Promotion,"
RIMS Conference, April 29, 2015

"The Arbitration Tool Box: Arbitrating Complex Cases,"
Federal Bar Association, March 24, 2015

"Antitrust Aspects of M&A Transactions,"
Corporate Counsel Institute, Spring 2014

"Getting Jury Instructions Right In Civil Antitrust Cases,"
ABA Antitrust Spring Meeting, March 26, 2014

News

Nicole Williams Shares Firm’s Success in 2023, Litigation Trends, and More in Q&A April 29, 2024

Nicole Williams Shares Experiences in Leadership, DEI on Texas Panel November 6, 2023

Summary judgment win for Canadian Standards Association March 21, 2023

Thompson Coburn partners with WNBA’s Dallas Wings, Karima Christmas-Kelly Foundation for holiday giveback January 6, 2023

Nicole Williams, Jasmine Wynton earn 2022 Texas Legal Awards August 9, 2022

Dallas office wins two awards in 2022 law firm campaign for the North Texas Food Bank April 12, 2022

Thompson Coburn is Texas proud after first year in Dallas March 4, 2021

Thompson Coburn’s Management Committee welcomes three new members July 28, 2020

National law firm Thompson Coburn lands four partners in new Dallas office March 3, 2020