Attorney William D. Bishop 

The founder of the firm, William D. Bishop, has been practicing law for over fifteen years. Mr. Bishop grew up in Oregon and obtained his Bachelor of Science degree at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon in 1984. Mr. Bishop graduated with honors and obtained double majors in both Political Science and Psychology.

While in college, Mr. Bishop received numerous scholarships and was a member of numerous honor societies including Mortor Board and Omicron Delta Kappa. Mr. Bishop received All-American and Academic All-American Wrestling honors during college. Mr. Bishop brings this same dedication and competitive nature to the court room.

Mr. Bishop graduated from Arizona State University College Of Law in 1989. During law school, Mr. Bishop graduated in the top portion of his class, and was selected as a member of the National Moot Court Team. Mr. Bishop received the honor of the Order Of Barristers for outstanding oral advocacy.

After law school, Mr. Bishop worked for large downtown law firms and practiced in the areas of commercial litigation and family law. Since then, Mr. Bishop has focused primarily in the area of family law. Mr. Bishop's background and commercial litigation experience has given him an advantage over many other family law attorneys with regard to complicated financial and property issues.

Unlike many attorneys, Mr. Bishop does not shy away from contested custody cases. Mr. Bishop's background as a psychology major and his self-fulfillment from assisting people with regard to custody and visitation issues assist him in dealing with custody issues head on. When necessary, Mr. Bishop often involves psychologists in the custody process, especially when the other parent has certain psychological issues or is attempting to alienate the children against his client.

Mr. Bishop receives numerous referrals from other family law attorneys and attorneys who practice in other areas. Mr. Bishop receives referrals in numerous complex and high conflict cases as a result of his reputation as a professional, but very thorough and assertive trial attorney.

Certified Family Law Specialist

William D. Bishop is a Certified Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization and a preeminent rated lawyer in Martindale-Hubbell listings.

Approximately 80 attorneys (as of 2007) throughout the State of Arizona have attained the distinction as Certified Family Law Specialists although there are thousands of attorneys in Arizona that practice family law to some degree.

To obtain such certification and distinction, Certified Family Law Specialists must demonstrate to the State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization that:

1. They have substantial experience in the area of family law.
2. They possess a high degree of competence in the practice of family law.
3. They have knowledge and experience substantially higher than that possessed by a general practitioner who regularly handles family law matters.
4. They have established a high degree of skill, thoroughness, preparation, effectiveness, professionalism and judgment in the field of family law.
5. They have provided references from other family law attorneys and judges that substantiate such levels of skill.
6. They have passed a detailed test that establishes a thorough knowledge of complex issues in the field.
   

Memberships and Chairs

Mr. Bishop was the 2004 Chairperson of the Maricopa County Bar Association Family Law Section. He is currently an attorney liason for the Superior Court Mental Health Committee, which is comprised of many of Arizona's Custody Evaluators and Family Court Advisors. In addition, Mr. Bishop has also chaired and spoken at a number of seminars for both attorneys and the public.