William La Salle III, J.D. is the Glow in the Dark™ Lawyer!

Will is originally from Philadelphia, PA. Intending to become an attorney following high school, the events of 9/11 led Will to pause his collegiate career in favor of enlisted service in the U.S. Navy. For just over 9 years, Will worked as a Nuclear Mechanical Operator. Will served aboard two nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. He served first aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), deploying in 2004 in support of the Global War on Terrorism, as well as sailing to the Gulf of Mexico in 2005 as part of relief efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Following his tour on CVN 75, Will served as a Plankowner (a member of the initial crew) of USS George HW Bush, the nation’s final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. While in the Navy, Will was awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and Sea Service Ribbon with bronze star. While serving aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), the Nimitz-class Aircraft Carrier earned two Battle “E” awards.

As a lawyer and as an engineering technologist, Will is inspired by the technical principles instilled in him by the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program and Admiral Rickover’s innovative engineering philosophy. Following his military service, Will continued to advance his engineering acumen. He first worked as a control room operator and maintenance technician for a combined cycle (HRSG) peaking power plant.

Although his collegiate endeavors began with political science in mind, Will ultimately completed his undergraduate in Applied Science and Technology, focusing on Nuclear Energy Engineering Technology. He earned his bachelor’s degree while working as a Nuclear Inactivation Test Engineer for Newport News Shipbuilding. Alongside his sailor counterparts, Will supervised defueling plant operations during the decommissioning of ex-USS Enterprise (CVN 65).

Will’s career as in nuclear power was paused when his wife, an enlisted U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer, transitioned from precommissioning duty aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and was assigned to instructor duty at the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Training Command in Charleston, SC. Will’s wife blessed him with two children while she taught reactor theory to the U.S. Navy’s next generation of nuclear operators. During this time, Will attended Charleston School of Law and graduated cum laude (22 out of 217) and with honors in Maritime Law. While in law school, Will volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and as a student guardianship and conservatorship volunteer for the Charleston County Probate Court under the supervision of the Honorable Irvin G. Condon. In addition to maintaining his high academic standing and pursuit of volunteer opportunities in the Lowcountry, Will also studied for and passed the Patent Bar Exam and was registered as an agent with the USPTO.

Will’s professional interests span a vast spectrum, not only within the realm of engineering but also within the law. Proficient in mechanical, electrical, and electronic engineering as well as computer science, Will is an adept Intellectual Property attorney and can assist in all aspects of patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret prosecution and defense. Will has appeared as counsel of record in federal copyright infringement matters with potential for liability valued at over $2.3 million.  He has also assisted clients protect their creative and scientific endeavors by obtaining patent, trademark, and copyright registrations for clients. 

Will remains active and engaged with vast body of active duty and veteran members of the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, and is the official Intellectual Property Attorney for The Reactor is Critical™.

The son of a union business agent and labor advocate, Will is also highly interested in all forms alternative dispute resolution. He has been named to FINRA®’s panel of public arbitrators and has qualified to sit as arbitration panel chair. When not acting as a neutral, Will offers his services as counsel for parties engaged in arbitration or mediation of commercial and employment disputes.

Will is also highly adept in the law of the sea and practices as a maritime attorney. Will’s admiralty practice extends to all aspects of maritime logistics and vessel ownership, including insurance, vessel arrest, salvage, and maritime injury claims (including Jones Act and Longshore and Harbor Workers Act claimants and defendants). Will is also knowledgeable in other areas of the law, including bankruptcy, military and veteran law (including VA claims), regulatory and administrative law, and Native American (Tribal) Law.