William O'Connor

Bill O’Connor is a trial lawyer with significant experience in business litigation, insurance coverage disputes, high-stakes aviation cases and product compliance litigation.

Commercial Litigation and Insurance Experience

Bill’s 20 years of litigation experience includes the trial and arbitration of commercial disputes relating to real estate, partnerships, patent license agreements, supply contracts and insurance and reinsurance. His six-month secondment to the general counsel team of Amlin, PLC, the largest Lloyd’s insurer in the London market, has given him particular insight into the international insurance industry, and Bill routinely advises clients on risk management issues. Bill serves on the Board of Governors for the San Diego chapter of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers and is a barrister in the Honorable J. Clifford Wallace Chapter of the American Inns of Court.

Aviation Experience

As an experienced pilot, Bill understands the technical aspects involved in aviation-related litigation. Bill has been involved in several high-profile aviation accident cases, including the Alaska Airlines Flight 261, Gol Flight 1907 and Air France Flight 447 multi-district litigations. Bill also represents aircraft and helicopter manufacturers in product compliance litigation filed in the US and abroad. Bill maintains a significant airports disputes practice, which involves the representation of airport proprietors and FBOs in controversial matters. For example, Bill led the representation of the City of Santa Monica in litigation against the FAA, which resulted in a landmark settlement to close the Santa Monica Airport. Bill also represents aviation clients in commercial and regulatory matters, FAA enforcement proceedings, Part 16 cases, and DOT investigations. Bill is also involved in cutting-edge legal matters involving unmanned aircraft. His success in the aviation field has been recognized by Chambers USA and Legal 500.

Product Compliance Experience

Bill regularly counsels clients on a wide range of product issues, including regulatory compliance, risk assessment and mitigation, warning and labelling, and crisis management. Bill’s product compliance advisement and litigation experience covers a wide range of product segments, including consumer products, medical devices, automotive, robotics and autonomous systems, and industrial equipment.

Rankings & Accolades

• Best Lawyers in America – Product Liability Litigation 
• Super Lawyers: Top Rated Products Liability Attorney 
• Chambers USA – Nationwide, Transportation: Aviation: Litigation 
• Legal 500 US – Transport: Aviation and Air Travel