William J. Egan

(he/him/his)

Partner

  • Overview

    Biography

    William Egan has thirty years of commercial litigation and business law experience. He handles trials at the state and federal level, along with arbitrations and mediations, involving both domestic and international matters.

    In addition to his litigation practice, Bill counsels businesses on the negotiation and drafting of contracts and business agreements and the resolution of business disputes short of litigation.

    He also counsels clients on issues concerning technology-related contracts, distributorship disputes, and commercial business matters, as well as real estate and leasing-related matters. Bill is a lecturer on the topics of commercial litigation, commercial lease law, and commercial contract law.

    Bill’s focus in representing clients is on commercial, business and technology advice and litigation, along with franchise and distributorship advice and litigation, as well as real estate and leasing litigation. His work also includes arbitration, mediations and business advice to minimize litigation exposure. In 2020, Bill was appointed to serve on the American Arbitration Association’s Commercial Arbitration Panel.

    Commercial, Business and Technology Litigation

    Bill has advised clients in a wide range of business disputes, including lawsuits and negotiations involving technology vendors, health care and medical organizations, an international cruise line, as well as other domestic, foreign, and international companies in their general commercial contract and business litigation. His experience includes trials in Massachusetts and Connecticut, where he is admitted in both the state and federal courts. He has also won arbitrations for clients including complex issues between medical entities, mediated a successful resolution of a real estate matter for a rapidly expanding and well-known national company, and settled multiple class action claims at very low cost for clients.

    Franchise and Distributorship Litigation

    Bill represents companies in franchise and distributorship disputes, including lawsuits, contract negotiations and disupte resolutions. The United States District Court of Massachusetts's decision in C.N. Wood Company, Inc. v. Labrie Environmental Group, Case No. 1:12-cv-11778 (D. Mass. 2013) is an example of a decisive ruling for our client. The ruling confirmed that as a manufacturer, our client was not liable to the plaintiff, who asserted claims under Massachusetts franchise law.

    Real Estate Litigation

    Bill represents clients with regard to commercial real estate disputes including leasing disputes for commercial, retail and industrial property. He has handled lease litigation and dispute resolution for national and international retailers, commercial landlords, and banking institutions. His representation in lease litigation matters includes successfully defending a large internet retailer against an overreaching landlord in an arbitration proceeding.

    Pro Bono and Community Involvement

    Bill regularly represents veterans who are threatened with eviction and facing the possibility of homelessness. He received the firm’s 2011 Pro Bono Award for his efforts.

  • Experience
    • Experience

      Experience

        Franchise and Distributorship

      • Achieved significant victory for client in C.N. Wood Company, Inc. v. Labrie Environmental Group, Case No. 1:12-cv-11778 (D. Mass. 2013). Client manufacturer found not liable to the plaintiff who asserted claims under Massachusetts franchise law.

      • Commercial, Business and Technology Litigation

      • Obtained arbitration award for client in a confidential matter involving claims between medical practice entities. Complex claims arising from multiple contract and other obligations resolved in client’s favor.

      • Successfully settled a $20 million plus claim against a health industry client involving non-competition and related claims on terms very favorable to client including new business terms allowing client to fulfill future strategic business goals as part of settlement. Confidentiality terms were included in settlement.

      • Real Estate Litigation

      • Obtained arbitration award for a large Internet company against an overreaching landlord which had made claims related to the lease of client’s primary office.

      • Obtained a judgment in Massachusetts enforcing a settlement agreement following an attempt by opposing parties to back out of agreement. Successfully obtained an order to enforce both monetary recovery and to complete final proceedings to sell collateral. 

      • Successfully settled a complicated real estate and lease litigation matter for a national landlord involving a commercial/retail tenant resulting in landlord recovering possession of the subject space, selling tenant’s collateral, and obtaining payment for prior lease debt.

      • General Experience

      • Trial experience in Connecticut and Massachusetts and in federal and state court as well as arbitrations and mediations.

      • Successfully resolving claims against clients for over 25 years on terms favorable to clients, including technology vendor contract disputes and other commercial litigation, lease disputes for national and regional companies, and early resolution of several class action claims against national retailers and international travel company.

      • Represented a leading international cruise line in negotiation of co-branded credit card program relationship, including associated privacy, data security, and other matters.

    • Professional Associations

      Professional Associations

      American Arbitration Association
      Commercial Arbitration Panel

      Connecticut Bar Association
      Business Torts Section
      Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section

      American Bar Association
      Section of Litigation

      Boston Bar Association
    • Honors + Awards

      Honors + Awards

      Connecticut Veterans Legal Center, 2012 Volunteer Hero

      Robinson+Cole Pro Bono Service Award Recipient, 2011, for service in representing veterans facing homelessness

    • Community Involvement

      Community Involvement

      Harvard Alumni Association
      President of Regional Alumni Organization (2009 - Current)
  • NEWS + PRESS
    • Publications

      Publications

      "Robinson & Cole discuss Website Accessibility and Compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act," co-authored with Ian T. Clarke-Fisher and Kathleen M. Porter, the first part of a series on the Americans with Disabilities Act and website accessibility that will be published in the ADVOC Gazette (7/12/2022)
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    • News

      R+C in the News

      • September 14, 2023

        Bill Egan Comments on Impact of Arbitrator Bias Confusion in Law360

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        • View article
      • August 16, 2022

        Kathleen Porter, William Egan and Ian Clarke-Fisher Author Article on Website Accessibility and ADA Compliance

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      • December 2, 2020

        Bill Egan Appointed to AAA Arbitration Panel

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      • March 28, 2019

        Robinson+Cole Sponsors World Affairs Council Event

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      • November 11, 2014

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Support Military Families in Patriot Golf Day Tournament

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      • June 15, 2010

        Robinson & Cole Attorneys Instruct In-house Counsel on How to “Bulletproof” Their Deals

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      • November 14, 2008

        Robinson & Cole Gains Over 30 Former Thelen Attorneys in Hartford, Connecticut and New York City

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      R+C News Releases

      • June 21, 2013

        Local Organizations Recognize Robinson & Cole’s Pro Bono Service

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      • December 6, 2011

        Robinson & Cole Announces Partner Promotions

      • November 18, 2011

        Robinson & Cole Announces Pro Bono Award Recipients

        • » more info
        • View article
    • Legal Updates/Newsletters

      Legal Updates/Newsletters

      "COVID-19: New York and Connecticut among states ordering non-essential businesses closed" co-authored with Jeffrey J. White and Kathleen M. Porter (3/24/20)

      "Planning for Business Delays and Disruptions Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19)" co-authored with Kathleen M. Porter (3/4/2020)

      "IP+T Intelligence Newsletter" co-authored with Julianna M. Charpentier and Alaine C. Doolan (Q1 2019)