“What drives me is the commitment I made to the people I represent”
Overview
At Spangenberg Shibley & Liber LLP, William Hawal is involved in litigating a wide variety of complex matters involving medical misdiagnoses, medical procedures, defective medical devices and drugs, civil rights, legal malpractice, and injuries due to defective industrial and consumer products.
Bill has significant experience in handling birth injury cases, with an emphasis on babies born with cerebral palsy due to oxygen deprivation around the time of delivery and families with severely disabled children.
Because of his extensive knowledge of product liability litigations, he has successfully tried and settled cases involving defective drugs and medical devices, helicopter components, automobiles, farm equipment, industrial machines, and other products.
Most recently, Bill litigated against the Opioid distributors in the consolidated MDL before Judge Polster. He also played a central role in the Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agent Litigation as part of Federal Multidistrict Litigation. Bill was responsible for conducting much of the discovery for the more than 600 cases brought against GE Healthcare Inc. related to its defective MRI contrast agent.
Bill has been invited to lecture on various topics related to personal injury trial practice. He is particularly proud of the lasting relationships he has developed with many of his clients.
Employment
- 2023 – present: Spangenberg Shibley & Liber LLP: Of Counsel
- 1980-2022 : Spangenberg Shibley & Liber LLP, Partner
Education
- 1980: Cleveland Marshall College of Law, J.D.- Cleveland, Ohio
- Graduated cum laude
- Associate Editor Law Review
- 1976: Ohio University, B.A.
Leadership and Professional Memberships
- American Association of Justice
- American Bar Association
- American Board of Trial Advocates Ohio Chapter, Past President
- American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
- American Constitution Society
- American Trial Lawyers Association
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
- Cleveland Academy of Trial Lawyers, Past President
- International Society of Barristers, Fellow
- Lawyers Committee of the National Center for State Courts
- National Trial Lawyers Association
- Ohio Association of Justice
- Ohio Eighth Judicial Conference, Life Member
- Ohio State Bar Association
- Ohio Supreme Court
- The Summit Council
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- 6th Circuit Court of Appeals
Awards and Honors
- Selected for fellowship with the American College of Trial Lawyers
- Selected for fellowship in the International Society of Barristers
- Selected for membership in the Summit Council
- Best Lawyers in America, Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs (2008-Present)
- Ohio Lawyer of the Year (2020)
- Selected to Ohio Super Lawyers, Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiff (2006-Present)
- Best Lawyers® 2015 Lawyer of the Year for Medical Malpractice in Northeast Ohio
- Leading Lawyers in Inside Business Magazine (2005-Present)
- The Ohio Association for Justice Distinguished Service Award
- Top 100 Lawyers, American Trial Lawyers Association
- AV rating, Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory
- Distinguished Service Award, Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers
Case Results
- Bill has multiple seven and eight-figure settlements and verdicts in state and federal courts throughout Ohio and other states.
Outside the Courtroom
Bill actively mentors law students and teaches trial advocacy to students in the trial advocacy program at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. He is a frequent lecturer on various topics related to trial practice.
Bill is an avid skier and martial arts practitioner.