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William E. O'Gara - Johnston, RI

1301 Atwood Ave. Suite 215 N Johnston, RI 02919

Super Lawyers®

1

Updated: 05/08/2024

Johnston Employment and Litigation Lawyer

Overview

William E. O’Garais Managing Principal with Pannone Lopes Devereaux & O’Gara LLC, whose practice focuses on employment and labor law and mediating disputes. With over 25 years of experience, Attorney O’Gara has handled a wide range of cases including employment discrimination, wage and hour claims and sexual harassment claims. Attorney O’Gara also assists clients with traditional labor law matters, ranging from contract negotiations to arbitration.

As a trusted advisor, Attorney O’Gara works with clients on a daily basis regarding a wide array of employment issues that arise without warning and that employers confront. As an experienced practitioner, Attorney O’Gara has successfully mediated a wide range of disputes both at the pre-litigation stage and before trial. He also conducts workplace investigations and provides training for managers and supervisors on employment-related issues.

Among the industries he represents include:

• Health Care

• Education

• Social Service Providers

• Construction

• Warehousing and Distribution

• Technology

Attorney O’Gara earned his J.D. from Northeastern University and his Master’s in Industrial Relations from the University of Rhode Island. Attorney O’Gara leads the firm’s Employment and Litigation Teams, and is a member of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island bars, representing clients before administrative agencies and state and federal courts.

About William E. O'Gara

Practice Areas

  • Employment and Litigation
  • Mediation
  • Workplace Investigations

Current Employment Position(s)

  • Managing Principal

Representative Clients

  • Successfully tried numerous employment discrimination cases arising under the Family and Medical Leave Act, state and federal civil rights laws, wage and overtime laws, whistleblower protection acts, and state and federal labor laws.
  • Handled various matters involving complex directors and officers (D&O) coverage issues, including a current case arising in the context of an insolvency proceeding; wrongful termination and retaliation cases; and a major product liability case arising out of a tragic nightclub fire in West Warwick, Rhode Island.
  • Successfully represented clients in federal court on breach of contract claims arising out of multimillion-dollar property damage claims.
  • Successfully defended a manufacturer of machinery in connection with a multimillion-dollar fire loss claim.
  • Represented the Employees' Retirement System of Rhode Island, a legal entity subordinate to the Rhode Island General Treasurer's Office, on numerous matters that have been litigated before the Rhode Island Supreme Court and Rhode Island Superior Court.

Qualifications

Bar Admissions

  • Massachusetts, 1989
  • Rhode Island, 1990
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit

Other Affiliations

  • Rhode Island Bar Association
  • Massachusetts Bar Association
  • New York Bar Association, Fourth District Bar Association Ethics Committee
  • Society of Human Resources Management
  • RI Society for Human Resource Management State Chapter

Education

  • Northeastern University School of Law, Boston, Massachusetts, 1989
    J.D.
  • University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, 1984
    M.A.
    Major: Industrial Relations

Past Positions

  • Bingham, Dana & Gould and Holland & Knight

Pro Bono Activities

  • Goodwill Industries of Rhode Island
  • Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce
  • Nickerson Community Center
  • East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce
  • Northern RI Chamber of Commerce

Classes and Seminars

  • Frequent Lecturer, Human Resources Management Topics

Achievements

Other Sources of Feedback About William E. O'Gara

Included on the 2023 Rhode Island Super Lawyers list


Past Lists

  • 2022 Rhode Island Super Lawyers list
  • 2021 Rhode Island Super Lawyers list
  • 2020 Rhode Island Super Lawyers list
  • 2019 Rhode Island Super Lawyers list
  • 2018 Rhode Island Super Lawyers list
  • 2017 Rhode Island Super Lawyers list
  • 2016 Rhode Island Super Lawyers list
  • 2015 Rhode Island Super Lawyers list
  • 2014 Rhode Island Super Lawyers list
  • 2013 Rhode Island Super Lawyers list
  • 2012 Rhode Island Super Lawyers list
  • 2011 Rhode Island Super Lawyers list

View the profile for William E. O'Gara on Super Lawyers

Photo

Office Information

Address

1301 Atwood Ave. Suite 215 N Johnston, RI 02919

Fax

  • 401-824-5123

Publication

Articles

  • Judge faults retirement panel in accidental disability case
  • New Rhode Island Law Requires Employers To Provide Paid Sick Leave
  • Business Matters (Oct 2019)
  • PLDO Employment Advisory (Sept 2019)
  • NLRB retreat on aggressive posting rule favors business
  • Labor and employment law update 2020: What is next?

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Firm Address

Fax:
401-824-5123
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1301 Atwood Ave. Suite 215 N Johnston, RI 02919

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