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William E. Russell
Partner / ChicagoWilliam E. Russell is a Partner in the Private Client Services Practice of in Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP. Mr. Russell was previously the Co-Managing Partner of Freeborn & Peters, which combined with SGR in 2023.
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Full Bio
Mr. Russell advises closely held businesses and professionals on business and tax matters. His practice consists of corporate transactions and business consulting, advanced estate planning and probate, and asset protection.
As to business matters, Mr. Russell has handled the purchase and sale of private equity businesses and joint ventures. He has significant experience in the structuring of business entities, including limited liability companies, partnerships, S corporations, buy-sell agreements, deferred compensation arrangements, and general corporate transactional agreements. He has also advised business owners in the resolution of ownership and governance controversies.
Mr. Russell’s experience in advanced estate planning includes the restructuring of businesses or real estate to minimize estate taxes, family partnerships, grantor annuity trusts, qualified personal residence trusts, charitable trusts, trusts for children, insurance trusts, generation-skipping trusts, and retirement distribution planning as well as basic estate planning for all individuals. His practice also includes estate administration and post-mortem planning to minimize taxes.
Mr. Russell advises business owners on asset protection and workout matters, with particular emphasis on attributes of limited liability companies and limited partnerships. He represents real estate investors and developers in the financing and development of both commercial and residential properties, including specialized mezzanine financing and the structuring of real estate investment and development entities. Mr. Russell counsels on complex controversies involving trusts, trust and estate beneficiaries, and closely held business or investment entities.
Mr. Russell earned his B.A., magna cum laude, from Duke University and his M.B.A from Washington University in St. Louis. He holds a J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law.
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Representative Experience
- Structured a $300M cross border investment in real estate development in the U.S. by an Irish national for income and estate planning purposes.
- Represented a closely-held U.S./Indian technology services company in the combined sale of its US and Indian operations.
- Represented an Oregon-based manufacturer of audio and video equipment in a sale to a large family office.
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Bar Admissions
Illinois
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Education
Undergraduate- Duke University
Grad School- Washington University in St. Louis
Law School- Washington University School of Law
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Memberships
Former Chairman, Estate Tax Division of the Chicago Bar Association Federal Tax Committee
Chicago Bar Association
Illinois Bar Association
Chicago Estate Planning Council
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Recognitions
Leading Lawyers - Closely-Held Business Lawyers and Trust, Will & Estate Planning Lawyers in Illinois.
Martindale-Hubbell legal ability/ethical standards rating ("A-V") - Highest possible rating.
Illinois Leading Lawyers - 2020 (cited in multiple years).
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Publications and Speaking Engagements
“Structuring Trusts, Taxes, Transitions With Business Passion,” Leading Lawyers Magazine (June 2019).
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SGR Publications
- Partner William Russell Featured by American City Business Journals: High earners and business owners gain new tax options in 2026
- Partner William Russell Featured by American City Business Journals: New tax law offers expanded wealth-management options for high earners and business owners
- Fourth Quarter 2023: Private Wealth, Trusts & Estates Practice Group of Smith Gambrell & Russell LLP
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Press
- Smith Gambrell Russell Welcomes Back Former Freeborn & Peters Partner Adam Toosley, Further Elevating the Chicago Office
- Smith Gambrell Russell and Freeborn & Peters Complete Combination to Create Global Am Law 150 Firm
- Smith Gambrell Russell and Freeborn & Peters to Combine, Creating Global AmLaw 150 Firm