"I have been serving clients for a long time. Because I have seen so much, I can predict with a high degree of accuracy how issues will unfold. My clients have confidence in me and in my counsel. They also appreciate that I’m a good listener who always determines what is most important to them in any given situation. That way, I can shape my advice to fit their vision precisely."

Practice Overview

With more than three decades of legal experience, William McGowin represents individuals and small- to medium-sized businesses in the areas of taxation, business succession planning, estate planning and probate, and corporate and business law. He helps them navigate tax planning and tax-exempt entity formation and operations, obtain and maintain tax-exempt status, and address prohibited transactions and avoid unrelated-business- income pitfalls.

William finds it highly gratifying to use his deep knowledge of tax law to help keep clients out of trouble. If they do become embroiled in conflicts, he advocates on their behalf before various taxing authorities and in court, including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the U.S. Tax Court, the Alabama Department of Revenue, and local revenue departments. When clients are faced with aggressive audits or investigations, William’s deep intellectual understanding of tax law and ability to build persuasive narratives for cases often enable him to don a white hat and ride to their rescue.

Companies grappling with questions of leadership in the wake of principles’ retirements or deaths or those looking ahead to potential future scenarios rely on William’s keen insight and direction to keep their businesses on track. In estate planning, he combines sensitivity and compassion with candid advice and a keen ability to size up family dynamics to get everyone on the same page and then reach fair resolutions. His knack at forging and nurturing strong, lasting relationships helps facilitate optimal outcomes.

When clients are making large strategic business decisions, William provides sage advice on both choice-of-entity issues and in the actual formation of corporations, limited liability companies, and similar organizations. He also adeptly guides clients in mergers, acquisitions, dissolutions, asset distributions, and compensation package conversions. William enjoys his role as an advisor who gains and maintains clients’ trust, helps businesses get started, set a course for growth, and overcome the problems and obstacles in their paths.

As a noted authority in his field, William speaks frequently at various tax, estate planning, and business planning seminars.