After a distinguished legal career, Bill retired from the firm's law practice in the winter of 2022.

Bill's practice experience encompasses all areas of creditors' rights and real estate law.  He represents clients in connection with the negotiation and preparation of contracts and leases, the development of residential communities and commercial properties, the acquisition of easements, the examination of title to real property, and the closing of commercial loan financing.  Bill also provides counsel to borrowers and lenders in the completion of mortgage financing and provides general legal counsel to individual clients, community associations, and business clients, including representation of business clients in the purchase and sale of business interests.  He serves as an arbitrator and mediator throughout western North Carolina and is certified by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission to conduct mediated settlement conferences in the Superior Courts in North Carolina and in the Clerk of Superior Court program.

Education

• J.D., The University of North Carolina School of Law, 1972
• B.A., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1968

Honors and Distinctions*

• The Best Lawyers in America, Real Estate Law, 2018 - 2021
• "Lawyer of the Year," Best Lawyers, 2019, 2021

Professional and Community Affiliations

• 28th Judicial District Bar (past president)
• Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce (Folk Heritage Committee, member; Leadership Asheville Alumnus, Class IV)
• Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church (Elder)
• North Carolina Bar Association — Sections: Dispute Resolution (council member); co-chair, Clerk's Program Mediation Committee); Real Property
• North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission (Superior Court Mediator Certification)
• Pisgah Legal Services (President; board member)

Admitted to Practice

• North Carolina, 1972 
• All state courts in North Carolina

* Please see the following websites for an explanation of the membership standards for the following recognitions: www.bestlawyers.com; businessnc.com/special-sections/legal-elite/; and www.superlawyers.com/north-carolina.