William R. Finizio

Senior Counsel

702.385.2500

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BIOGRAPHY

William R. Finizio is Senior Counsel with the Firm and a highly experienced litigation and trial attorney. Bill helps clients resolve complex commercial and civil rights disputes in both state and federal courts. His practice focuses on commercial, police liability, and ERISA litigation, as well as corporate compliance and monitoring. Bill received his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law and is a summa cum laude graduate of Seton Hall University.

Bill has defended multiple national carriers in numerous policyholder claims for denial of benefits under group policies governed by ERISA. Bill has also successfully represented corporations and individuals in criminal investigations brought by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Attorney General’s Office for the State of New Jersey. In recent years, Bill has gained expertise in police liability claims, representing police officers and departments, as well as municipalities, specializing in the defense of high exposure claims of excessive force. Bill has also regularly provided legal services on a pro bono basis, utilizing his background as an assistant prosecutor to assist individuals who cannot afford legal counsel. As an assistant prosecutor, Bill tried numerous armed robbery, aggravated sexual assault, arson, and gambling cases.

Prior to joining the Firm, Bill had a distinguished career in New Jersey, before he and his family moved to Nevada. Outside of work, Bill enjoys an occasional round of golf and spending time with his wife, Jennifer, and extended family. Bill and his wife are foodies and also find great joy working with their favorite charities, which they like to refer to as “Vets and Pets.” They are very thankful to be able to help those who have served this country, as well as causes promoting and facilitating animal rescue.

REPRESENTATIVE ENGAGEMENTS

  • Serving as lead counsel in complex litigation involving numerous state and federal law claims, in which Bill successfully defended individual police officers, a police department, and a municipality in a case that claimed civil rights violations committed by police officers alleged to have planted a gun at plaintiffs’ residence; Bill’s motion for summary judgment prior to trial resulted in a dismissal of all claims against all clients.
  • Defending an insurance company at trial against allegations of underpayment for provision of medical services; Bill was lead counsel and successfully moved to dismiss all of the plaintiff’s claims after cross-examining plaintiff’s witnesses, without the need to present defense witnesses.
  • Serving as lead counsel in the defense of a police officer in complex litigation of state and federal civil rights claims stemming from a fatal shooting; Bill was lead counsel throughout the litigation, including the month-long jury trial, obtaining a favorable verdict for his client.
  • Serving as counsel to a federal monitor appointed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in connection with investigations conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice; Bill was part of a legal team that advised and assisted the federal monitor in overseeing the corporate compliance of one of the nation’s largest orthopedic implant manufacturers.
  • Presenting at a National Business Institute conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey – The Ultimate Guide to Police Liability Claims; Bill’s focus for the conference was the use of experts and jury selection in police liability litigation and trials.
  • Conducting oversight of Atlantic City, New Jersey, related to the State takeover of that City’s finances; Bill’s role was overseeing ongoing litigation involving Atlantic City.
  • Representing the Governor of New Jersey in the defense of a civil suit brought by a nurse related to her involuntary quarantine during the Ebola breakout; Bill and the defense team were able to achieve an amicable settlement using an “outside the box” approach, resulting in a largely non-monetary settlement which satisfied both sides of the litigation.


Courts

  • New Jersey State Courts
  • United States District Court for the District of New Jersey

Civic and Professional Activities

Recognitions

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