
William Gourlay Deas III, General Attorney in Dayton, Ohio
Over 54 years of legal practice · focused on General, Insurance, and Real Estate · 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
PartneratPorter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP
Dayton, OH
Practicing general in Dayton since 1972.
- 54+
- Years practicing
- 5.0 ★
- 1 client review
- 1
- Bar admission
Practices in
Are you William Gourlay Deas III?
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Quick answer
William Gourlay Deas III is a partner based in Dayton, OH. The practice focuses on General, Insurance, and Real Estate. William has over 54 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
- Based in
- Dayton, OH
- Experience
- over 54 years
- Known for
- General · Insurance · Real Estate
- Handles General, Insurance, and Real Estate matters from Dayton, OH.
- Over 54 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with AV Preeminent.
About William Gourlay Deas III: William Gourlay Deas III is a partner based in Dayton, OH. The practice focuses on General, Insurance, and Real Estate. William has over 54 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Areas of practice
Legal matters William takes on
William concentrates on general, insurance, and real estate. Each area below outlines the kind of case William handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
General
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Insurance
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Real Estate
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General cases in Dayton, Ohio
William takes general matters in Dayton, Ohio. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.
Insurance cases in Dayton, Ohio
William takes insurance matters in Dayton, Ohio. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.
Real Estate cases in Dayton, Ohio
William takes real estate matters in Dayton, Ohio. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.
Biography
Meet William Gourlay Deas III — general lawyer in Dayton
William Gourlay Deas III is a partner based in Dayton, OH. The practice focuses on General, Insurance, and Real Estate. William has over 54 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
William Gourlay Deas III is a lawyer practicing insurance fraud, finance, commerce and 1 other area of law. William received a B.S. degree from The Ohio State University in 1969, and has been licensed for 54 years. William practices at Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP in Dayton, OH.
William's approach to general cases
William Gourlay Deas III is a lawyer practicing insurance fraud, finance, commerce and 1 other area of law. William received a B.S. degree from The Ohio State University in 1969, and has been licensed for 54 years. William practices at Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP in Dayton, OH.
The kind of cases William takes
William reviews new inquiries case-by-case for general, insurance, and real estate matters in Dayton and the surrounding Ohio area.
Credentials
Education, bar admissions, and languages
University of Cincinnati
J.D. · 1972
The Ohio State University
B.S. · 1969
Jurisdictions
William's state bar admissions
Ohio
1972 · ACTIVE
William studied at J.D. in University of Cincinnati and B.S. in The Ohio State University.
Law school and academic background
William completed J.D. in University of Cincinnati and B.S. in The Ohio State University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice William runs in Ohio is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Recognition and thought leadership
William has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
AV Preeminent
Legal awards and honors
AV Preeminent.
Affiliations
William's professional memberships and bar associations
Dayton and Ohio State Bar Associations
membership
Locations
William Gourlay Deas III's office in Dayton
William's primary office is at One Dayton Centre, One South Main Street, Suite 1600, Dayton, OH, 45402-2028. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP
One Dayton Centre, One South Main Street, Suite 1600
Dayton, OH 45402-2028
Open in Google MapsClient feedback
Client reviews of William Gourlay Deas III — 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Every review below is from a verified client of William. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing general attorneys in Dayton.
5.0
1 client review
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once William Gourlay Deas III claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire William Gourlay Deas III — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new general attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with William usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
William charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain William's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; William will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a general attorney in Dayton, Ohio
A short list to run through before you commit: How many general matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for William
William discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in general practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every general matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. William confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
William's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many general practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about William Gourlay Deas III
How much does it cost to hire William for a general case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. William walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does William offer a free consultation?
William charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain William's office. Some general attorneys offer free consults — check William's current terms during booking.
How long do general cases in Ohio typically take?
Simple general matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. William gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can William take my case if I'm outside Dayton?
William is licensed in Ohio. Matters governed by Ohio law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — William will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with William?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. William will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is William accepting new general clients right now?
William's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
General attorneys serving Dayton, Columbus and Cleveland in Ohio
William handles general matters throughout Ohio. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified general attorneys in that community.
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