FORT LAUDERDALE, FL
614 South Federal Highway
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
Fax: (954) 463-9244
William R. Scherer: Leading Commercial Litigation Attorney
William R. Scherer co-founded Conrad & Scherer in 1974 with his late partner, Rex Conrad. Over five decades, he has expanded the firm into one of Florida’s most recognized law firms, with offices in New York, North Carolina, and Ecuador.
Extensive Trial Experience
Mr. Scherer has held the AV® Preeminent™ Peer Rating by Martindale-Hubbell® since 1987. He has handled more than 100 trials in both state and federal courts, including both jury and non-jury cases. His cases have gained attention from CNN, CNBC, and MSNBC. He has also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Miami Herald. Known for his courtroom strategy and results, Mr. Scherer is a seasoned commercial litigation expert.
Notable Legal Victories
Mr. Scherer led the legal fight for victims of Scott Rothstein’s Ponzi scheme. He secured one of the largest settlements in U.S. history. The case returned one of the highest percentages of recovered funds for Ponzi scheme victims. The media called it a “landmark” case and a major victory for his clients.
In 2005, Mr. Scherer won one of the largest jury-awarded damages in Broward County. The case involved the sale of a health insurance company.
Key Role in the Chiquita Dispute
Mr. Scherer played a pivotal role in the complex litigation involving Chiquita Brands International, filing the first of many lawsuits against the company. These lawsuits alleged that Chiquita made payments to Colombian paramilitary groups. His leadership in filing the first suit set the stage for a prolonged and high-profile legal battle. Mr. Scherer’s deep expertise in international and corporate litigation proved essential in navigating this protracted dispute, which drew significant attention in the legal community.
Role in the 2000 Presidential Election
Mr. Scherer represented President George W. Bush in the 2000 Presidential Election recount. He led a team of lawyers and handled the Broward County recount, solidifying his reputation as a skilled litigation attorney in high-pressure, politically sensitive cases.
Government Representation
Mr. Scherer has also served as General Counsel for the North Broward Hospital District. He oversaw legal matters for one of the largest public healthcare systems in the U.S. His leadership helped guide the District through legal challenges and lawsuits.
Early Legal Career
Mr. Scherer began his legal career clerking for the Indiana Supreme Court and later for the Honorable Charles Fulton, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Mr. Scherer’s commitment to justice, paired with his unmatched trial experience and ability to handle complex cases, has earned him a leading position in commercial litigation.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT / AFFILIATIONS
- General Council for North Broward Hospital District – 1988 to 2005 (17 years)
- American Board of Trial Advocates, Member/“Advocate”
- Broward Workshop, Board Member
- Broward County Ethics Commission
- City of Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority, Board Member
- Franklin College Board of Trustees
- Judicial Nominating Commission for the Seventeenth Circuit, Gubernatorial Appointee (Governor Martinez, Governor Bush and Governor Scott)
- Judicial Nominating Commission for the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Gubernatorial Appointee (Governor Bush)
- Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Interim General Counsel, Gubernatorial Appointee (Governor Bush)
- Florida Lawyers for Bush, Statewide Co-Chair
- Florida Lawyers for Bush, Broward and Palm Beach County Chair
- Federal Bar, Grievance Panel for the Southern District of Florida
- Florida Patient Compensation Fund, Board of Directors
- Federal Bar Association, Broward County Chapter, Past President
AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS
- Recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” for Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions in Plaintiffs in Fort Lauderdale by The Best Lawyers in America©, 2025
- Recognized as a Best Lawyer in legal Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs for The Best Lawyers in America©, 2025
- Recognized as a Best Lawyer in Commercial Litigation for The Best Lawyers in America©, 2018 – 2025
- Recognized as a Best Lawyer in Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Plaintiffs for The Best Lawyers in America©, 2022-2025
- Recognized as a Best Lawyer in Land Use and Zoning Law for The Best Lawyers in America©, 2023 – 2025
- AV® Preeminent™ Peer Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, since 1987
- Listed in Super Lawyers®, “Super Lawyer”, 2006 – 2018, 2020 – 2022
- Selected as a “Top Lawyer” by Fort Lauderdale Illustrated Magazine for Business Litigation & Commercial Litigation, 2021
- Selected as a “Top Lawyer” by Fort Lauderdale Illustrated Magazine for Mass Tort Litigation & Class Action, 2020 – 2021
- Listed in South Florida Legal Guide, “Top Lawyer” for Commercial Litigation, 2006 – 2021
- Listed as one of the “FACES of Fort Lauderdale” in High-Stakes Litigation by Fort Lauderdale Illustrated Magazine, 2021
- Listed in Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, “Florida Legal Elite”, 2004, 2010, 2014 and 2020
- Recognized as an “Apogee Award Honoree” by South Florida Business & Wealth, 2020
- Listed as one of the “FACES of Fort Lauderdale” in Complex Commercial Litigation by Fort Lauderdale Illustrated Magazine, 2019 – 2020
- Recognized as an “Ultimate CEO” by the South Florida Business Journal, 2013
- Listed in VerdictSearch’s, “Top 100 Verdicts of 2005”, 2005
- Recognized as “Most Effective Lawyer” by the Daily Business Review, 2005 and 2012
- Profiled as a “Power Broker” by the Sun-Sentinel Newspaper, 2002
- Listed as one of “The 50 Most Powerful People in Broward County” by Gold Coast Magazine, 2002
- Profiled as a “Political Power Broker” by Gold Coast Magazine, 2002
PUBLICATIONS/TEACHING & SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
- C5’s 3rd Forum “Fraud, Asset Tracing and Recovery,” Miami Beach, Florida, Speaker, “Miami Vice—Unraveling the $1.2 Billion Rothstein Ponzi Scheme,” October 2012
- American Board of Trial Advocates and the Fort Lauderdale Chapter of ABOTA “Masters In Opening Statements and Closing Arguments”, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Speaker, May 2011
- BankAtlantic Attorney Seminar, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Speaker, “Unraveling a Ponzi Scheme,” October 2010
- Boys and Girls Club of Broward County Men’s Luncheon, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Featured Speaker, “The Ponzi in its Aftermath,” April 2010
- William R. Scherer Jr., Directors and Officers Face Liability – Check Your D&O Insurance Now, Smart Business – Broward/Palm Beach, April 2005 at 14.
- William R. Scherer Jr., Vital Reforms – Why Everyone Needs to Pay Attention to Proposed Medicaid Reforms, Smart Business – Broward/Palm Beach, March 2005, at 24.
- William R. Scherer, Jr., Medicaid Reform – A Call to Action, South Florida Hospital News, March 2005.
- William R. Scherer Jr., Editorial, Recommended Reforms Must Pass in Session, South Fla. Sun Sentinel, June 16, 2003, at 21A.
- William R. Scherer Jr., Sovereign Immunity in Indiana- Requiem 6 Ind. L. Rev. 92 (1972).
