William J. Rocha

William J. Rocha provides part-time general counsel services to privately-owned small and mid-size companies. He began his fifteen-year legal career as a litigator, focusing primarily on business, employment, and patent litigation. He then went in house as General Counsel and V.P. of Human Resources at a 500+ employee business. In his V.P. of Human Resources role, Bill gained extensive hands-on experience in employment matters. And, as the sole attorney at the company, he also became — by necessity — an extremely well-rounded legal practitioner able to handle a broad range of legal matters, from corporate to litigation, compliance and employment, and beyond. Bill continued building his in-house experience by becoming General Counsel of a 13,000+ employee corporation that operates around the country. A skilled litigator, Bill excels at providing creative solutions to business challenges.
As a practicing General Counsel, Bill has had the privilege of helping clients navigate the legal mines and pitfalls that companies experience every day when making business decisions. He provides practical legal advice, including analyzing potential risks, enabling his clients to make informed business decisions. His experience as a GC provides him a unique understanding of the role that legal advice plays in a company’s decision-making process.
Bill was a practicing Mechanical Engineer before fulfilling his long-time dream of attending law school. When not working, he and his wife are kept busy with their three children. You are likely to find him coaching flag football, playing golf, attending church, dabbling with the guitar, or having fun on the slopes (he prefers a snowboard to skis).
Practice Areas
- Employment Law, including drafting and interpreting company HR policies and handbooks; advising on no-compete/termination/discrimination issues; drafting employment/severance agreements; and providing guidance on new laws.
- Litigation, including breach of contract; lease and license disputes; defending discrimination claims in court and before administrative agencies; overseeing outside counsel where required.
- General Corporate Matters, including contract drafting/negotiation; advising on legal risks associated with business decisions; advising on business relationships and partnerships
Education
- Cornell Law School, J.D.
- University of Rhode Island, B.S. & M.S., Mechanical Engineering
Admitted to Practice
- Massachusetts
- New York
- S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit
- S. District Court, Massachusetts
- S. District Court, Southern District of New York
Professional Associations
- Association of Corporate Counsel
- Boston Bar Association (2003-2014)
Former Co-Chair, IP Law Section - Federal Bar Association (2006-2014)
Former Member, Executive Board - New York State Bar Association (2005-2014)
Board & Committee Work
- Bristol County Chamber of Commerce, Government Affairs Committee (2014 - present)
- Massachusetts Food Association, Government Affairs Committee (2019 - present)
- American Baking Association, State Affairs Working Group (2019 - present)