Bill Ronalter is chair of Shipman's Catastrophic Injury Practice Group. Bill represents individuals who have sustained substantial personal injuries and wrongful death cases. In the legal world, everyone wants results, and Bill’s results speak for themselves, but what sets him apart is that, at Shipman, he focuses on the quality of his representation of clients in catastrophic injury cases, rather than the quantity of injury cases he is involved in at any given time. This focus allows him the flexibility to be responsive and to listen mindfully to his clients and their needs. Bill prides himself on communicating regularly and proactively with his clients as developments warrant.
Bill has more than 30 years of experience handling personal injury cases in various roles, including plaintiff’s lawyer, defense lawyer, and as a consultant for an insurance company. He managed cases throughout the country involving catastrophic injuries including death, paralysis, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, Legionnaires' disease, and burns. Bill has experience in the following types of cases: airplane crashes, accidents involving motor vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians (including DUI cases), uninsured and underinsured motorist claims, products liability (including defective lithium ion batteries in laptops, I-Phones, and E-cigarettes that caused burn injuries), premises liability, construction accidents, drowning, dental and medical malpractice, nursing home negligence, and sexual abuse. He represented 8 of the 10 passengers that were injured or killed in the B-17 crash at Bradley International Airport in 2019 where he reached a confidential settlement. He has served as an expert witness and testified regarding proper claim handling practices. Bill has also served as a guest lecturer (2009-2012) and an adjunct professor (2013-2023) at the University of Connecticut School of Law, Trial Practice Class. Bill Ronalter and Jim Bergenn often use videos to assist with case resolutions.
Shipman is ranked Tier 1 by U.S. News and World Report and Best Lawyers as a Best Law Firm in both Personal Injury Litigation and Products Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs, and Bill is is dual Board Certified as a Civil Trial Advocate and Civil Practice Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, a distinction that less than 4% of trial lawyers can claim.
Education
Bar Admissions
Connecticut
Court Admissions
U.S. District Court, District of CT
Areas of Focus
Catastrophic Injury
Litigation
