William J. "Bill" Ronalter, Personal Injury Attorney in Hartford, Connecticut
Over 35 years of legal practice · focused on Personal Injury and Product Liability
Hartford, CT
Practicing personal injury in Hartford since 1991.
- 35+
- Years practicing
- 1
- Bar admission
Practices in
Are you William J. "Bill" Ronalter?
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Quick answer
William J. "Bill" Ronalter is an attorney based in Hartford, CONNECTICUT. The practice focuses on Personal Injury and Product Liability. William has over 35 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Shipman & Goodwin LLP.
- Based in
- Hartford, CONNECTICUT
- Experience
- over 35 years
- Known for
- Personal Injury · Product Liability
- Handles Personal Injury and Product Liability matters from Hartford, CONNECTICUT.
- Over 35 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with Lawyer of the Year — Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs (Hartford) (2026).
About William J. "Bill" Ronalter: William J. "Bill" Ronalter is an attorney based in Hartford, CONNECTICUT. The practice focuses on Personal Injury and Product Liability. William has over 35 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Shipman & Goodwin LLP.
Areas of practice
Practice areas handled by William J. "Bill" Ronalter
William concentrates on personal injury and product liability. Each area below outlines the kind of case William handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Personal Injury
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Product Liability
View other Product Liability attorneys
Personal Injury cases in Hartford, Connecticut
William takes personal injury matters in Hartford, Connecticut. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.
Product Liability cases in Hartford, Connecticut
William takes product liability matters in Hartford, Connecticut. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.
Biography
About William J. "Bill" Ronalter — Over 35 years of Connecticut personal injury experience
William J. "Bill" Ronalter is an attorney based in Hartford, CONNECTICUT. The practice focuses on Personal Injury and Product Liability. William has over 35 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Shipman & Goodwin LLP.
A partner at Shipman & Goodwin LLP, and a top-rated lawyer based in Hartford, Connecticut, William J. Ronalter has been licensed to practice law in the state since 1991 serving Hartford, New Haven, Fairfield, Middlesex, Litchfield, New London, Tolland, and Windham Counties. Serving as the chair of the firm’s catastrophic injury section, he has committed his practice to serving those injured, or who have lost their loved ones to an accident or as a result of the reckless actions of others. With more than 34 years of experience in the field of law, his practice covers all aspects of personal injury, including:
- Motor vehicle crashes including uninsured and underinsured motorist claims
- Crashes involving motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians
- Crashes involving trucks, semi or tractor-trailers (big-rig crashes) and multi-vehicle crashes
- Slip-and-fall injuries
- Wrongful death
- Construction accidents
- Dog bites
- Product liability
- Premises liability
- Dental malpractice
Working with William on a personal injury matter
A partner at Shipman & Goodwin LLP, and a top-rated lawyer based in Hartford, Connecticut, William J. Ronalter has been licensed to practice law in the state since 1991 serving Hartford, New Haven, Fairfield, Middlesex, Litchfield, New London, Tolland, and Windham Counties. Serving as the chair of the firm’s catastrophic injury section, he has committed his practice to serving those injured, or…
Who William represents
William reviews new inquiries case-by-case for personal injury and product liability matters in Hartford and the surrounding Connecticut area.
Credentials
William J. "Bill" Ronalter's legal education and bar admissions
Villanova University
J.D. · 1991
Jurisdictions
William's state bar admissions
Connecticut
1991 · ACTIVE
William studied at J.D. in Villanova University.
Law school and academic background
William completed J.D. in Villanova University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice William runs in Connecticut is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Awards, publications, and recognition of William J. "Bill" Ronalter
William has received 24 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
Lawyer of the Year — Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs (Hartford)
2026
Lawyer of the Year — Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs (Hartford)
2022
Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Listed as one of the Top 50 Lawyers in Connecticut by
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Super Lawyers
2026
Best Lawyers in America — (2022, 2024, and 2025)
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Listed as a Connecticut
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Super Lawyer
2026
Best Lawyers in America — :
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury General: Plaintiff
2026
Best Lawyers in America — (2011-2025)
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Benchmark Litigation
2026
Best Lawyers in America — , Litigation Star: Personal Injury, Product Liability (Plaintiff), Wrongful Death (2012-2015, 2026)
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Shipman Ranked Among
2026
Best Lawyers in America — U.S. News & World Report's
2026
Best Lawyers in America — and
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Best Law Firms
2026
Best Lawyers in America — in Tier 1 for both Personal Injury Litigation–Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation–Plaintiffs (2023 - Present)
2026
Best Lawyers in America — #2 verdict in State of Connecticut in 2015, as listed in the
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Connecticut Law Tribune’s Top Verdicts & Settlements Supplement
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Chosen as a member of
2026
Best Lawyers in America — The Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
2026
Legal awards and honors
Lawyer of the Year — Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs (Hartford) (2026). Lawyer of the Year — Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs (Hartford) (2022). Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Awards: (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Listed as one of the Top 50 Lawyers in Connecticut by (2026).
Locations
Office locations for William J. "Bill" Ronalter in Hartford, Connecticut
William's primary office is at Hartford, Connecticut, 06103-1919. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Client feedback
Client reviews of William J. "Bill" Ronalter
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Schedule your consultationHiring guide
How to hire William J. "Bill" Ronalter — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new personal injury attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with William usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
William charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain William's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; William will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a personal injury attorney in Hartford, Connecticut
A short list to run through before you commit: How many personal injury matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for William
William discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in personal injury practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every personal injury matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. William confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
William's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many personal injury practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about William J. "Bill" Ronalter
How much does it cost to hire William for a personal injury case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. William walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does William offer a free consultation?
William charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain William's office. Some personal injury attorneys offer free consults — check William's current terms during booking.
How long do personal injury cases in Connecticut typically take?
Simple personal injury matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. William gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can William take my case if I'm outside Hartford?
William is licensed in Connecticut. Matters governed by Connecticut law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — William will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with William?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. William will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is William accepting new personal injury clients right now?
William's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Personal Injury attorneys serving Hartford, Stamford and New Haven in Connecticut
William handles personal injury matters throughout Connecticut. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified personal injury attorneys in that community.
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