William D. Coglianese (Bill)

Bill Coglianese develops winning litigation strategies and implements those strategies through briefing and oral advocacy at every stage of a case. His practice focuses on significant legal questions in complex civil cases.

Bill has litigated matters at every level of the federal judiciary, advancing his clients' interests in a broad array of subject matters. He recently argued a federal appeal on behalf of two hospital systems, successfully securing a precedential decision rejecting a request for more than $1 million in attorney's fees. He has defended companies against nationwide consumer class actions and has particular experience opposing claims asserted under the federal RICO statute. Bill also has defended companies whose mergers have been challenged by federal and state governmental authorities, briefing these matters at both the trial and appellate stages. In addition he has handled a range of constitutional matters including the representation of a group of public school teachers in a First Amendment challenge to the coerced payment of fees to public sector unions — a matter that Bill assisted with from the trial court all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. He also has devised and litigated constitutional and statutory challenges to federal regulatory action.

Bill maintains an active pro bono practice. He briefed and argued a habeas appeal before the Seventh Circuit, ultimately winning relief for the client. In other pro bono representations Bill has helped secure a $2 million verdict stemming from a wrongful police shooting, successfully defended a client against charges of criminal conspiracy, and won disability benefits for a Marine veteran.