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).
Education
Northwestern University School of Law, JD, 1987
DePauw University, BA, Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude, 1982
Admissions
Illinois
Wisconsin
Michigan
Partner | Chicago
Chicago: +1 312 984 7561
Chicago: +1 312 984 7700
Chicago, IL / McDermott Event / September 18 - 19, 2019
Chicago, IL / McDermott Event / May 13 - 15, 2019
Trust Administration - 2019 Edition / March 21, 2019
Chicago, Illinois / McDermott Event / May 14 - 16, 2018
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania / McDermott Event / June 5 – 7, 2017
Los Angeles, California / McDermott Event / March 1, 2017
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London / Accolades & Rankings / July 16, 2019
McDermott’s Private Client Practice In A “League Of Its Own” According ...
Los Angeles / Press Releases / April 8, 2019
McDermott Bolsters Wealth Preservation and Asset Protection Offerings for High Net Worth ...
London / Accolades & Rankings / July 27, 2018
McDermott’s Private Client Practice Recognized as “Complete Powerhouse” in Chambers High ...
Washington, DC / Press Releases / April 9, 2018
McDermott Enhances Private Client Offerings with Arrival of New Partner in DC
Chicago / Press Releases / January 22, 2018
Press Releases / August 15, 2016
Boston / Accolades & Rankings / August 19, 2014
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