Overview
Bill Hassler's practice encompasses a broad range of civil and criminal cases.
Bill litigates a variety of civil disputes involving environmental matters, including enforcement issues relating to pipeline spills. His experience includes the trial of CERCLA liability issues, as well as defense of civil environmental enforcement actions, criminal environmental enforcement matters, and criminal and civil claims relating to alleged corporate misconduct, including the defense of Tyco's former general counsel.
Bill also represents companies and individuals subject to criminal investigation. He has handled cases involving complex environmental matters, charges of healthcare fraud, other corporate misconduct, the regulation of medical devices, and the representation of witnesses subject to investigation by Congressional committees. During his tenure at the Office of Independent Counsel at the Department of Justice, Bill served as a prosecutor investigating the Iran/Contra affair.
- District of Columbia
- Hon. Robert R. Merhige, Jr., US District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, 1981-1982
- J.D., Yale Law School, 1980
- B.A., University of North Carolina, 1977
Areas of Work
Representative Matters
Select Recent Trial Experience:
- Represented pipeline company in connection with resolution of claims relating to major inland oil spill.
- Represented William Facteau in US v. Facteau (D. Mass. 2016), a jury trial that resulted in defendant’s acquittal of multiple felony charges.
- Represented plaintiff American International Surplus Lines, Inc. (AISLIC) in a bench trial of the damages phase of prior successful liability trial brought under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Liability Act (AISLIC v. United States (C.D. Cal) (March 2012)).
- Represented defendant Lauren Stevens in United States v. Stevens, (D. Md.) (2011), a jury trial that led to all charges against Stevens being dismissed by the judge at the close of government’s case.
- Represented AISLIC in first phase of AISLIC v. United States (C.D. Cal) (2010), a bench trial involving CERCLA claims that resulted in finding of liability against United States.
- Represented Mark Belnick, former general counsel of Tyco, in connection with multiple actions, including In re Tyco International Ltd., Securities, Derivative, & ERISA Litigation, in Multidistrict Litigation (D.N.H. 2002-2007) and in a class action litigation that was resolved by settlement.
- Represented Lexington Insurance Company in Alcoa v. Accident & Cas. Ins. Co. (Super. Ct. Wash. 2002-03) and UTC v. American Home Ins. Co. (D.Conn. 2001-02) in large, multi-site litigations regarding insurance claims for environmental damages. The cases were resolved by settlement.
- Represented C&A Carbone and National Solid Waste Management Association in Atlantic Coast Demolition & Recycling, Inc., v. Board of Chosen Freeholders of Atlantic County (D.N.J.), a bench trial and injunctive action, and in Atlantic Coast Demolition & Recycling, Inc., v. Board of Chosen Freeholders of Atlantic County, 112 F.3d 652 (3rd Cir. 1997), a case invalidating statewide, New Jersey solid waste system as inconsistent with the Commerce Clause in light of firm’s representation of same client in C&A Carbone v. Town of Clarkson, 511 U.S. 383 (1994).
Speaking Engagements
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Forum on Corporate Enforcement, New Orleans, LA, May 24, 2017
News & Publications
Press Releases
National Park Service Keeps Upper Beach Drive Open for Pedestrian Use Year Round
November 2, 2022
Media Mentions
Law360 Covers Steptoe's Success for Enbridge in Pipeline Replacement Project
November 7, 2019
Press Releases
National Law Journal Names Steptoe a DC Litigation Department of the Year
June 6, 2017
Media Mentions
Media Cover Steptoe’s Federal Court Win for Ex-Acclarent CEO Bill Facteau
July 26, 2016
Press Releases
Steptoe Secures Federal Court Victory for Ex-Acclarent CEO William Facteau
July 20, 2016
Resources
Events
Webinars
Pipeline Accidents: Are You Prepared?
September 26, 2017
Speakers: David H. Coburn, William T. Hassler, Joshua Runyan, Steven Reed
Webinars
Pipeline Accidents: Are You Prepared?
January 12, 2017
Speakers: Seth Goldberg, William T. Hassler, Dane Jaques, Joshua Runyan
Noteworthy
- Legal 500 US, Litigation: White-Collar Criminal Defense (2016)
- Super Lawyers, Washington, DC, Criminal Defense: White Collar (2016-2021)
Previous Employment
- Prosecutor, Office of Independent Counsel, US Department of Justice
- Prosecutor, Environmental Crimes Section, US Department of Justice
- Special Assistant to the Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association, Litigation Section; Section of Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law