William C. Williams

William C. Williams received a Bachelor of Arts degree (English, with distinction) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1982, and his law degree (cum laude) from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1985. He has an "AV-Preeminent" rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

Bill's practice focuses on probate and estate planning for individuals, including business owners, and representing businesses of all kinds, including regulated public utilities, telecommunications providers and healthcare professionals. Bill advises clients on business organization, general business matters, financing, mergers and acquisitions, and succession planning. He also defends attorneys facing professional malpractice claims.

Bill is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin and its Business Law, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law and Energy & Telecommunications sections, the Dane County Bar Association and the Madison Estate Council.

Bill is a lifelong resident of the Madison area. He lives in Middleton with his wife and three daughters.

Representative Clients
Access Wisconsin, Amherst Telephone Company, Great Dane Pub and Brewing Company, City Gas Company, Hillsboro Telephone Company, Lemonweir Valley Telephone Company, Solarus, St. Croix Valley Natural Gas Company, Northwestern Wisconsin Electric Company, Door Creek Dental.

Bell, Moore & Richter, S.C. Celebrating 170 Years

Bell, Moore & Richter, S.C. is proud to announce that they have been providing 170 years of legal services to individuals and businesses.

U.S. News - Best Lawyers® Announce 2022 “Best Law Firms” Ranking

Bell, Moore & Richter, S.C. has been recognized by U.S. New & Best Lawyers® as a Madison Metropolitan "Best Law Firm." "Firms are recognized for professional excellence with consistently impressive ratings from clients and peers."

U.S. News - Best Lawyers® Announce 2021 “Best Law Firms” Ranking

Bell, Moore & Richter, S.C. has been recognized by U.S. News & Best Lawyers® as a Madison Metropolitan "Best Law Firm." "Firms are recognized for professional excellence with consistently impressive ratings from clients and peers."

IRS Revenue Procedures 2017-58 - What You Should Know

It's Official. The 2018 annual exclusion amount will be $5.6 million and the annual exclusion for gifts will be $15,000 per person. These and all of the other inflation adjusted tax items are set out in the IRS Revenue Procedure 2017-58 (which you can see in the attached link).

New Partnership Audit Rules

The IRS will begin using a new approach to auditing entities taxed as partnerships for tax years starting on or after January 1, 2018. Read more. (By William C. Williams and Kelly J. Stohr)

Digital Millennium Copyright Act Agent Registration

If you provide Internet access service, host a website, or operate your own website you should read this memo. (By: William C. Williams)

Is it Really the IRS Calling?

Telephone and on-line scams are rampant, bold and creative. Many involve scammers pretending to be IRS agents. The Service has issued an information release explaining how the IRS contacts taxpayers, what legitimate IRS representatives will or will not ask you to do, and even what identification revenue agents are required to provide. (Article by William C. Williams)

New Wisconsin Court of Appeals Ruling - Employers May Need to Review Existing Non-Solicitation Agreements

Attorney Bill Williams is interviewed by "In Business Magazine" reporter Jason Busch to look at the recent Wisconsin Court of Appeals ruling regarding former business employees poaching staff from their former employers. Read the attached article entitled "Personal Plunder" by Jason Busch to find out more.

Estate Tax Portability Is Not for Everyone

Married couples have been able to make the unused estate tax exclusion of a deceased spouse's estate available to the surviving spouse's estate. This concept is referred to as "portability." However, it is not the best choice in all cases and should not be used without thinking through all the possible implications. (Newsletter by William C. Williams)

Who Should Be Your Trustee?

This newsletter focuses on choosing a trustee for a trust that would hold and distribute assets after your death for the benefit of your surviving spouse, children, or both.(Newsletter by William C. Williams)