William R. Bill Lane

Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law

5.0 (1 reviews)

Tampa, Florida

44+ years experience

Holland & Knight LLP

Updated: Jan 03, 2026

Contact Information

813-227-8500

https://www.hklaw.com/en/professionals/l/lane-william-r

100 North Tampa Street, Suite 4100, Tampa, FL 33602

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Bio

William R. Lane Jr. is a partner in Holland & Knight's Tampa office and practices in the areas of trusts and estates, tax exempt organizations and family business succession planning. Mr. Lane is the North/Central Florida regional team leader for the firm’s Private Wealth Services Practice Group.Mr. Lane works primarily in the areas of estate planning, family business succession planning, and resolution of disputes involving trusts, estates, their fiduciaries and beneficiaries. He served on the drafting committees for the Florida Trust Code, the Florida Power of Attorney Act and the Florida Limited Liability Company (LLC) Act. He is frequently called upon to lecture on estate planning topics. William R. Lane is the North/Central Florida regional team leader for the firm’s Private Wealth Services Practice Group.Mr. Lane works primarily in the areas of estate planning, family business succession planning, and resolution of disputes involving trusts, estates, their fiduciaries and beneficiaries. He served on the drafting committees for the Florida Trust Code, the Florida Power of Attorney Act and the Florida Limited Liability Company (LLC) Act. He is frequently called upon to lecture on estate planning topics. William R. Lane Jr. is a partner in Holland & Knight's Tampa office and practices in the areas of trusts and estates, tax exempt organizations and family business succession planning. Mr. Lane is the North/Central Florida regional team leader for the firm’s Private Wealth Services Practice Group. Mr. Lane works primarily in the areas of estate planning, family business succession planning, and resolution of disputes involving trusts, estates, their fiduciaries and beneficiaries. He served on the drafting committees for the Florida Trust Code, the Florida Power of Attorney Act and the Florida Limited Liability Company (LLC) Act. He is frequently called upon to lecture on estate planning topics.

Practice Areas

Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law

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)

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2007

Education

University of Florida, graduated 1981
The University of Alabama, graduated 1980

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Reviews

Andrew Nelson

2 weeks ago

A Master Strategist for Complex Family Wealth Planning

After navigating a complicated family business succession and the creation of a charitable foundation, I cannot overstate the value of Bill Lane's counsel. His 44 years of experience, particularly in trusts, estates, and tax-exempt organizations, were immediately apparent. He didn't just draft documents; he crafted a holistic strategy that addressed our financial, philanthropic, and familial goals with remarkable foresight. His deep knowledge of Florida law and his recognition as a 'Lawyer of the Year' in these fields is well-deserved. Bill and his team at Holland & Knight were consistently professional, responsive, and patient in explaining every nuance. The outcome provided our family with immense peace of mind and a legacy structure that will endure for generations.