William P. Scarbrough serves as the firm's Chief Operating Officer. In this position, Bill oversees finances, facilities, human resources, marketing, technology, and business planning for all three of the firm's offices. He brings nearly 20 years of significant law firm experience to Smith Haughey, with expertise in office administration, financial management, and library and information services.

Bill began his law firm career in 1988 by conducting business, industry, biographical, bibliographic, statistical, legislative, and intellectual research for a large, Chicago-based firm. He was later responsible for setting up library and information services in the same firm's Los Angeles office. He then served as Information Services Manager for another Chicago-based firm, where he planned and implemented a firm-wide library management system. In 1994, Bill was named Information Services Director of an international law firm, where he reduced library shelving and workspace, and renegotiated and monitored preferred provider contracts. He later served as Chief Information Officer and London Office Administrator with that same firm. In those roles, he planned and implemented software and hardware upgrades, managed staff and expense budgets, created an international brochure and related promotional materials, and helped to establish English and German law practices. In 2002, he was named Executive Director of the Washington office of another internationally known law firm, and in 2005 he was named that same firm's Chief Operating Officer in New York, where he served prior to joining Smith Haughey.

Bill received his bachelor's degree in German and German Literature, master's degree in political science, and master's degree in information and library studies, all from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

In his spare time, Bill enjoys art, reading, music, hiking, kayaking and travel.

Education

• University of Michigan (B.A.)
• University of Michigan (M.A.)
• University of Michigan (M.L.I.S.)

• "Legal Process Outsourcing," Practice Innovations, March 2010
• "Practice Innovations: A Retrospective," Practice Innovations, January 2009
• "Improving Law Firm Performance through Enhanced Internal and External Analysis," Practice Innovations, June 2008 
• "Practicing Law in China," Practice Innovations, March 2005.
• "Shared Service Centers: Are Law Firms Ready for the Latest Corporate Trend?," Practice Innovations, March 2004.
• "The Global Expansion of Law Firms: An Update," Practice Innovations, July 2003.
• "Economic Slowdown as Opportunity for Greater Law Firm Efficiency: An Interview with Bradford W. Hildebrandt," Practice Innovations, March 2002.
• "Stephen E. Arnold, Arnold Information Technology: Innovator Profile," Practice Innovations, July 2001.

Smith Haughey Publications

News for William P. Scarbrough

7/27/2011
Flat Iron Building Undergoes Interior Renovation

8/25/2010
Smith Haughey to Move to Historic Flat Iron Building

11/26/2007
Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge Names New Chief Operating Officer

Professional Affiliations

• Member, Association of Legal Administrators
• Co-Editor, Practice Innovations

Community Affiliations

• German Instructor, Muskegon Community College 
• President-Elect, Board of Directors, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre 
• Member and Legacy Society Donor, Grand Rapids Art Museum
• Member, Arts Council of White Lake