William (Billy) Thomas Mills, II is a mediator, former Alabama trial attorney, and civil litigation professional with nearly five decades of experience handling complex litigation throughout Alabama. He has been with Porterfield, Harper, Mills, Motlow & Ireland, P.A. since 1977.
His practice has included insurance defense litigation, medical malpractice, products liability, employment disputes, workers’ compensation matters, environmental litigation, class action defense, corporate liability, and high-exposure commercial and civil litigation.
Billy conducted his first mediation in September 2015. Since then, he has settled more than 1,000 closed matters through mediation. His substantial courtroom and appellate background allows him to help parties evaluate litigation risk, evidentiary issues, liability exposure, insurance considerations, and practical settlement opportunities.
His mediation work regularly involves insurance carriers, claims professionals, defense counsel, plaintiffs’ attorneys, corporate representatives, and medical and technical experts. His approach emphasizes practical problem-solving, realistic case evaluation, respectful negotiation, efficient dispute resolution, and informed assessment of litigation risk.
Billy has extensive appellate experience in Alabama and federal courts and has been involved in matters concerning insurance coverage, negligence and tort claims, employment matters, corporate liability, medical litigation, and commercial disputes.
He earned his J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1977, where he served as Outstanding Senior Editor of the Alabama Law Review. He earned his B.A. in Political Science, magna cum laude, from Birmingham-Southern College.
Billy is AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. His professional affiliations have also included the American Bar Association, Defense Research Institute, International Association of Defense Counsel, Alabama Defense Lawyers Association, Jefferson County Bar Association, Shelby County Bar Association, and Atlanta Claims Association.
His honors include recognition in Alabama Super Lawyers Magazine, recognition as a Top Attorney and Mediator in Alabama by Business Alabama, and Lawyer of the Year in 2000 by the Birmingham Legal Secretaries Association.
