William E. Bill Bonano

Litigation and Controversy - Tax

5.0 (1 reviews)

San Francisco, California

48+ years experience

Pillsbury

Updated: Jan 03, 2026

Contact Information

415-983-1000

https://www.pillsburylaw.com/en/lawyers/william-bonano.html

Four Embarcadero Center, 22nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111-5998

Create an account to contact this attorney

Bio

William E. Bonano is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation and Controversy - Tax and Tax Law.William E., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. William E. Bonano is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation and Controversy - Tax and Tax Law.William E., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. William E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Practice Areas

Litigation and Controversy - Tax

Awards & Recognition

Lawyer of the Year: Litigation and Controversy - Tax, San Francisco (2014)
Recognized: Litigation and Controversy - Tax
Recognized: Tax Law
Special Focus: Tax Disputes
Special Focus: Transfer Pricing

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2008

Education

University of Washington, J.D., graduated 1977

Get Directions on Google Maps

Reviews

Joshua Miller

2 weeks ago

A Master of Tax Litigation with Unparalleled Experience

Our company faced a high-stakes, multi-year tax controversy with the IRS that threatened significant financial and reputational damage. After a disappointing experience with another firm, we were referred to William Bonano at Pillsbury. From our first meeting, it was clear we were in the hands of a true expert. Mr. Bonano’s 48 years of experience, particularly his deep focus on litigation and controversy in tax law, provided an immediate sense of confidence. He didn't just understand the letter of the tax code; he possessed a profound strategic understanding of how to navigate disputes with taxing authorities. His recognition as a 'Lawyer of the Year' in this very field was evident in every discussion. Mr. Bonano and his team crafted a meticulous, fact-driven defense that ultimately led to a highly favorable settlement, resolving issues we thought were intractable. Beyond his formidable expertise, his professionalism and calm, steady guidance were invaluable during a stressful period. For any complex tax litigation in San Francisco, William Bonano is the attorney you want on your side.