William J. Brennan

WBRENNAN@BUTERALAW.COM

Law Practice:

William J. (Bill) Brennan is an "AV" rated trial lawyer who has spent his entire 30 year legal career with the Firm. Bill routinely represents large and small corporations, partnerships and individuals in complex civil litigation in state and federal courts throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania. As a result of his diligence, persistence and attention to detail, his clients have achieved excellent and cost effective results. In 1992, Bill tried a catastrophic personal injury case to a jury in Bucks County, Pennsylvania which resulted in the largest personal injury verdict in the history of that county – it stood as the largest verdict for more than 10 years. Bill has represented landowners and developers in significant zoning litigation and has also been involved in numerous labor law and employment cases. Judges rarely note the performance of lawyers who appear before them, however, in a published U.S. District Court Opinion, the Honorable Clarence Newcomer specifically commented on Mr. Brennan’s “excellent performance at trial”. 1995 W.L. 116646. In another published Opinion, the Honorable William Vogel of the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas commented favorably on Bill’s preparation and legal abilities. 102 Montg. L. R. 319

Recognizing the importance of cost effective business resolutions, Bill strongly favors practical and innovative solutions to business disputes, but is experienced, creative and aggressive on behalf of his clients when formal litigation is required.

Bill spent more than 20 years as a municipal solicitor at Upper Providence Township in Montgomery County, where he also represented the Upper Providence Municipal Authority. During that time, he defeated a well funded development proposal for a 50,000 watt 6 tower AM radio station and was involved in management of municipal legal affairs for the development of major commercial and industrial sites, including the present world headquarters of several Fortune 500 drug companies. Bill has recently been appointed to serve as Solicitor to Schuylkill Township, Chester County. Bill has also been involved in litigation which ultimately resulted in a change in the law of Pennsylvania concerning the so called “English Rule” regarding malicious prosecution, allowing victims of improper lawsuits to recover.

Bill has written articles in the field of personal injury, tort law, including on the topic of “assumption of risk” and he regularly participates in writing for the Firm’s newsletter. He is a member of the planning commission in Schuylkill Township, Chester County and is a former member of the council of Trustees at West Chester University.

Professional Memberships:

• Montgomery County Bar Association
  
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
  

Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 1976
  
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 1976
• United States Tax Court
• United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
• United States Supreme Court

Education:

• Villanova University (B.A., cum laude, 1973)
  
• Villanova University (J.D., 1976)

Professional Activities:

• Solicitor to Schuylkill Township

Selected Practice Areas:

• Major Business Civil Litigation in state and federal court
  
• Major Personal Injury matters/Wrongful Death
  
• Municipal Law and Land Use/Zoning
• Motor Vehicle Law and Arbitration
  
• Employment Litigation/Non-Union Labor Matters (Plaintiff and Defense)
• Discrimination Cases (Race/Sex/Age/Disability) (Plaintiff and Defense)
• Corporate/Partnership Disputes
• Insurance Matters (Claims disputes, Coverage matters)
• Shareholder/Investor Litigation
• Estate/Probate Litigation
• Civil Rights Litigation