Cooley Adds to Litigation Bench With Leading Trial Lawyer

San Diego – January 29, 2018 – William O’Connor has joined Cooley as a partner in the litigation department, based in San Diego. O’Connor previously headed Morrison & Foerster’s San Diego litigation department and chaired the firm’s UAS/drones group and airports & aviation practice. O’Connor’s broad experience includes commercial disputes, trials and arbitrations with a focus on product liability, aviation disputes, patent license agreements, supply contracts, partnerships, real estate and insurance coverage.

“As our global litigation bench grows in stature, we’re strengthening our core by adding talented and proven next-generation trial lawyers,” said Mike Attanasio, chair of Cooley’s global litigation department. “Bill fits this profile perfectly. He has a stellar record of client service paired with significant trial experience, having first-chaired matters covering all aspects of complex commercial litigation. We’re thrilled to have him.”

A seasoned trial lawyer, O’Connor deals with the nuances of commercial litigation, product liability and cutting-edge aviation-related litigation and regulatory matters, including drones. As an experienced pilot, he is also well versed in the technical aspects of aviation litigation with broad experience in all aspects of the industry. In addition to being repeatedly recognized by Chambers USA, The Legal 500 and Best Lawyers in America for product liability and aviation litigation, O’Connor was named to the Daily Journal’s 2015 Top 20 Under 40 list.

“There is a real momentum behind Cooley’s litigation platform,” O’Connor said. “Cooley’s trial teams are second to none, and I am enthusiastic about the substantial opportunities we can offer current and future clients together. It’s an exciting time to join this great firm.” 

Cooley’s litigation strengths have been recognized across a suite of global industry publications, including BTI Consulting Group, which named Cooley a Litigation Powerhouse in five categories, and The Lawyer, which again recognized Cooley’s litigation growth and outstanding advocacy in its annual Global Litigation 50 report. Law360 has also heralded Cooley as a “go-to” firm for its litigation work, ranking it among the elite US law firms on its Litigation Powerhouse list. The American Lawyer recently recognized Cooley as an Honorable Mention in its biennial Litigation Department of the Year contest, saying, “Cooley’s push to be the top firm at the intersection of law and technology is paying off.”

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