William Lesser

Member

Recent News:

Super Lawyers Recognizes 35 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys in New York

Fourteen attorneys were recognized as Super Lawyers, and 21 were named “Rising Stars,” a list that recognizes attorneys under the age of 40.

William focuses his practice on the representation of clients in utility and energy and commercial litigation matters. He represents utilities, businesses, and nonprofits confronted with complex regulatory and commercial issues. William’s work on behalf of clients has involved representation in proceedings before the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJPBU) as well as assisting public utility clients seeking approval on a variety of transactions from the NJBPU. William has experience representing businesses and individuals in various aspects of litigation, including handling appeals. 

William earned his law degree, summa cum laude, from Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law, where he was the lead research editor of the Temple Law Review. William served a one-year clerkship with the Honorable Franklin S. Van Antwerpen of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He received his undergraduate degree from the State University of New York at Binghamton.

Experience

News

Super Lawyers Recognizes 35 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys in New York

October 24, 2024

Fourteen attorneys were recognized as Super Lawyers, and 21 were named “Rising Stars,” a list that recognizes attorneys under the age of 40.

Cozen O'Connor Promotes 29 Attorneys to Member

March 20, 2023

Cozen O'Connor is proud to announce the promotion of 29 attorneys to member.

Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Support Critical Voting Rights Cases

November 01, 2022

We celebrate National Pro Bono Week by sharing the high-impact work of Cozen O’Connor attorneys who have contributed to critical voting rights cases.

Cozen O’Connor Team Wins Landmark First Amendment Ruling

June 21, 2019

The team includes Michael de Leeuw, Stuart Shorenstein, Tamar Wise, Stephen Miller, Jesse Loffler, William Lesser, and Anna Hanke.

Cozen O’Connor Team Partners with NAACP to Win Historic Voting Rights Victory

August 30, 2017

Cozen O’Connor, alongside co-counsel NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF) and New Orleans-based civil rights lawyer Ron Wilson, obtained an important trial victory for our clients—the Terrebonne Parish NAACP and four individual Black voters—in a voting rights case in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana.

Publications

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from a Public Utility Perspective [Alert]

June 17, 2024

William Lesser discusses the evolving regulatory environment and challenges faced by public utility companies and their DEI efforts.

Developments in Offshore Wind Part Two [White Paper]

March 25, 2021

Michael Connolly, Amorie Hummel, William Lesser, Heidi Schwartz, Josh Stein, and James Van Orden discuss tax, maritime, and environmental issues and developments affecting the offshore wind industry.

Developments in Offshore Wind: Part One [White Paper]

March 17, 2021

Michael Connolly, Amorie Hummel, William Lesser, Heidi Schwartz, Josh Stein, and James Van Orden discuss New Jersey and New York's offshore wind energy policies and what the Biden administration has already done to advance offshore wind energy development in federal waters.

INSIGHT: Virtual Business Contacts Can Create Virtual Personal Jurisdiction

May 21, 2020

Thomas O'Rourke and William Lesser published an article to Bloomberg Law discussing how people reaching out to businesses in other states through various technology platforms to conduct business has implications for personal jurisdiction and the accompanying minimum contacts analysis.

New York Extends COVID-19 Restrictions on Utility Activities [Alert]

April 23, 2020

William Lesser discusses how the extension of Gov. Cuomo's New York State on PAUSE order impacts the utility industry.

Events & Seminars

Past Events

Navigating the Water Infrastructure Protection Act

November 15, 2022 - Camden, New Jersey

Industry Sectors

Education

  • Temple University—James E. Beasley School of Law, J.D., summa cum laude, 2015
  • SUNY–Binghamton, B.A., summa cum laude, 2012

Awards & Honors

New York Metro Rising Stars, Super Lawyers, 2024
*This award is conferred by Super Lawyers. A description of the selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

  • New York
  • New Jersey
  • U.S. District Court -- Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court -- Southern District of New York
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
  • U.S. District Court -- New Jersey

Honorable Franklin S. Van Antwerpen, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

LGBT Bar Association of New York