Bill McMahon

Practice Areas

Employment Litigation Prevention & Defense

Appellate

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Employee Benefits

ERISA Litigation

Trade Secrets & Unfair Competition

Career

Bill represents employers in a wide range of employment matters, with a strong focus on ERISA litigation and employee benefits disputes.

He defends public and private companies in litigation involving retirement plans, health and welfare benefits, fiduciary obligations, and claims brought under ERISA. As Co-Chair of Constangy’s ERISA Litigation Practice Group, Bill regularly advises clients facing class actions and individual claims involving breach of fiduciary duty, denial of benefits, and prohibited transactions. His practice also includes counseling employers on plan administration and risk mitigation under the ERISA framework.

In addition to his ERISA-focused work, Bill handles employment matters involving restrictive covenants, trade secrets, whistleblower claims, employee fraud, and employment tax disputes—including matters related to independent contractor misclassification. He also litigates claims involving employment discrimination, retaliation, and wage and hour issues. Bill brings a trial-oriented mindset to each case, shaped by his experience representing clients in state and federal court, including the United States Tax Court. His analytical approach—grounded in his academic background in accounting and philosophy—helps him simplify complex disputes and focus early on what will matter most at trial.

Since 2010, Bill has served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Wake Forest University School of Law, where he created and teaches a course on Employee Benefits and Pension Law. His combined experience as a litigator, advisor, and educator allows him to provide strategic, well-rounded counsel to employers navigating evolving regulatory and litigation risks.

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section

North Carolina Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section

Education

Awards

Expert in these Jurisdictions

North Carolina

U.S. Supreme Court

U.S. Court of Appeals - Fourth Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals - Seventh Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals - D.C. Circuit

U.S. Tax Court

U.S. District Court - NC - E.D., M.D., W.D.