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.
Honors & awards
The Best Lawyers in America , Insurance Law
2023-2026
Year joined
2007
Results
Dismissal Affirmed by the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania
Public Entity & Civil Rights Litigation
July 25, 2025
We successfully convinced the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania to affirm the Court of Common Pleas of Wayne County’s grant of our preliminary objections and dismissal of the plaintiff’s complaint in mandamus. In its complaint in mandamus to the Court of Common Pleas, the plaintiff argued that our client’s letter denying its plan and application for the development of solar panels was insufficient under the Municipalities Planning Code, thus entitling it to a deemed approval of its plan.
Summary Judgment Obtained in Complicated Case Brought Against Two Pennsylvania School Districts
School Leaders' Liability
September 27, 2024
We obtained summary judgment on behalf of two school districts in a matter brought by various plaintiffs against the Career and Technology Center of Lackawanna County (CTC) and four of its sending school districts. The plaintiffs had asserted claims under Title IX, the 14th Amendment, and Section 8542(b)(9) of the Pennsylvania Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act based on their sexual abuse by an automotive technology instructor at CTC.
Summary Judgment Secured in First Amendment Retaliation Case
Public Entity & Civil Rights Litigation
January 31, 2024
We obtained summary judgment in a First Amendment retaliation claim where the plaintiff, an employee of the Borough, alleged that she was terminated by the president because of her affiliation with the minority of the supervisors. In granting summary judgment, the court found that the statements of one council member cannot constitute a policy of the council, unless she is delegated authority by the entire board. Summary judgment was entered in favor of the individual board member, as she did not have the authority to fire the plaintiff without approval from the majority of the board.
Unanimous Defense Verdict in Excessive Force Jury Trial
Public Entity & Civil Rights Litigation
September 13, 2023
We achieved a defense jury verdict in a 4th Amendment civil rights trial in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The plaintiff alleged that two officers of our Northeastern Pennsylvania Police Department client used excessive force to transfer him from the police station’s processing room to a holding cell.
Federal Rehabilitation Act suit against a school district dismissed.
School Leaders' Liability
November 1, 2022
The plaintiffs filed a complaint stemming from the school district’s alleged violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Defense counsel prepared a F.R.C.P. 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, arguing that the plaintiffs’ pleadings were insufficient to show that the student was disabled under the Act, that the district did not discriminate against the student, and that an isolated incident or comment from one teacher does not impart liability in violation of Section 504. The motion was first evaluated by a U.S.
Thought Leadership
98 Marshall Dennehey Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America
August 20, 2025
Marshall Dennehey is proud to highlight the firm’s 98 attorneys who have been recognized in the 2026 editions of The Best Lawyers in America and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America. Less than 6% of all practicing lawyers in the U.S.
Legal Update for Special Education Law - Case Law Update
Pittsburgh
Harrisburg
School Leaders' Liability
July 1, 2025
U.S. Supreme Court Clarifies Standard for Disability Discrimination Claims in Education Under Section 504 and ADA Legal Update for Special Education Law - July 2025 is prepared by Marshall Dennehey to provide information on recent legal developments of interest to
Legal Update for Special Education Law - Updates from the U.S. Department of Education
Harrisburg
School Leaders' Liability
February 1, 2025
In Tennessee v. Cardona, 2025 WL 63795, a Kentucky federal judge issued an opinion vacating the new Title IX regulations. Legal Update for Special Education Law - February 2025 is prepared by Marshall Dennehey to provide information on recent legal developments of interes
Legal Update for Special Education Law - Updates from the U.S. Department of Education
Harrisburg
School Leaders' Liability
December 1, 2024
Update Regarding OSEP Guidance for Functional Behavioral Assessments Legal Update for Special Education Law - December 2024 is prepared by Marshall Dennehey to provide information on recent legal developments of interes
Educating Students During the Coronavirus Pandemic
School Leaders' Liability
March 30, 2020
This bulletin is in reply to recent questions we have received about educating students during the coronavirus epidemic.
