William A. "Bill" Nolan

William A. "Bill" Nolan

Columbus, OH recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2006
Barnes & Thornburg LLP

302 Best Lawyers awards

Barnes & Thornburg LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Employment Law - Management Labor Law - Management Education Law Litigation - Labor and Employment
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in Columbus, OH.

Biography

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.

Barnes & Thornburg LLP

302 Best Lawyers awards

Barnes & Thornburg LLP logo

Overview

  • Cornell University, B.A., graduated 1984
  • Harvard University, J.D., graduated 1989

  • Ohio, 1989

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
  • Ohio, 1989
  • Cornell University, B.A., graduated 1984
  • Harvard University, J.D., graduated 1989
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

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

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