William J. "Bill" Berens
About William J. Berens
William J. Berens is a lawyer based in Minneapolis, MN and has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® since 1993. William J. Berens is recognized in the following practice areas:
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Litigation - Trusts and Estates
- Trusts and Estates
Current Firm: Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Education: University of Minnesota, J.D., graduated 1978
Location: Minneapolis, MN
It takes just a few minutes to optimize your profile for clients looking to engage and lawyers who are ready to refer.
Activate your profile and highlight why your peers recognized in Best Lawyers today.
Nearby Lawyers
Aaron G. Thomas is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Real Estate. Aaron G., who practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Aaron G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Bruce J. Douglas is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Bruce J., who practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Bruce J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Fredrick Krietzman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Community Association Law. Fredrick, who practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Fredrick is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
“My clients are priority number one. I approach each interaction with integrity, respect, and well-reasoned advocacy to best meet your needs. Working to reach a positive outcome for you is my greatest reward.” With more than four decades of experience, I have a depth of knowledge that gives me clarity, wisdom, and skills that few can match. It’s exciting for me to be at this point in my career and I look forward each day to making a difference in the lives of my clients. I h...
Gary A. Van Cleve is a seasoned trial attorney and an appellate advocate handling a full range of real estate-related litigation. Gary focuses on representing property owners in: (1) condemnation actions where either the government or a utility company takes private property for a public use through its power of eminent domain, (2) land use disputes with local governments typically involving zoning or permitting issues, and (3) property tax appeals. Gary is the chair of Larkin Hoffman’s...
Serena I. Chiquoine is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Franchise Law. Serena I., who practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Serena I. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jeffrey S. Sheridan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice and DUI / DWI Defense. Jeffrey S., who practices law in Eagan, Minnesota, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeffrey S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Rob Stefonowicz is an experienced trial attorney and appellate advocate. Rob is the chair of the Larkin Hoffman’s real estate litigation practice group. He advises clients on real estate, eminent domain, land use, environmental and construction-related disputes. Rob has extensive experience in eminent domain (condemnation) matters and has served as the chair of the Eminent Domain Section of the Hennepin County Bar Association (Minnesota’s largest district bar association). He was ...
Brendan has spent his entire career helping people seriously injured and their families. He began as part of a trial team working on behalf of a woman who lost fetal twins and the family of a man who died, both as a result of contaminated deli meat. Driven by that formative experience, he focused his practice on food poisoning cases and has represented people throughout the country. Over the past fifteen years, he has litigated countless product liability and food poisoning cases and achieved...
Tim is a skilled trial lawyer with more than 35 years of experience before state and federal courts—both in Minnesota and across the country. The key to his record of litigation achievements is his grasp of the technical issues and his high-level understanding of the complexities of the law. In his products liability litigation defense practice, Tim defends product liability cases and commercial cases for manufacturers in a number of industries, including: Power generation/energy Consum...
Explore and Learn
Recognizing Legal Leaders: The 2027 Best Lawyers Awards in Australia, Japan and Singapore
by Jamilla Tabbara
Market drivers, diversity trends and the elite practitioners shaping the legal landscape.
Holiday Pay Explained: Federal Rules and Employer Policies
by Bryan Driscoll
Understand how paid holidays work, when employers must follow their policies and when legal guidance may be necessary.
Can a Green Card Be Revoked?
by Bryan Driscoll
Revocation requires a legal basis, notice and the chance to respond before status can be taken away.
How Far Back Can the IRS Audit You?
by Bryan Driscoll
Clear answers on IRS statutes of limitations, recordkeeping and what to do if you are under review.
Musk v. Altman: The Lawyers Behind the Case
by Jamilla Tabbara
Meet the Trial Lawyers Shaping One of AI's Biggest Legal Disputes.
Can You File Bankruptcy on Credit Cards
by Bryan Driscoll
Understanding your options for relief from overwhelming debt.
US Tariff Uncertainty Throws Canada Into Legal Purgatory
by Bryan Driscoll
The message is clear: There is no returning to pre-2025 normalcy.
The Legal Teams Behind the Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni Settlement
by Grace Greer
A closer look at the legal teams and attorneys involved in the Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni litigation and its resolution.
How AI Is Changing the Way Clients Find Lawyers
by Jamilla Tabbara
Best Lawyers CEO Phil Greer explains how AI-driven search tools are reshaping legal marketing and why credibility markers matter.