William J. McPartland

Co-Chair, Special Education Law Practice Group
Shareholder

    Will is a member of the Professional Liability Department and handles matters on behalf of both insured and self-insured clients. He concentrates his practice in areas involving special education due process, civil rights, employment matters and claims involving the Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act.  Will represents both government and private employers in state and federal court in ADEA, ADA, Title VII, FMLA and PA Veterans Preference Act claims.  He also handles general liability matters involving automobile accidents, premises liability claims and special investigations matters, which often involve claims of suspected arson and insurance fraud.

    Prior to joining Marshall Dennehey, Will worked for defense firms in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. He also served as a law clerk to the Honorable Ralph L. DeLuccia, Jr. in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Trial Division, in Passaic County.

    Will earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Miami in environmental planning, an interdisciplinary degree with an emphasis on science and civil engineering. While at Miami, he was the starting fullback for the Hurricanes and received All Big East Football Academic Honors. He later attended the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, earning his juris doctor in 2004.

    Significant Representative Matters

    Successfully defended a school district at a Special Education Due Process Hearing where plaintiffs claimed that the district failed to provide the student with a Free Appropriate Public Education pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act related to a request for assistive technology.

    Successfully defended a school district in the first trial in Pennsylvania challenging a student drug testing policy under Article I, Section 8 of the Pennsylvania Constitution.

    Obtained a defense verdict in a slip and fall case before the Court of Common Pleas of Lackawanna County brought by a tenant alleging she fell on ice caused by the paint used on the stairs as well as a leaking gutter.

    Obtained a defense award for school district at Special Education Due Process Hearing regarding a disciplinary matter and the district's manifestation determination hearing.

    Obtained dismissal of a claim against a school district alleging failure to protect a student from abuse by a third party.

    Obtained dismissal of claims of trespass and negligence against a landowner related to the use of an easement which was adjacent to his property.

    Obtained dismissal of a 14th Amendment state created danger claim against a school district arising out of a fight between two students.

    Obtained dismissal of a plaintiff's challenge to a sale of land by a school district under the Donated and Dedicated Property Act and the Public Trust Doctrine.

    Admissions
    New Jersey
    2004
    Pennsylvania
    2004
    U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania
    2005
    District Court District of New Jersey
    2005
    New York
    2006
    U.S. District Court Western District of Pennsylvania
    2006
    U.S. District Court Middle District of Pennsylvania
    2010
    U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit
    2011
    U.S. District Court Northern District of New York
    2014
    U.S. District Court Western District of New York
    2014
    U.S. District Court Southern District of New York
    2016
    Education
    University of Pittsburgh School of Law (J.D., 2004)
    University of Miami (B.S., 2000)
    Honors & awards
    The Best Lawyers in America®, Insurance Law
    2023-2025
    Year joined
    2007