William J. Berens
PEOPLE

William J. Berens

Partner
berens.bill@dorsey.com
Minneapolis P +1 (612) 340-2621 F +1 (612) 465-4253
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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
December 21, 2017
Congress Passes H.R. 8, the American Taxpayer Relief Act, and Averts the “Fiscal Cliff”
January 3, 2013

News & Press Mentions

201 Dorsey Lawyers Recognized in 2025 Best Lawyers in America, Lawyers of the Year, and Ones to Watch
August 15, 2024
Super Lawyers Recognizes 36 Dorsey Attorneys in Minneapolis
July 16, 2024
200 Dorsey Lawyers Selected for Inclusion in 2024 Best Lawyers in America, Lawyers of the Year, and Ones to Watch
August 17, 2023
Chambers High Net Worth 2023 Recognizes 6 Dorsey Lawyers and Private Wealth Practice
July 20, 2023
Super Lawyers Recognizes 27 Dorsey Attorneys in Minneapolis
July 17, 2023
Super Lawyers Recognizes 26 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
July 18, 2022
Chambers High Net Worth 2022 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
July 15, 2022
Chambers USA 2021 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Private Wealth Practice
July 22, 2021
Super Lawyers Recognizes 29 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
July 20, 2021
Super Lawyers Recognizes 38 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
July 20, 2020
Chambers USA 2020 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Private Wealth Practice
July 10, 2020
Chambers High Net Worth 2019 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Private Wealth Practice
July 15, 2019
Super Lawyers Recognizes 41 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
July 8, 2019
54 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis Selected for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2019 and 2019 Lawyers of the Year
August 15, 2018
Chambers USA 2018 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Private Wealth Practice
July 20, 2018
Super Lawyers Recognizes 36 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
July 5, 2018
51 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis Selected for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2018 and 2018 Lawyers of the Year
August 15, 2017
Super Lawyers Recognizes 36 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
July 5, 2017
48 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis and Fargo Selected for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2017 and 2017 Lawyers of the Year
August 15, 2016
Super Lawyers Recognizes 37 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
July 5, 2016
45 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis and Fargo Selected for Inclusion in "The Best Lawyers in America®" 2016 and "Best Lawyers of the Year"
August 17, 2015
Super Lawyers Recognizes 39 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
July 7, 2015
Super Lawyers Recognizes 39 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
July 7, 2014
Super Lawyers Recognizes 39 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
July 25, 2013

Events & Speaking Engagements

Family Office Forum: Miami Vice - Busting the Major Topics
February 16, 2006 - February 16, 2006

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

Tax Controversy & Litigation

Tax Controversy & Litigation

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Trusts & Estates Litigation

Trusts & Estates Litigation

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Nonprofit & Tax Exempt Organizations

Nonprofit & Tax Exempt Organizations

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Trusts & Estates

Trusts & Estates

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  • 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