Bill Killian

About Bill Killian

Presidentially appointed, Senate confirmed as the United States Attorney of Eastern District of Tennessee. I served as the chief law enforcement officer for the judicial district of over 2.6 million people. My responsibilities included representing the United States of America in Criminal and Civil matters. Managed and supervised over 100 employees. Successfully prosecuted and convicted corporations and individuals for financial fraud and health care fraud, as well as violent criminals and several cases with national security implications. Negotiated the largest criminal settlement in the history of the Eastern District of Tennessee ($92 million). Directed the mediation of the largest health care fraud civil settlement. While serving as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee investigated and intercepted a shipment of nearly 70 counterfeit airbags from a Chinese manufacturer. Efforts resulted in investigations and/or prosecutions in 30 federal districts within the U.S. and on four continents. Lead or sole counsel in several hundred civil and criminal jury trials, non-jury trials, and matters in numerous states, federal jurisdictions, and appellate courts. Investigated and convicted two former engineers of stealing trade secrets from their previous employer, an American multinational tire manufacturer. Defendants were convicted and served prison sentences. Investigated and directed the prosecution of cases of national security interest, including but not limited to, foreign national scientists who were trying to sell nuclear secrets from a U.S. utility company to China. I was certified by the National Board of Trial Advocates in both civil and criminal trial law for 15 years prior to my service as United States Attorney. I was recertified every five years. Implemented a secret detection system, the bottle tracking program devised by a drug manufacturer to detect opioids being robbed from pharmacies. This detection system was responsible for the detection and successful prosecution of several armed robberies of pharmacies throughout East Tennessee. During my tenure as United States Attorney, there was substantial reduction in opioid robberies of pharmacies due to this program. We were one of the pioneer U.S. Attorney districts to implement the program. Served for over 4 years as co-counsel to Branstetter, Stranch & Jennings in opioid litigation in Tennessee, and in various federal and bankruptcy courts nationwide, against various manufacturers, distributors, prescribers, and retailers of opioid pills.

Experience

1. of Counsel

   Rockridge B Corp Law

   May 2021 — Present

Education

• University of Tennessee-Knoxville

  Juris Doctor (J.D.), Law

  1971 — 1974

• University of Tennessee, Knoxville

  Bachelor's degree, Political Science and Government

  1967 — 1974