Joseph W. Williford joined the firm in 1981 and for several years concentrated in the areas of workers' compensation and general casualty litigation. Over the past twenty years Joe's practice has primarily involved the litigation and resolution of medical negligence or malpractice claims representing physicians and hospitals. More recently, much of Joe's practice has included the representation of nursing homes, rest homes and assisted-living and long term care facilities throughout North Carolina.

Joe is a member of both the Defense Research Institute and the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel.

Joe has an AV Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

Publications and Presentations:

• Comment, The Use of Blood Tests in Actions to Determine Paternity, 16 Wake Forest Law Rev. 591 (1980)
• Lecturer, Advanced Workers' Compensation in North Carolina, February, 1991, National Business Institute
• Lecturer, Basic Workers' Compensation, April, 1992, North Carolina Bar Foundation Continuing Legal Education
• Lecturer, Nursing Home Litigation, August 2003, North Carolina Health Care Facilities Association

Reported Decisions:

• Osburn v. Maxwell, 135 N.C. App. 88, 529 S.E.2d 88 (1999), aff'd per curium 352 N.C. 143, 530 S.E.2d 54 (2000) (issue of informed consent as to FDA status of medical devices).
• Moore v Standard Mineral, 122 N.C. App. 375, 469 S.E.2d 594 (1996) (workers' compensation issue of average weekly wage in silicosis case)
• Locklear v Scotland Memorial Hospital, Inc., 119 N.C. App. 245, 457 S.E.2d 764 (1995) (medical malpractice service of process issue)
• Hardin v Venture Construction Co., 107 N.C. App. 758, 421 S.E.2d 601 (1992) (workers' compensation issue of average weekly wage in death case)
• Wallace v Haserick, 105 N.C. App.315, 412 S.E.2d 694 (1992) (medical malpractice affirmative defense issue)
• Huggard v Wake County Hospital System, 102 N.C. App. 772, 403 S.E.2d 568 (1991), aff'd., 330 N.C. 610, 411 S.E.2d 610 (1992) (medical malpractice involving service of process as to "John Doe" defendant)
• McKenzie v McCarter Electric Co., 86 N.C. App. 619, 359 S.E.2d 249 (1987) (workers' compensation involving aggravation of pre-existing condition)
• Jones v Beaunit Corp., 72 N.C. 351, 424 S.E.2d 624 (1985) (workers' compensation involving occupational disease)
• Smith v Intermedics, Inc., 767 F.2d 82 (1985) (product liability claim involving pacemaker)
• Southeastern Asphalt v American Defender Life, 69 N.C. App. 185, 316 S.E.2d 311 (1984) (material misrepresentation in life insurance policy)
• Hobgood v Anchor Motor Freight, 68 N.C. App. 783, 316 S.E.2d 86 (1984) (workers' compensation issue involving injury by accident)
• Ransom v Blair, 62 N.C. App. 71, 302 S.E.2d 306 (1983) (breach of warranty on casket)
• Pittman v Twin City Laundry, 61 N.C. App. 468, 300 S.E.2d 899 (1983) (workers' compensation issue involving injury by accident)