Kahlil C. Williams

Kahlil Williams is an associate in the Firm’s Litigation Department, where he represents companies and individuals in government and internal investigations, actions involving securities and corporate governance, and complex commercial litigation. Kahlil also helps his clients design and implement anti-corruption and anti-bribery policies and fulfill internal and external compliance obligations. Kahlil is also a member of the firm's Diversity Council. Prior to joining Ballard Spahr, Kahlil worked for a major international firm in New York City.

Pro Bono Experience

Kahlil maintains an active and varied pro bono practice. He is currently co-counsel to plaintiffs challenging Pennsylvania’s method of counting prisoners, for redistricting purposes, where they are incarcerated, rather than their last known residence (known as “prison-based gerrymandering”). Kahlil also represents a refugee from Sierra Leone seeking asylum and other relief in federal immigration court. Kahlil has overseen several legal volunteer programs for Election Protection, a non-partisan voting rights coalition led by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and has advised Mount Moriah Preservation Corporation on its efforts to reorganize and restore Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia.

Selected Representations

• Represent electronic payments company in federal and state putative securities class action lawsuits and related litigation.
• Represented national retail drugstore chain in civil jury trial in Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas involving Dragonetti and civil conspiracy claims, and obtained favorable verdict on all counts.
• Represented national utilities company in internal investigation following environmental emergency.
• Represented global financial institution in investigation by the Securities & Exchange Commission involving potential violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-corruption laws in Hong Kong & China.
• Represented individual in investigation by the Southern District of New York U.S. Attorney’s Office into practices relating to the origination and funding of certain life insurance policies by a global financial institution, resulting in declination from prosecution.
• Represented international home-goods company in investigations by the Eastern District of Pennsylvania into compliance with federal laws relating to minority business contracts.
• Represented national media technology company in District of New Jersey relating to securities fraud and breach of fiduciary duty claims, obtaining complete dismissal of securities fraud claims.
• Represented broker-dealer arm of global financial institution in Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas pursuant to claims of aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duties.
• Represented global technology and media company in litigation before the Delaware Court of Chancery arising from a corporate merger.
• Represented global financial institution in federal and state litigation relating to the sale and underwriting of residential mortgage-backed securities.
• Represented non-profit entity in internal investigation into potential violations of False Claims Act and other anti-fraud statutes.
• Designed training and compliance materials for global technology and media company relating to the company’s code of conduct and protection of the attorney-client privilege.
• Advised multinational company on compliance with anti-bribery and anti-corruption rules and local laws.

Professional Activities

Leader, Ballard Spahr Black Lawyers Group

Pathfinders Program, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (2020)

The Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia, Inc.

Recognitions and Accomplishments

The Best Lawyers in America "Ones to Watch," – Criminal Defense: White-Collar (Philadelphia), 2021

Publications

Co-author, "Has the SEC Lost Home Court Advantage?" Ballard Spahr alert, June 22, 2018

Selected Presentations

Moderator, "So You Want to Be a Judge: A Primer," Philadelphia Barristers' General Meeting, February 12, 2020

Panelist, "Beyond the Ballot: Securing U.S. Elections and Ensuring Voter Confidence in the Digital Age," Pennsylvania Bar Institute CLE, January 30, 2020

"But How Do We Draw the Line? Hot Topics on Gerrymandering, Redistricting, and the Voting Rights Act," Pennsylvania Bar Institute CLE, June 10, 2019

Columbia Law School (J.D. 2011)
Staff Development & Senior Editor, Columbia Law Review
Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar
Irell & Manella Prize
2011 Class Gift Co-Chair

The University of Pennsylvania (M.A., Political Science, 2004)
William Fontaine Fellowship
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Fellowship
SAS Dean's Award for Distinguished Teaching

The Pennsylvania State University (B.A. 2001)

New York

Pennsylvania