William J. Berens
PEOPLE

William J. Berens

Partner
berens.bill@dorsey.com
Minneapolis P +1 (612) 340-2621 F +1 (612) 465-4253

Overview

BILL ASSISTS CLIENTS IN ESTATE PLANNING, FAMILY OFFICE REPRESENTATION, BUSINESS AND SUCCESSION PLANNING, ESTATE AND TRUST ADMINISTRATION, AND ESTATE AND TRUST LITIGATION.

Bill is a partner and previously served as Co-Chair of the Tax, Trusts & Estates department.

Education & Admissions

University of Minnesota Law School (J.D., 1978), magna cum laude; Order of the Coif;
Articles Editor, Minnesota Law Review, 1977-1978

College of St. Thomas (B.A., English, 1975), summa cum laude

Admissions

  • Minnesota

News & Resources

Articles

New Tax Act
Congress Passes H.R. 8, the American Taxpayer Relief Act, and Averts the “Fiscal Cliff”

News & Press Mentions

201 Dorsey Lawyers Recognized in 2025 Best Lawyers in America, Lawyers of the Year, and Ones to Watch
Super Lawyers Recognizes 36 Dorsey Attorneys in Minneapolis
200 Dorsey Lawyers Selected for Inclusion in 2024 Best Lawyers in America, Lawyers of the Year, and Ones to Watch
Chambers High Net Worth 2023 Recognizes 6 Dorsey Lawyers and Private Wealth Practice
Super Lawyers Recognizes 27 Dorsey Attorneys in Minneapolis
Super Lawyers Recognizes 26 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
Chambers High Net Worth 2022 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Chambers USA 2021 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Private Wealth Practice
Super Lawyers Recognizes 29 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
Super Lawyers Recognizes 38 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
Chambers USA 2020 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Private Wealth Practice
Chambers High Net Worth 2019 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Private Wealth Practice
Super Lawyers Recognizes 41 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
54 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis Selected for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2019 and 2019 Lawyers of the Year
Chambers USA 2018 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Private Wealth Practice
Super Lawyers Recognizes 36 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
51 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis Selected for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2018 and 2018 Lawyers of the Year
Super Lawyers Recognizes 36 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
48 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis and Fargo Selected for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2017 and 2017 Lawyers of the Year
Super Lawyers Recognizes 37 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
45 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis and Fargo Selected for Inclusion in "The Best Lawyers in America®" 2016 and "Best Lawyers of the Year"
Super Lawyers Recognizes 39 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
Super Lawyers Recognizes 39 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
Super Lawyers Recognizes 39 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis

Events & Speaking Engagements

Family Office Forum: Miami Vice - Busting the Major Topics

Select Presentations

  • Adjunct Professor, Wills and Trusts, William Mitchell College of Law, 1982-1984
  • Instructor, Estate Planning and Administration for Paralegals, University of Minnesota, 1981

Industries & Practices

  • Nonprofit & Tax Exempt Organizations
  • Tax Controversy & Litigation
  • Trusts & Estates
  • Trusts & Estates Litigation

Accolades

  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America©, 1993-2025
  • Listed in Minnesota Super Lawyers®, 1999-2024
  • Named a Top Lawyer in Trusts and Estates by Minnesota Monthly, 2024
  • Recognized by Chambers High Net Worth (HNW) for Private Wealth Law – Minnesota, 2018-2023
  • Fellow, American College of Trust & Estate Counsel, 1999-present
  • American Research Corporation, Leading Minnesota Attorneys, 1997-present
William J. Berens