About William
William R. 'Bill' Lane Jr.: Trusted Family Business & Estate Law Expert in Tampa, FL
Mr. William R. Lane Jr., known professionally as Bill Lane, is a distinguished attorney based in the Tampa office of Holland & Knight LLP. As a seasoned professional, Mr. Lane specializes in estate planning and family business succession planning with extensive experience in closely held companies and family businesses.
Practice Areas
- Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
- Nonprofit / Charities Law
- Tax Law
- Trusts and Estates
Brief Overview: Mr. Lane is the North/Central Florida regional team leader for the firm’s Private Wealth Services Practice Group, where he works with clients on various aspects of estate planning, family business succession, and dispute resolution involving trusts, estates, their fiduciaries, and beneficiaries.
Awards & Recognitions
- Lawyer of the Year: Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tampa (2025)
- Lawyer of the Year: Trusts and Estates, Tampa (2025)
- Lawyer of the Year: Trusts and Estates, Tampa (2023)
- Lawyer of the Year: Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Tampa (2022)
- Lawyer of the Year: Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tampa (2019)
- Lawyer of the Year: Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Tampa (2015)
Awards & Recipients: Mr. Lane has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America guide multiple times for his expertise in estate planning.
Educational Background & Bar Admissions
- Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC)
- Universities: University of Alabama; The University of Florida
- Bar Admissions: State of Florida
Affiliations
- Hillsborough County Chapter, American Red Cross
- Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC)
- Recognized Since: Recognized in Best Attorney USA since 2007
Languages
- English
Mr. Lane's extensive experience, coupled with his involvement in drafting key legislation such as the Florida Trust Code, the Florida Power of Attorney Act, and the Florida Limited Liability Company (LLC) Act, positions him as a thought leader in estate planning and family business succession.
Professional Philosophy: Mr. Lane is dedicated to guiding clients through complex legal landscapes, providing personalized solutions that ensure his clients' families are well-prepared for the future, while addressing their unique needs and circumstances.
Practice Areas
Case History
Professional Affiliations
Awards & Recognition
- Lawyer of the Year: Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tampa (2025)
- Lawyer of the Year: Trusts and Estates, Tampa (2025)
- Lawyer of the Year: Trusts and Estates, Tampa (2023)
- Lawyer of the Year: Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Tampa (2022)
- Lawyer of the Year: Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tampa (2019)
- Lawyer of the Year: Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Tampa (2015)
- Recognized: Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
- Recognized: Nonprofit / Charities Law
- Recognized: Tax Law
- Recognized: Trusts and Estates
- Special Focus: Estate Planning
- Special Focus: Gift Planning
- Special Focus: Nonprofit Organizations and Charitable Giving
- Special Focus: Planning for Closely Held Businesses
- Special Focus: Probate
- Special Focus: Succession Planning
- Special Focus: Tax
- Special Focus: Trust Administration
- The Best Lawyers in America guide, Tampa Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Lawyer of the Year, 2015
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
- Law and Psychology Review, Editorial Board
- Phi Alpha Theta
- Pi Sigma Alpha
- Phi Eta Sigma
- Legacy Award, American Red Cross, Hillsborough County Chapter, 2008
- Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend magazine, 2007-2008
- Florida Super Lawyers magazine, 2006-2016
- Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC)