As a summer clerk for a local entertainment attorney, second-year law student William Willingham is spending his summer preparing for a copyright infringement trial concerning a local rap group and some New York rappers. William’s firm is representing the local group known as the JackBoyz. The case centers around JackBoyz’s song Around Here that they regularly performed in their opening act in the clubs for Trick Daddy. Memphis Bleek later came out with Round Here featuring Trick Daddy. In addition to the nearly identical title and chorus, Round Here has similar lyrics and beat to Around Here. The JackBoyz song was also popular on underground radio stations while Memphis Bleek was living in Miami for over a year. The JackBoyz turned to William’s firm to sue Memphis Bleek, Trick Daddy, Rockafella Records, Island Def Jam Music Group, and Universal Distribution for copyright infringement. The case has provided William the opportunity to exercise his legal writing skills. He has drafted legal briefs, affidavits, and motions and recently he submitted a motion for a summary judgment to the court. The defendants have offered a settlement and in mid-July they will find out if the case is going to trial. “It’s been a lot of detective work. I’ve had to track down witnesses and several magazine writers to collect affidavits. I’ve assisted in numerous depositions and I just returned from my most recent one in Manhattan.”

Through his summer clerkship, William has also sat in on consultations regarding recording contracts for artists and record labels and he researched synchronization licenses for a popular Spanish language television show.

William is originally from Flint, Michigan. In 2001 he graduated with honors from Michigan State University with a B.S. in psychology and pre-medicine. He was a medical student at MSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine when he decided to make a career change. Now with his first year behind him, he has no second thoughts about his decision. “Realizing that one path you’ve chosen was incorrect and leaving it for another is a success not a failure. No matter what field you come from, law school can be exactly what you’ve been looking for to expand your personal growth. Contrary to popular belief, I have found law school to be an enjoyable experience. I have great classmates, students share their outlines, and there are never missing pages from books in the library.”

William is a member of the Entertainment Law Society, the Real Estate Society, the Maritime Law Society and a volunteer for V.I.T.A. (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). He spends his free time, listening to music, watching movies, and going to the beach.