William J. Cozort has represented clients in commercial, construction, transportation, industrial accident, toxic tort, and products and premises liability disputes for more than twenty-six years. Before joining Brothers Alvarado, P.C. in January 2014, Mr. Cozort served as a shareholder with the firm of Bair Hilty, P.C. and prior to that as a partner with the Houston firm of Manning, Gosda & Arredondo, L.L.P. for more than ten years. Mr. Cozort has successfully defended electrical utilities and contractors, trucking and transportation concerns, petrochemical companies, oilfield services companies, banks and other lenders, general contractors and road construction firms, manufactured housing retailers and manufacturer, manufacturers of recreational vehicles, and premises owners and product manufacturers of all types in federal courts, state courts and other forums throughout the State of Texas. Mr. Cozort has years of experience in the field of mass and toxic tort litigation, having served as trial counsel and Assistant Regional Manager for a major asbestos defendant’s eight state Southwest Region – a position including direct responsibility for the day to day management of tens of thousands of asbestos claims.
Mr. Cozort is a native Houstonian and graduated with honors from Bellaire Senior High School and the University of Texas at Austin’s College of Liberal Arts prestigious honors program (Plan II). Mr. Cozort was among the inaugural group of five students to receive the Texas Excellence Award from the Ex-Students Association of the University of Texas. Mr. Cozort earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Texas School of Law in 1989. Mr. Cozort has served as Faculty Member for the Texas Association of Defense Counsel’s Trial Academy and the National Institute of Trial Advocacy’s Deposition Skills Program. Mr. Cozort is admitted to practice before all Texas state and federal courts, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and also has been licensed to practice law in Colorado. Mr. Cozort has maintained an A.V. rating from Martindale Hubbell since 2004.
Mr. Cozort relishes practicing complex high states litigation, and particularly enjoys the challenges presented by trying catastrophic loss cases in adverse jurisdictions. Mr. Cozort recognizes that tireless preparation followed by a powerful but nuanced trial presentation, timely and informative communication and creative and cost efficient solutions to vexing problems are the keys to courtroom success and client satisfaction.