William H. Walsh

Member

Recent Publication:

Washington Court Deems Posting of IME Videos on Social Media Free Speech [Alert]

Bill Walsh discusses a recent Washington Court of Appeals ruling that a state law prohibiting injured workers from posting Independent Medical Examination (IME) videos on social media is an unconstitutional violation of free speech rights.

Bill is an experienced trial lawyer recognized by his peers and judges as one of the top litigators in the state of Washington. Bill has successfully represented a substantial number of corporate and individual clients in a range of commercial areas including matters involving securities litigation, medical device liability, personal injury, medical malpractice, environmental tort, maritime and admiralty, disability, aircraft accidents, eminent domain, real estate, and employment discrimination. He has represented clients in complex commercial litigation across the United States in both federal and state court. Bill is especially valued by clients facing difficult “bet the business” litigation involving individual and class claims, with an excellent reputation for strategic thinking and aggressive advocacy.  Bill is also co-chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Aviation Industry team.

Bill serves as disciplinary counsel for the Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct, serving as a prosecutor in cases involving judicial misconduct. He is AV-rated (highest rating) by Martindale-Hubbell and has been selected by his peers as a Top 100 Washington Super Lawyer multiple times and has been perennially chosen as a Washington Super Lawyer since 2003.

Prior to joining private practice, Bill served for seven years as a special assistant U.S. Attorney and Air Force Judge Advocate, prosecuting civilian and military criminal matters as well as defending the federal government in employment discrimination cases.

Bill was a member of the 1984 University of Washington football team that won the 1985 Orange Bowl and was inducted into the Husky Hall of Fame in 2016.

Bill earned his J.D., cum laude, from Gonzaga University School of Law. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Washington.

 

News

Five Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named to 2023 Washington Super Lawyers List

July 31, 2023

The Seattle attorneys who have been recognized by their peers in include firm members Jodi McDougall, Terri Sutton, and William Walsh. Peter Berg and Sarah Pozzi were recognized as 2023 Washington Rising Stars.

Five Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named to 2021 Washington Super Lawyers List

July 20, 2021

Super Lawyers has named five Cozen O’Connor attorneys to its 2021 list of top practitioners in Washington.

Five Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named to 2020 Washington Super Lawyers List

July 17, 2020

Super Lawyers has named five Cozen O’Connor attorneys to its 2020 list of top practitioners in Washington.

US Regulator Grants Exemption for Drone Flight During Lockdown [Financial Times]

April 22, 2020

Bill Walsh was quoted in an article in the Financial Times titled, "US Regulator Grants Exemption for Drone Flight During Lockdown." This article discusses a new coronavirus-related waiver for drone flight which allows an oil and gas company in Houston, TX to use unmanned aircraft instead of humans to inspect its facilities while the staff remains in lockdown.

Six Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named to 2019 Washington Super Lawyers List

June 12, 2019

Super Lawyers has named six attorneys at Cozen O’Connor to its 2019 lists of top practitioners in Washington.

Publications

Washington Court Deems Posting of IME Videos on Social Media Free Speech [Alert]

August 19, 2024

Bill Walsh discusses a recent Washington Court of Appeals ruling that a state law prohibiting injured workers from posting Independent Medical Examination (IME) videos on social media is an unconstitutional violation of free speech rights.

Does PAGA Have Wings? Bernstein’s Threat to Interstate Airlines

May 16, 2022

California's Private Attorneys General Act may pave the way for geographically extended enforcement of California labor laws.

The Efficacy of Preemption Defenses in Airline COVID-19 Litigation [Alert]

July 27, 2020

William H. Walsh and Anusha E. Jones discuss potential preemption defenses that could be available to airlines and their potential effectiveness.

Unmanned Underwater Vehicles Have Role in Pipeline Security

December 31, 2019

Anusha Jones and Bill Walsh contributed an article to the Pipeline & Gas Journal discussing how the General Accounting Office (GAO) published its findings related to Critical Infrastructure Protection in a Congressional report entitled “Key Pipeline Security Documents Need to Reflect Current Operating Environment.”

Space Regulations: To Boldly Go … Or Lightly Tread

February 06, 2019

Bill Walsh discusses why reconciling SPD-2 and SPD-3 through the new rulemaking process could likely prove beneficial to the commercial space industry.

Events & Seminars

Past Events

2016 London Market USA Study Tour

July 10, 2016 - Chicago, IL

2016 RIMS Annual Conference

April 10, 2016 - San Diego, CA

Education

  • Gonzaga University School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 1992
  • University of Washington, B.A., 1988

Awards & Honors

Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® rated

Washington Super Lawyer, 2003-2006, 2010-2023

Top 100 Washington Super Lawyer, 2014-2015

  • Washington
  • Oregon
  • Alaska
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court -- North Dakota
  • U.S. District Court -- Western District of Washington
  • U.S. District Court -- Eastern District of Washington
  • U.S. District Court -- Oregon
  • International Association of Defense Counsel
  • Washington Defense Trial Lawyers Association
  • Marine Insurance Association of Seattle
  • American Bar Association, Forum on Air and Space Law Member
  • Aviation Insurance Association