Donio, William S.

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William S. Donio joined Cooper Levenson in 2003 with the merger of his own successful Hammonton, New Jersey-based practice into the firm.

His background is rich with experience in the public sector, with a focus on representing local boards of education.

Will founded and chairs Cooper Levenson’s Education Law practice group, a department that is known throughout the State for its “solution-centered” approach to education law.

Will frequently works with other practice groups including Employment Law, Land Use, Commercial Litigation, and Municipal/Governmental Services.

In addition to education law and education-related litigation, Will’s practice encompasses such areas as commercial litigation, as well as commercial transactions, administrative law, municipal law, real estate development and appeals.

Will also represents privately held commercial entities in corporate litigation and employment matters.

He represents dozens of school districts, large and small, in every part of the State of New Jersey.

Will was admitted to the bar in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the U.S. District Courts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

Education

A graduate of Rutgers College – Rutgers the State University (B.A.) with High Honors in History, Will was a Presidential Scholarship recipient, a Henry Rutgers Scholar, and a graduate of the General Honors Program.

He also is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law (J.D.), where he was Production Editor of the Columbia Business Law Review, and interned for the Honorable Joseph Rodriguez, USDJ.

 

Experience

Will and the attorneys in his practice group have extensive experience in litigating special education matters, discrimination claims, sexual harassment claims, disability discrimination claims, construction matters, public bidding matters, family medical leave act violations, tort claims, and open public records claims.

 One case of special note is Clifford Levine v. Voorhees Township Board of Education.

Will represented the Voorhees Township Board of Education in this action. He was successful in trying this matter to conclusion and have the jury return a “no liability” verdict for our client.

 The Plaintiff filed a federal lawsuit alleging the school district violated New Jersey LAD (law against discrimination) with a demand of $1.5 million.

The matter went before a federal jury where Will received a successful “no liability” verdict.

Awards

Will was selected in 2017 and 2018 for inclusion on the New Jersey Super Lawyer list* in the area of school law.

He is rated Distinguished by Martindale Hubbell in the area of education law.**  Will was honored with two “40 Under 40” awards, one from the New Jersey Law Journal and one from Atlantic City Weekly.

Articles/Seminars

Will is an adjunct professor at Rutgers School of Law – Camden, where he teaches Education Law & Practice and a faculty member of the SRI-ETTC where he teaches on Student Rights and Responsibilities, Harassment Intimidation and Bullying and other education related topics.

He frequently speaks at School Board Association gatherings and conventions and in-services staff for insurance, policy and continuing education compliance.

*Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, selects attorneys using “a patented multiphase selection process. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with independent research.” 

**Martindale-Hubbell conducts a thorough review of attorneys  through a secure online peer review survey where a lawyer’s ethical standards and legal ability in a specific area of practice is assessed by their peers. Read more.

 

 

Affiliations

He is a former member of the District I Ethics Committee and belongs to the Camden County Bar Association and the Atlantic County Bar Association.

Will is extensively involved in his community and has donated his time over the years to many diverse organizations, such as:

• Assisting with the organization and incorporation of the Hammonton Education Foundation, the Red and White Gridiron Foundation for St. Joseph’s High School, the Community Partnership for Egg Harbor Township Schools, Inc., and the Galloway Community Charter School Foundation for Education
• Founding and Present Trustee of the Samuel A. Donio Foundation for Education, which awards scholarships to graduating seniors from Hammonton High School and St. Joseph’s High School in Hammonton as well as provides grant money for educational programs.
• Assisting with the South Jersey Aids Alliance
• Volunteer at area schools including Hammonton and Egg Harbor Township
• Volunteer presentations for State and local Bar Associations and State and local chapters of the NJ School Boards Assn. and various education professional associations
• Attorney member of the District I Ethics Committee 2003-2006.
• Coach for the Hammonton High School Mock Trial Team
• Coach for Hammonton Youth Soccer Assn.