William D. Chapman

Bill joined Melick & Porter in 1988 and has been a Member of the firm since 1998. He is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell and has been repeatedly named a Massachusetts Super Lawyer (2004 – present). He concentrates his practice in the areas of general liability, professional liability, and the representation of insurers with regard to coverage issues, insurance fraud, and property claims. He has extensive trial experience. Recent experience includes defense verdicts in a $14 Million professional liability claim arising from an explosion in an underground vault causing death and personal injury (CT), a $6 Million claim for injuries sustained in a construction accident (MA), a $1 Million professional liability claim for uninsured property damage from Hurricane Sandy (CT), among numerous other matters. Bill has litigated cases varying from a class action under the Federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act, a series of professional liability actions across the United States arising out of the collapse of a prominent workers' compensation insurer, many professional liability claims against insurance agents and brokers (including alleged errors and omissions in the placement of general liability insurance, property insurance, workers' compensation, life insurance, construction bonds, fidelity bonds, and employee benefit plans) and other professionals such as real estate agents and brokers, architects, title abstractors, health/beauty and wellness professionals, numerous fire and explosion cases, construction cases, and product liability cases. Bill has also arbitrated and mediated numerous claims before the American Arbitration Association and other private dispute resolution entities. He is a former Member of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association.

Bill comes from a musical family and is involved in the production of live music with a focus on period performance. He enjoys time with his family as well as history, architecture, and kayaking the Kennebec River.

Bar Admissions

• Massachusetts
• First Circuit Court of Appeals

Education

• Suffolk University Law School, J.D. (1987)
• University of Massachusetts Amherst, B.A., cum laude (1983)

Awards and Honors

• Massachusetts Super Lawyers (2004-Present)

Affiliations

• Massachusetts Bar Association
• Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association (Board of Directors)
• Professional Liability Defense Association

Community Involvement

• Cantata Singers
• Emmanuel Music
• Professional Musicians Club, Inc.
• September 11th Fund
• The Henry Purcell Society of Boston, Inc. (Founder)
• The Parker Head School
• Work, Inc.