William Bogot

Practice Areas

Bill focuses his practice on regulatory and administrative law, particularly in the cannabis and gaming sectors.

Nationally ranked by Chambers USA as a leading lawyer in Cannabis Law, Bill serves as Co-Chair of our Cannabis Law Practice. He leads a national team of cannabis law attorneys who provide a comprehensive suite of legal services to businesses operating in the legalized cannabis industry.

Bill also leads a thriving gaming law practice. A former legal adviser to the Illinois Gaming Board, he guides a variety of national gaming industry companies, suppliers and investors through the complex web of laws and regulations both in Illinois and other states.

Cannabis Law

Recognized as a “Trailblazer” in cannabis law by The National Law Journal, Bill is a sought-after authority on legal developments surrounding the production, distribution and marketing of medical and adult-use cannabis products. He is frequently asked to speak at high-profile conferences on the regulatory and corporate issues shaping the sector and its burgeoning businesses.

Representing some of the largest multi-state cannabis operators in the country, Bill litigates a range of civil and regulatory issues. He’s secured coveted licenses in key markets and waged administrative and court challenges against license denials, revocations and disciplinary actions.

Bill also helps key players in the recreational and medical cannabis space navigate complex regulations and facilitate industry-shaping mergers and acquisitions. His multidisciplinary practice reaches major cannabis markets across the country, assisting private and public cannabis companies with a range of shareholder liability, venture capital, taxation, employee, trademark and financial services issues.

In Illinois’ cannabis market, Bill spearheaded efforts that amended the Illinois Supreme Court Rules to allow for legal representation of cannabis clients and has served regional clients since medical marijuana was legalized in 2013.

Gaming Law

National gaming industry companies, suppliers and investors rely on Bill’s experience when applying for gaming licenses across the country and defending gaming licenses in disciplinary proceedings. He has successfully prevented regulators from revoking licenses and helped clients mitigate damages.

In addition, Bill provides counsel on promotional sweepstakes, contests, fantasy sport leagues and charitable raffles, ensuring that such programs comply with state and federal laws and do not constitute illegal gambling.

Bill also assists gaming regulators and lawmakers with crafting new and revised gaming regulations. As a former legal adviser to the Illinois Gaming Board, Bill authored much of Illinois’ gaming regulations and advised the board and the governor’s office on all aspects of gaming law and regulation.

Administrative Law

Drawing on his extensive government experience, Bill frequently represents clients in a wide variety of industries in administrative hearings, trial courts and appellate courts across the country.

Over the years, he has successfully litigated countless cases involving various state administrative procedure acts and constitutional claims involving state agencies.

Just in Illinois alone, Bill has represented clients involved with the Illinois Racing Board, the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Illinois State Board of Elections, the University of Illinois, the Illinois Department of Central Management Services, the Illinois Secretary of State, the Illinois Department of Revenue, the Illinois Department of Agriculture, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board, the Illinois Comptroller, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, the Illinois Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, the Cook County Department of Revenue, the City of Chicago and numerous other Illinois municipalities.

In addition, Bill’s litigation experience includes acting as lead counsel in multiple state and nationwide class actions and handling commercial and regulatory disputes between competitors.

Career

Prior to joining Fox Rothschild, Bill was a partner at Nixon Peabody (previously Ungaretti & Harris). Bill was also Acting General Counsel and Legal Counsel to the Illinois Gaming Board for over seven years. Early in his legal career, he was Assistant General Counsel to the Illinois House of Representatives and the judicial law clerk for the Honorable Aaron Jaffe in the Chancery Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Professional Memberships

Chicago Bar Association | Hemp Industry Association | International Association of Gaming Advisors | International Masters of Gaming Law | Illinois Cannabis Bar Association | National Cannabis Bar Association | Cannabis Law Journal, Editorial Board Member

Expert in these Jurisdictions

Bar Admissions: Illinois | Michigan | Wisconsin

Education