William W. Ogden

Of Counsel

Houston

Biography
Experience
News & Insights
Blog Posts

Bill Ogden practices in the trial and appellate groups. He has extensive courtroom and appellate experience in a wide range of commercial litigation, with concentration in communications and First Amendment law, employment litigation, financial services and energy law. Bill is Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He is one of the foremost First Amendment attorneys in the state of Texas having represented traditional media such as newspapers, broadcasters, journalists and book publishers, as well as internet content providers and international technology companies.

Memberships

Member, Houston Bar Association
Member, Texas State Bar Association
Sustaining Life Fellow, Houston Bar Foundation
Sustaining Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
Member, Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists

Community Service

Trustee, Texas Supreme Court Historical Society
Member, Board of Directors, Texas Center for Legal Ethics
Former Director, State Bar of Texas (District 4, Position2, 2008-2011)
Former Director, Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program
Member and Past Chairman, Houston Bar Association (Law and Media Committee)
Volunteer and Job Search Instructor, Memorial Assistance Ministries
Advisory Director, Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas

The University of Texas at Austin School of Law, J.D., with honors, 1977
- Member, Order of the Coif
- Member, Texas Law Review
The University of Texas at Austin, B.A., highest honors, 1974

Bar Admissions

Texas

Courts

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
Texas Supreme Court
U.S. Supreme Court

AV Preeminent-rated, Martindale-Hubbell
“Best Lawyers,” The Best Lawyers in America, 1991-2026
“Super Lawyers,” Texas Super Lawyers, 2003-2020
President’s Award, Houston Bar Association, 1993, 2016
James Madison Award, Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, 1991

Representation of a major metropolitan newspaper, two book publishers and three television broadcasters in multiple libel, privacy and intellectual property cases in courts across Texas, including six successful decisions in the Texas Supreme Court.
Representation of a global transportation company in connection with administrative and court proceedings in multiple Texas counties to protect trade secrets under the Texas Public Information Act.
Representation of the nation’s largest automated teller machine network operator in defense of claims arising from multiple distributor agreements in Mexico.
Representation of major interstate pipeline company in successful jury verdiåct, affirmed on appeal, on multiple claims for breach of contract and tortious interference with municipal gas supply contracts to the City of Alexandria, Louisiana.
Representation of media client in defense of libel and invasion of privacy claims before the Fifth Circuit and on certified question to the Texas Supreme Court, resulting in case of first impression on non- recognition of false light privacy doctrine in Texas.
Representation of premier national research university in successfully defeating multiple claims for lack of personal jurisdiction.
Representation of trust department of major national bank in obtaining favorable jury verdict on multiple claims for breach of trust and violation of fiduciary duties in connection with administration of complex testamentary trust.
Representation of the nation’s largest waste disposal company in defense of unfair competition and product disparagement claims.

William W. Ogden

Biography

Experience

News & Insights

Blog Posts

Bar Admissions

Courts