Atty. William A. "Bill" Nolan

Atty. William A. "Bill" Nolan

Bill Nolan serves as managing partner of the firm’s Ohio office, which he opened in 2009. Bill works to bring attentiveness and clarity to bear on employment, contract and other disputes, but is most passionate about helping clients build teams, policies and processes to minimize the frequency, cost and severity of disputes.

Columbus Columbus 37 yrs experience 37 year
Call (614) 628-0096 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About William A. "Bill" Nolan at a glance

William A. "Bill" Nolan is a employment, litigation, and education attorney based in Columbus, Ohio, practicing at Barnes & Thornburg LLP. They have 37+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1989. Admitted to practice in Ohio (1989). Educated at Harvard University (J.D., 1989) and Cornell University (B.A., 1984). Recognitions include Lawyer of the Year — Employment Law - Management, Columbus (OH) (2026), Lawyer of the Year — Labor Law - Management, Columbus (OH) (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Education Law (2026). Serands clients in Columbus, OH and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Bill Nolan serves as managing partner of the firm’s Ohio office, which he opened in 2009
  • Bill works to bring attentiveness and clarity to bear on employment, contract and other disputes, but is most passionate about helping clients build teams, policies and processes to minimize the frequency, cost and severity of disputes
  • Bill's litigation and trial work includes covenant not to compete and trade secret cases in many states
  • He regularly represents employers in discrimination and discharge cases, administrative claims, arbitration and mediation, as well as often acts as a neutral himself.Bill helps clients maneuver around ever-increasing legal mandates, and has distinctive experience in employee health and leave issues and the many laws that those issues implicate
  • He also works with clients to design systems and practices to manage these challenges
  • Additionally, Bill counsels clients on a range of workplace issues, and conducts manager and workplace training to ensure legal compliance on the front lines
  • In 2018, he has given particular focus to tracking how employers and legislatures respond to #MeToo, and advocates that employers rethink their training models to better address persistent workplace behaviors

Practice Areas Explained

William A. "Bill" Nolan's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases William A. "Bill" Nolan handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Employment Law

Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.

William A. "Bill" Nolan is one of 169,120 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in Ohio →

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

William A. "Bill" Nolan is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Ohio →

Education Law

Education attorneys for special education (IEP), school discipline, Title IX, and student rights.

William A. "Bill" Nolan is one of 24,079 education attorneys indexed nationally. Browse education attorneys in Ohio →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Ohio

Practicing law in Ohio. Legal matters in Ohio are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Columbus are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Ohio state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Ohio brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Ohio courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Ohio attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Columbus or all attorneys in Ohio.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about William A. "Bill" Nolan

Where is William A. "Bill" Nolan's law office located?
William A. "Bill" Nolan's law practice is located in Columbus, Ohio. The firm is Barnes & Thornburg LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does William A. "Bill" Nolan handle?
William A. "Bill" Nolan focuses on employment, litigation, education. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Ohio.
How long has William A. "Bill" Nolan practiced law?
William A. "Bill" Nolan has 37+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1989.
Where did William A. "Bill" Nolan go to law school?
William A. "Bill" Nolan earned their education at (J.D., 1989); (B.A., 1984).
How can I contact William A. "Bill" Nolan for a consultation?
You can contact William A. "Bill" Nolan directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has William A. "Bill" Nolan received?
William A. "Bill" Nolan's notable recognition includes: Lawyer of the Year — Employment Law - Management, Columbus (OH); Lawyer of the Year — Labor Law - Management, Columbus (OH); Best Lawyers in America — Education Law; Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management; Best Lawyers in America — Labor Law - Management.

Education

J.D.
Harvard University
- 1989
B.A.
Cornell University
- 1984

Awards

Lawyer of the Year — Employment Law - Management, Columbus (OH)
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Labor Law - Management, Columbus (OH)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Education Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Labor Law - Management
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Trade Secrets Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Covenants Not to Compete
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — COVID-19
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Disability
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Discrimination
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Elementary and Secondary Education
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Harassment
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Higher Education
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Labor
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Labor and Employment
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Management
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Trade Secrets
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Employment Law - Management, Columbus (OH)
- 2024
Lawyer of the Year — Labor Law - Management, Columbus (OH)
- 2020
Lawyer of the Year — Education Law, Columbus (OH)
- 2015

Bar Admissions

Ohio
Admitted: 1989

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