Bradley
Blogs Our Story Careers Locations
Insights & Events Services People

William C. Athanas

Partner
bathanas@bradley.com
Birmingham P: 205.521.8996 F: 205.521.8800
Washington, D.C. P: 202.393.7150 F: 202.347.1684
Download V-Card
|
Print My Bio
  • Biography
  • Experience
  • Insights & Events
  • Blogs
  • Accolades
  • You May Not Know
News
  • Bradley Partner Bill Athanas Selected as Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America
    6/2/2025
    Accolade
  • Bradley and Four Attorneys Recognized in JD Supra’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards
    3/3/2025
    Accolade
  • 34 Bradley Attorneys Honored as "Lawyer of the Year" in 2025 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America
    8/21/2024
    Firm News
Publications
  • Immigration Enforcement on Worksites Newly Challenges Employers
    2/12/2025
    Bloomberg Law
    Authored Article
  • False Claims Act: 2024 Year in Review
    2/5/2025
    Government Enforcement Update
    Client Alert
  • The defense of involvement — as opposed to advice — of counsel
    3/26/2024
    Reuters Legal News
    Authored Article
Past Events
  • Preparing for ICE Raids and Cracking the Code of Form I-9 Compliance: Legal Insights and Best Practices for Employers
    5/15/2025
    Breakfast with Bradley Q2 2025
    Webinar
Area(s) of Focus
  • Government Enforcement & Investigations
  • Litigation
  • Suffolk University Law School, J.D., 1995, cum laude
  • University of New Hampshire, B.S., 1992
  • Alabama
  • Colorado
  • Massachusetts
  • District of Columbia
  • New Hampshire
  • United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
  • United States District Court, Northern District of Alabama
  • United States District Court, Middle District of Alabama
  • United States District Court, Southern District of Alabama
  • United States District Court, District of Colorado

Alabama State Bar

Criminal Justice Section, White Collar Crime Committee, Chair, 2014-Present

Alabama Bar Association

International Law Section, Chair, 2011-Present

Accolades

Chambers USA 2025 Badge

2025 Best Lawyers Badge

LOY Bill Athanas 2025

Super Lawyers 2024 Badge

JD Supra Readers' Choice Top Author 2025 Badge

Litigation Counsel of America

Birmingham Bar Foundation, Fellow Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow Listed in Chambers USA Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, 2024-2025 Litigation: General Commercial, 2019-2023 Healthcare, 2023-2024 Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® “Lawyer of the Year,” Birmingham, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, 2023, 2025 Criminal Defense: White-Collar, 2019-2025 Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement, 2022-2025 Bet-the-Company Litigation, 2022-2025 Listed in Mid-South Super Lawyers, 2013-2023 “Top 50 Birmingham,” 2023 Criminal Defense: White Collar, 2024 JD Supra Readers' Choice Award, “Top 10 Author,” White-Collar Defense, 2025 Listed in B-Metro, “Top Lawyers,” White Collar Criminal Defense, 2018 Defended client in enforcement proceeding filed by Alabama Department of Insurance. After filing an answer that identified the legal and factual flaws in the department’s case – which expressed an intention to call the investigating agent, assigned attorney and commissioner as witnesses at the disciplinary hearing – the Department of Insurance voluntarily dismissed the matter. Served as pro bono co-counsel to a defendant charged with conspiracy and wire fraud in the Northern District of Alabama. Government agreed that the motion to dismiss time-barred wire fraud counts was correct and due to be granted, and later conceded that the conspiracy count was flawed as well under precedent prohibiting reliance on overt acts occurring outside the statute of limitations. The entire case was dismissed against the client, and the government also dismissed the case against two co-defendants (one of whom had already pled guilty). Advised large engineering company regarding disclosure obligations under federal regulations relating to federal grant funds. Represented an insurance broker indicted on eight felony charges, including insurance fraud and identity theft. Conducted investigation that demonstrated investigating agent had misrepresented witness statements, which resulted in prosecutor dismissing the indictment with prejudice. Represented an individual charged with fraud and commercial bribery in sentencing proceedings in the Eastern District of Louisiana. Served as pro bono co-counsel to defendant charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Alabama in large drug trafficking prosecution. Matter dismissed following presentation to government regarding flaws in allegations. Represented a large manufacturer in defense of an FLSA enforcement action filed by the U.S. Department of Labor and pending in the Middle District of Alabama. Represented the former presidentially appointed Region 4 administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in defense of alleged violations of the Alabama Ethics Act. Served as pro bono co-counsel to defendant charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Alabama with illegal firearm possession. Matter dismissed following filing of motion to suppress, which the government conceded was correct. Represented individuals in connection with public corruption grand jury investigations conducted by the Alabama Attorney General's Office and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Alabama. Represented a large publicly traded client in connection with a grand jury investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia. Represented a genetics laboratory in connection with a grand jury investigation conducted by the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama. Represented a former high-level official in connection with an investigation of federal "revolving door" statute. Following submission of lengthy whitepaper, prosecution declined and matter closed. Represented an individual in connection with a grand jury investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia involving public corruption. Represented a publicly traded client in connection with a grand jury investigation conducted by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida that focused on vendor's violation of federal tax laws. Represented an individual in connection with a criminal investigation being conducted by the Department of Justice Antitrust Division; matter concluded without client being charged. Represented employees of an engineering firm in connection with grand jury investigations conducted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Alabama and the Alabama Attorney General's Office. Represented a healthcare provider in defense of an indictment returned in a large federal public corruption investigation in the Western District of Arkansas. Represented an individual in connection with a nationwide Department of Justice criminal investigation of automobile emissions testing of automobiles. Represented then-governor of Alabama in connection with state and federal criminal investigations and inquiry being conducted by Alabama Ethics Commission. Represented a healthcare provider identified as target of a federal grand jury investigation conducted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Alabama. Prepared lengthy submission demonstrating that allegations were ill-founded; matter closed without any charges filed against client. Represented an individual in a criminal case and civil False Claims Act investigation in connection with federal healthcare services. The criminal case closed without any charges filed, and the FCA investigation settled on favorable terms. Represented employees of a pharmacy chain in connection with a grand jury investigation conducted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Alabama regarding alleged unlawful distribution of Schedule II controlled substances. Represented a pain management practice in a federal grand jury investigation conducted by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana (criminal) and a civil False Claims Act investigation conducted by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York; both matters closed without any action taken against client. Represented a financial institution officer identified as a target in a federal criminal investigation in the Northern District of Alabama relating to alleged nominee loans; matter closed with no charges filed against client. Represented a medical practice in a federal investigation of potential violations of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act relating to alleged importation of unapproved and misbranded medications. The criminal investigation was conducted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Matter closed with no charges filed. Represented multiple corporate entities in ongoing federal grand jury investigation in the Northern District of Alabama regarding alleged improper receipt of federal grant funds. Advised a management service company regarding a federal grand jury investigation of a dermatology practice for whom it provided management services. Represented a pain management clinic named as a target of a criminal investigation conducted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Alabama. The matter closed with no charges. Represented a former CEO of a local produce company charged in the Northern District of Alabama with federal fraud and tax offenses. Represented an individual charged with conspiracy, wire fraud and healthcare fraud in the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Search by Last Name
  1. a
  2. b
  3. c
  4. d
  5. e
  6. f
  7. g
  8. h
  9. i
  10. j
  11. k
  12. l
  13. m
  14. n
  15. o
  16. p
  17. q
  18. r
  19. s
  20. t
  21. u
  22. v
  23. w
  24. x
  25. y
  26. z
Insights & Events
  • Awards & Recognitions
  • Authored Articles
  • Events
  • Firm Alerts
  • Insights
  • Media Mentions
  • Press Releases
Careers
  • Careers
  • Law Students
  • Lateral Lawyers
  • Professional Staff
Offices
  • Atlanta
  • Birmingham
  • Charlotte
  • Chattanooga
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • Huntsville
  • Jackson
  • Knoxville
  • Montgomery
  • Nashville
  • Tampa
  • Washington, D.C.
Our Story
  • Overview
  • Services
  • Diversity
  • Women's Initiative
  • Pro Bono
  • Community Impact
  • Accolades
Our Blogs
  • Budding Trends
  • BuildSmart
  • Business Divorce
  • Eye on Enforcement
  • Financial Services Perspectives
  • IP IQ
  • It Pays to Be Covered
  • Labor & Employment Insights
  • Online and On Point

Learn about the latest news, announcements and upcoming events on the topics that are important to you and your business.

Subscribe to Mailing Lists
  • CLIENT EXTRANET
  • CONTACT
  • LEGAL DISCLAIMER
  • CCPA/CPRA & VCDPA Notice of Collection, Disclosure, & Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • REMOTE ACCESS
  • ALUMNI
  • World Services Group
  • ATTORNEY ADVERTISING
  • ©2025 BRADLEY ARANT BOULT CUMMINGS LLP