Judge William A. Dreier practices in the areas of mediation and arbitration.
In his 25 years in the New Jersey State Judiciary, Judge Dreier was a presiding judge of the Appellate Division from 1994 through 1998. He had served in the Appellate Division since 1983, and in the Chancery Division and the Law Division of the Superior Court beginning in 1973. He has authored approximately 380 published legal opinions.
Judge Dreier is an authority on commercial litigation and ADR. He authored the state text on arbitration law, New Jersey Arbitration Handbook (2013-2017), published by the New Jersey Law Journal, as well as nine editions of the state’s principal text on Chancery Practice from 1983 to 2014, and earlier texts on Secured Financing.
Recognized as one of the nation’s leading experts on products liability, Judge Dreier authored New Jersey Products Liability and Toxic Tort Law (Gann Law Books), which has been published annually since 1995 as a successor to seven editions with supplements published by NJICLE since 1977. Also the author of several other books and over 50 law review and journal articles, he has lectured in New Jersey and nationally on products liability, commercial law, and ADR in law school symposia, NJICLE programs, and as coordinator and lecturer for ALI-ABA national products liability programs.
As an arbitrator and mediator, Judge Dreier was chosen as a fellow of the College of Commercial Arbitrators and is a member of the New Jersey Panel of Distinguished Neutrals, the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR), the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, and the AAA National Panels of Mediators and Commercial, Complex Cases, Class Actions, and Wireless Telecommunications Arbitrators, and as an International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and International Centre for Dispute Resolution® (ICDR) Arbitrator. He is a Certified Mediator for the U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, a member of the International Mediation Institute, and accredited CEDR (U.K.). He has been approved as an arbitrator in several class action arbitrations and numerous other complex national arbitrations.
Judge Dreier has also served as a court-appointed mediator in complex litigations. He is a member (Emeritus) of the Columbia Law School Board of Visitors, the editorial board of the New Jersey Law Journal, and the American Law Institute, and a former Chair of the NJICLE Board of Trustees.
Judge Dreier received a New Jersey Law Journal 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as the 2008 Medal of Honor, the highest honor awarded to an attorney by the New Jersey State Bar Foundation. He also received the New Jersey State Bar’s 2010 ADR Practitioner of the Year award and the 1983 Alfred C. Clapp NJICLE Award for Excellence in Continuing Legal Education, and was the initial recipient of the eponymous William A. Dreier Award for Excellence in Product Liability Law from the New Jersey State Bar Association Product Liability Section (2009). He has been regularly included in the Alternative Dispute Resolution section of The Best Lawyers in America and New Jersey Super Lawyers. He was named the Best Lawyers Arbitration “Lawyer of the Year” in the Woodbridge New Jersey Metro Area in 2018 and 2016, and is listed in Who’s Who in America.
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Seven Norris McLaughlin Attorneys Recognized by New Jersey Super Lawyers
Three Norris McLaughlin Attorneys Named 2020 Best Lawyers® “Lawyers of the Year” in Woodbridge Area
Fifteen Norris McLaughlin Attorneys Named to 2020 Best Lawyers® List
Seven Norris McLaughlin Attorneys Recognized by New Jersey Super Lawyers 2019
Nineteen Norris McLaughlin Attorneys Named to 2019 Best Lawyers® List
Nine Norris McLaughlin Attorneys Recognized by New Jersey Super Lawyers 2018
Three Norris McLaughlin Attorneys Named Best Lawyers 2018 “Lawyers of the Year”
Fifteen Norris McLaughlin Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in Best Lawyers
Thirteen Norris McLaughlin Attorneys Recognized by New Jersey Super Lawyers 2017
Fourteen Norris McLaughlin, P.A. Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in Best Lawyers
Thirteen Norris McLaughlin Attorneys Recognized by New Jersey Super Lawyers 2016
Five Norris McLaughlin, P.A. Attorneys Named Best Lawyers 2016 “Lawyers of the Year”
Fifteen Norris McLaughlin Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in Best Lawyers
New Jersey Law Journal Awards William A. Dreier Lifetime Achievement Award
Twelve Norris McLaughlin Attorneys Recognized by New Jersey Super Lawyers
Fourteen Norris McLaughlin Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in Best Lawyers
Fifteen Norris McLaughlin Attorneys Recognized by New Jersey Super Lawyers 2014
Fourteen Norris McLaughlin Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in Best Lawyers
Judge Dreier Arbitration Calendar
Fifteen Norris McLaughlin Attorneys Recognized by New Jersey Super Lawyers
Twenty-Eight Norris McLaughlin, P.A. Attorneys Named Among Best Lawyers
William A. Dreier Elected As Fellow of the College of Commercial Arbitrators
Eighteen Norris McLaughlin Attorneys Recognized by New Jersey Super Lawyers
William A. Dreier Is Honored as ADR Practitioner of the Year
Nineteen Norris McLaughlin Attorneys Named Among Best Lawyers
William A. Dreier Is First Recipient of Annual Award To Be Named After Him
William A. Dreier Lectures On Advance Civil Mediation Skills
Seventeen Norris McLaughlin, P.A. Members Named Among Best Lawyers In America
New Jersey State Bar Foundation Recognizes Honorable William A. Dreier
William A. Dreier Will Speak At Advanced Mediation Clinic
William A. Dreier Will Speak At Product Liability Dinner Program
William A. Dreier to Speak About Hot Topics in Chancery Trial Practice
Seventeen Norris McLaughlin Members Named Among Best Lawyers In America
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Judge William A. Dreier has earned the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® status. A description of the selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
William A. Dreier was selected to the 2021 Super Lawyers list. The Super Lawyers List is issued by Thompson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
William A. Dreier was selected to the 2021 Best Lawyers® list. A description of the selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
William A. Dreier was selected to the 2018 Best Lawyers® Lawyer of The Year list. A description of the selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
William A. Dreier was selected to the 2021 Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year list in Woodbridge Area. A description of the selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
2015 Lifetime Achievement Award, 2008 Medal of Honor, 2010 ADR Practitioner of the Year, 1983 Alfred C. Clapp NJICLE Award for Excellence in Continuing Legal Education, 2009 William A. Dreier Award for Excellence in Product Liability