William J. Castner

Bill Castner draws on a unique background in public and private practice to offer his clients strategic advice across many disciplines. In particular, having previously held the position of Senior Vice President of Corporate & Regulatory Affairs at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Bill has an in-depth understanding and view of the health care and insurance industries. His experience covers regulatory issues, government affairs, public affairs, ethics and corporate compliance. With these skills and insight, Bill is a sought-after advisor and highly regarded for his thorough understanding of the regulatory landscape.

Bill joins Connell Foley LLP after having served as Senior Advisor to the Governor on Firearms in the administration of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. In this regard, he advised on legal, regulatory and policy alternatives to help reduce gun violence in New Jersey. While at Horizon, Bill helped develop and implement the company’s federal and state legislative and regulatory agenda, including the enactment of out-of-network reform; protection against a $300 million reserve raid; implementation of the Affordable Care Act; and regulatory approval of commercial insurance products.

Having previously spent several years in private practice at Gibbons PC, Bill is adept at translating his public service work into tactical counsel for corporate clients. He has represented multiple Fortune 500 companies, health care systems and universities in a wide range of regulatory and compliance matters.

Bill’s impressive legal career began in the New Jersey Office of Legislative Services, where he drafted legislation and provided fiscal, legal and policy research for the New Jersey Legislature. He was appointed general counsel to the New Jersey General Assembly, serving as the chief legal adviser, and was then promoted to the position of executive director of the New Jersey General Assembly Majority Office, becoming the youngest director in that office’s history. Bill subsequently served as chief counsel to former Gov. Jon S. Corzine and then as commissioner on New Jersey’s State Commission of Investigation. He has also previously held the role of chief counsel to the New Jersey Redistricting Commission and to the New Jersey Apportionment Commission, as well as civil rights attorney for the Fair Share Housing Center.

Professional Associations

Board of Directors, South Jersey Chamber of Commerce (20I6-20I8)

United States Senator Cory Booker Judicial Advisory Panel (2015)

Office of Senate President, Judicial Advisor (2013-15)

Young Leaders, United States Representative, American Swiss Foundation (2013)

State Capitol Joint Management Commission (2008)

New Jersey Supreme Court, Ad Hoc Committee on Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (2007)

New Jersey Supreme Court Joint Working Group on IOLTA and Financial Institutions (2005)

Select Publications/News

New Jersey Law Journal: "Castner, Horizon VP and Former Gibbons Lobbyist, Named NJ Gun Control Czar"

ROl-NJ.com: "For Castner, confronting gun violence isn't job, but passion"

Rutgers University, Center on the American Governor, "Interview with Bill Castner"

Rowan University Alumni: "William Castner '95 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient"

Law360.com: "Gibbons Gov't Affairs Chief Takes VP Role With Horizon"

Corporate Counsel Business Journal: "Avoiding "Political Malpractice": Eight Tips to Design a Government Relations Strategy for Your Business"

New Jersey Law Journal: "Castner Named Chair of Gibbons' Government Affairs Practice”

Asbury Park Press: "Toms River East Grad Now Corzine's Counsel"

New Jersey Law Journal Editorial, "That Other State Lawyer"

Philadelphia Inquirer, "Camden Lawyer is Corzine's Counsel"

Insider NJ 

• "Insider 100: Power Publication" — #15 (2021) 
• "Top 1OO Policymakers" — #7 (2019)

ROI-NJ

• "Law Influencers" (2022)
• "lnfluencers Power List" (2018, 2020-2023)

New Jersey Globe

• "Power List" — #8 (2021)
• "Power List" — #9 (2020)

Armitage Distinguished Alumni Award, Rutgers School of Law Camden Alumni Association (2022)

New Jersey Policy Perspective's 20th Anniversary Honoree (2017)

Distinguished Alumnus Award, Rowan University (2016)

NJBIZ

• "Power List" (2016-2017)
• "Health Care Power 50 List" (2015-2017)

PolitickerNJ.com "Power List" (2004-2015)

Hall of Fame, Toms River Regional Schools (2013)

New Jersey Law Journal "New Leaders of the Bar" (2013)

Best Lawyers in America (2022-2024)

• Administrative/Regulatory Law

^{Please see Honor and Award Methodology. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.}