Wilson M. Dunlavey represents consumers, government entities, small businesses, workers, fishers, members of the armed services, and residents in complex litigation in federal and state courts. Mr. Dunlavey has focused on environmental torts, consumer fraud, breach of contract, and product liability cases. His is regularly appointed to leadership positions by federal district court judges and recognized by fellow members of the Plaintiffs’ bar for his creativity and tenacity. In just eleven years of practice, Mr. Dunlavey has changed company practices and recovered over $16 billion for his clients.

Among his many active cases, Mr. Dunlavey is member of the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in a proposed nationwide class action against Kalshi in the Southern District of New York. Plaintiffs allege that Kalshi operates an unlicensed and illegal sports book that masquerades as a prediction market. Mr. Dunlavey is also part of the leadership team in a similar proposed nationwide class action pending in the Southern District of New York against Underdog Fantasy. Plaintiffs allege Underdog operates an unlicensed, illegal sportsbook that masquerades as a fantasy sports platform.

Mr. Dunlavey currently represents the State of California against Big Oil in arguably the most significant environmental litigation ever. They seek to hold Exxon, Shell, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, BP, and the American Petroleum Institute accountable for the decades of deception regarding the impact of climate change.

Mr. Dunlavey is part of the leadership team representing marines and their families seeking accountability for the poisonous water they consumed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.

Mr. Dunlavey is co-lead counsel in a class action in federal court in the Western District of Michigan, where he represents residents of Benton Harbor, Michigan, who allegedly drank poisonous water for years as a result of systemic failures by the City of Benton Harbor and other entities.

Mr. Dunlavey’s past successes include, in rough reverse order, a $237.5 million dollar settlement reached in 2024 on behalf of U.S. vehicle owners with Hino Motor Company for misrepresenting their emissions and exceeding regulatory limits; a $70 million dollar settlement reached in 2024 on behalf of property owners with a pipeline company arising out of an oil spill in Santa Barbara; a $95 million dollar settlement reached in 2023 on behalf of fishers, property owners, and local businesses with a pipeline company and shipping companies arising out of the 2021 Oil Spill in Huntington Beach, California; a $230 million dollar settlement reached in 2022 on behalf of property owners and fishers with Plains Pipeline Company arising out of the 2015 Santa Barbara Oil Spill; a $1.8 billion dollar settlement reached in 2021 on behalf of Los Angeles area residents with Sempra Energy Corporation arising out of the largest methane leak in U.S. history in Porter Ranch, California in 2016; and a series of settlements on behalf of vehicle owners against Volkswagen, Porsche, and Audi in 2022, 2019, 2018, and 2017 arising out of the 2015 “Clean Diesel” Scandal.

Mr. Dunlavey’s pro bono practice includes successfully representing unaccompanied Central American minors in obtaining immigration relief and successfully representing individuals who have been unlawfully detained by ICE.

His hobbies include backpacking, urban gardening, and singing nursery rhymes with his children on the streets of New York City.

Long form bio (click to open pdf).