William T. O’Connell III, MEMBER

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. O’Connell clerked for the Hon. Robert A. Coogan at the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, and served as a Deputy Attorney General for the State of New Jersey specializing in employment and civil rights defense. Mr. O’Connell’s practice areas include employment and civil rights defense, product liability, and insurance defense. He is named a 2021 Best Lawyers^®Lawyer for Civil Rights Law and Litigation – Labor and Employment. Mr. O’Connell is the manager of the firm’s associate training program.

Memberships

Colorado Bar Association

Denver Bar Association

Defense Research Institute: Governmental Liability Committee

Defense Research Institute: Lawyers’ Professionalism and Ethics Committee-Steering Committee, 2007-2012

Faculty of Federal Advocates

Publications

Co-Author, “Public Employers and Employees,” The Practitioner’s Guide to Colorado Employment Law, Chapter 16, 2012 Supplement

Co-Author, “Public Employers and Employees,” The Practitioner’s Guide to Colorado Employment Law, Chapter 16, 2010 Supplement

Co-Author, “Public Employers and Employees,” The Practitioner’s Guide to Colorado Employment Law, Chapter 16, 2008 Revised Edition

Co-Author, “GERA: The Stealth Provision of the Civil Rights Act of 1991,” DRI Governmental Liability Committee Newsletter, Fall 2006

Author, “Lessons from Lincoln: An Approach to Unprofessional Opposing Counsel,” The Whisper, Vol. 4, No. 6, June 2006

Co-Author, “The Deliberative Process Privilege: What Is It? When Can It Be Asserted? How Can This Shield Be Pierced?”, The Joan Fullam Privacy Project Phase II, International Association of Defense Counsel, 2004

Reported Cases

Teigen v. Renfrow, 511 F.3d 1072 (10th Cir. 2007); Lanhan v. Chi Psi Fraternity, 175 P.3d 97 (Colo. 2008)

Representative Experience

Achieved defense verdict for a driver involved in collision with a child bicyclist in state court action alleging negligence and negligence per se claims.
Achieved defense verdict for former public employee in state court action alleging wrongful death and outrageous conduct claims.
Achieved defense verdict for nightclub in state court action alleging negligent hiring and negligent supervision claims.
As trial team member, achieved defense verdict for public employer in federal court action alleging constructive discharge, breach of contract and violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and interference and retaliation under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Achieved summary judgment and award of costs in representation of a Colorado Sheriff in a federal court action alleging violations of Title VII, the First Amendment and 42 USC 1983.
Achieved summary judgment for taxi cab company in a state court action alleging negligence, negligent entrustment and negligent employment claims.

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Practice Areas

Education

Suffolk University School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 1997
Norwich University, B.S., cum laude, 1992

Licensure

William T. O’Connell was admitted to the New Jersey Bar in 1997 and the Colorado Bar in 2002. He is also admitted to practice before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States District Court for the Districts of New Jersey and Colorado.

Professional Affiliations and Activities

Colorado Bar Association
Colorado Defense Lawyers Association (CDLA)
Denver Bar Association
Defense Research Institute: Governmental Liability Committee
Defense Research Institute: Lawyers’ Professionalism and Ethics Committee-Steering Committee
Faculty of Federal Advocates