As the principal of Will Fitzpatrick PC, Will is sought out by high net worth individuals, family offices and foundations seeking to accelerate the impact of their philanthropy and to integrate for profit investing and advocacy work into more traditional grant-making philanthropy.
Will has supported Pam and Pierre Omidyar’s philanthropic endeavors around the world for the past 11 years. In 2005, Will was instrumental in conceiving and implementing Omidyar Network’s novel legal structure. Comprised of both a private foundation and a for-profit (LLC) entity, Omidyar Network is a philanthropic platform that makes both grants and for profit investments with a singular mission, an integrated governance structure, and one staff. Will also serves as counsel and a founding board member of First Look Media, Pierre Omidyar’s reimagined approach to journalism for the digital age, combining the power of fearless reporting with the promise of technological innovation. In addition, Will serves as a board member to the Democracy Fund, a bipartisan foundation established by Pierre Omidyar to help ensure that the American people come first in our democracy, and to Humanity United Action, founded by Pam Omidyar to change the systems that contribute to problems like human trafficking, mass atrocities, and violent conflict.
Will has a strong background as a technology and business lawyer who is committed to innovative social change. His experience is rooted in years at a law firm and running independent law practices for diverse technology firms, including Google, Electronic Arts, and OpsWare, among others.
Will began his career as a clerk for Federal Judge Myron Thompson. He also worked for Bryan Stevenson and the Equal Justice Initiative, for a nonprofit providing post-conviction legal assistance to death row inmates.
Will earned his J.D. from Columbia University and graduated with honors from Harvard College with a bachelor’s degree in American history and literature.
Education
J.D., Columbia School of Law (1994)
B.A., Harvard College (1989)
William Fitzpatrick is not teaching any Law courses in Fall 2024.