Overview
William (Bill) J. Butler focuses his practice on estate planning and probate administration matters. Bill counsels family groups and individuals on all aspects of wealth transfer planning, with an emphasis on formulating estate plans that maximize and protect wealth while minimizing transfer taxes. Bill is the global head of McDermott’s Private Client Practice.
Bill represents many large, multigenerational family groups, and also advises with their family office executives on family office administration and structure issues. Bill regularly counsels younger generation family members on learning to be responsible wealth managers. He also assists a number of families on all legal issues involving their privately owned business, including shareholder voting arrangements, succession planning and shareholder agreements.
Bill speaks on estate planning topics before bar groups, family office executives and at employer-sponsored seminars. He is also a co-author of Discretionary Trust Distributions (Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education – Illinois Trust Administration handbook).
Recognitions
- Chambers High Net Worth 2019, Illinois: Private Wealth and USA Nationwide: Private Wealth
- The Best Lawyers of America 2013 to 2020, Trusts and Estates
- Leading Lawyers Network 2010 and 2015
Community
- Horizons for Youth Leadership Council
Credentials
Education
Northwestern University School of Law, JD, 1987
DePauw University, BA, Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude, 1982
Admissions
Illinois
Wisconsin
Michigan
