Bill Gray has been elected to all four of the pre-eminent, peer-selected trial lawyer organizations: the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Society of Barristers, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). These groups are seriously selective–by way of example, the International Society of Barristers has a fellowship limited to 650 active fellows in the world; the International Academy of Trial Lawyers has a fellowship limited to 500 active fellows in the world. Only two other practicing Colorado lawyers have been invited to fellowship in all four of these organizations. Fellowship in each is restricted to those considered by their peers to be among the finest in their profession. Bill served as national President of the International Society of Barristers in 2008.

In 1985, Bill was presented with the American College of Trial Lawyers’ Award for Courageous Advocacy. At that time the Award had only been conferred four times in more than 30 years. One previous recipient of this award was Leon Jaworski, for his service as the Watergate Special Prosecutor.

Listed in The Best Lawyers in America for more than 15 years, Bill was named "Best Lawyers’ Denver Area Personal Injury Litigator of the Year" for 2011. Bill was the first Colorado attorney to receive this award.

Most recently, in April Bill successfully represented a client in winning the largest Boulder personal injury verdict in the last 25 years.

Bill served on the Colorado Supreme Court attorney Grievance committee for six years, two as chair. This committee heard complaints about lawyer misconduct, conducted hearings, and recommended or imposed professional discipline where appropriate. He continues to serve the Colorado attorney regulation system as a hearing board member in trials alleging lawyer misconduct. Bill also was appointed by the Colorado Supreme Court to serve as a special prosecutor.

In 1995 Bill was presented with the Colorado Bar Association Professionalism Award. In 2003, Bill, who primarily handles plaintiff’s cases, was given an award by the Colorado Defense Lawyers’ Association– "For the highest Standards of Competence, Ethics and Professionalism." This award is only given to one attorney a year.

Bill grew up in Boulder. His education was entirely in Boulder as well–grade school, high school, college and law school. He worked many part time jobs to pay his own way through college and law school. He served for three years as a Deputy District Attorney – two years in Pueblo, Colorado and one year in Boulder. In 1970 Bill joined with John Purvis in forming the first Colorado State Public Defender’s Office in Boulder, where he served for three years. Bill has been lead counsel on many of the most highly publicized criminal and civil cases in Colorado.

Since joining with John Purvis and previous partners in 1985 to found the firm now known as Purvis Gray Thomson, LLP, Bill has devoted himself to civil litigation only, and focuses his efforts on representing seriously harmed plaintiffs. His non-professional interests include his family, lifelong learning, CU football and restoring old motorcycles.