William J. Donovan
William J. Donovan
Biography
William J. Donovan is Of Counsel at Burns White, focusing his practice in civil litigation. Mr. Donovan has more than 20 years of litigation experience in the areas of products liability, toxic tort, and insurance defense litigation. He has also practiced before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. As part of his litigation practice, Mr. Donovan acts as National Coordinating Counsel for a major wire and cable manufacturing company. In addition, he has practiced in the area of railroad occupational disease defense litigation.
Prior to joining Burns White, Mr. Donovan worked as an accountant and senior internal auditor/supervisor for two major corporations. His audit work focused in the area of operational review of corporate accounting and manufacturing control systems.
Mr. Donovan received his undergraduate degree in Accounting from Duquesne University and received his Juris Doctor from the Duquesne University School of Law.
Mr. Donovan is a member of the American, Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Bar Associations. He is admitted to practice in the courts of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia and before the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Credentials
Areas of Law
- Litigation
- Business Law
Education
- Duquesne University School of Law (J.D., 1994)
- Duquesne University (B.S., 1980)
Bar and Court Admissions
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- Ohio
- West Virginia
- United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Memberships
- American Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Allegheny County Bar Association
Accolades & Involvement
Honrs and Awards
- Best Lawyers in America® for Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, 2025
Community/Civic Involvement
Mr. Donovan is the past President of the Board of Directors of the Greater Pittsburgh Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and a former member of the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Mr. Donovan also volunteers as a coach for youth basketball in Western Pennsylvania.