William J Butler
About
Provided by William J Butler
Practice Areas
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.
View more details here: https://www.mwe.com/en/team/b/butler-william-j
Publications
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).
Personal
Northwestern University School of Law, JD
DePauw University, BA, Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude
Chambers Review
High Net Worth
William Butler is head of the firm's private client group. A source notes: "He has a very big practice and he is a very effective lawyer," adding: "His bedside manner is amazing." Butler advises on tax, trusts and business succession planning.
William Butler "is the epitome of a trusted adviser," says a source, before continuing: "While he's a specialist within the estate planning, trusts and estates field, he's an expert generalist in many areas so that he can provide strategic and integrated advice to clients. He's very practical, proactive and strategic," states a source. Butler focuses his practice on high-profile succession planning cases, particularly for multi-generational families. He is highly respected for his expertise in estates and trusts.
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