Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
5.0 /5.0
5 Client Reviews
Free Consultation
$0 first 30 minutes
PRO
William Nelson Kirk
also known as William N. Kirk, Will Kirk
Virtual Consultation Available
Free Consultation
About William
Biography
William N. Kirk was born in Norton, Kansas and joined Gould Cooksey Fennell in 2004 where he now co-chairs the Estate Planning and Tax Group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of sophisticated estate and tax planning, probate and trust administration, and complex business transactions.
Mr. Kirk received his Juris Doctor degree, magna cum laude, from the Washburn University School of Law in 1990. Graduating first in his law school class, he earned eleven American Jurisprudence Awards for receiving the highest grade in nearly one-third of his law school courses, including wills and estates, trusts, taxation, contracts, real property, corporations, partnerships, and ethics. In addition, he served as the Notes Editor of the Washburn Law Journal and was a member of the Washburn Moot Court Council. Mr. Kirk earned an LL.M. in Estate Planning from the University of Miami School of Law where he was named an Estate Planning Fellow because of his academic achievement and potential for excellence in the field of estate planning.
Following graduation from the Washburn University School of Law, Mr. Kirk joined the corporate business department of Foulston & Siefkin L.L.P., the largest law firm based entirely in the State of Kansas, where he focused his practice on complex business and securities transactions. In 1996, he left the private practice of law and became a principal and executive officer of a family-owned, multi-unit restaurant company located in Palm Beach County, Florida. In 2002, Mr. Kirk commenced his studies in taxation and estate planning at the University of Miami School of Law and became a member of the Florida Bar.
Mr. Kirk is a Past President of the Indian River County Estate Planning Council and Past Director of the Planned Giving Council of Indian River. He is a member of the Indian River County Bar Association and of the Taxation and Real Property, Probate and Trust Law sections of the American Bar Association and the Florida Bar.
Apart from the practice of law, Mr. Kirk is also involved in various civic and charitable organizations. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the United Way of Indian River County, and acts as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for United Way Foundation of Indian River County. He also serves on various advisory councils, including the Professional Advisors Council of the Indian River Community Foundation and The VNA Foundation Planeed Giving Active Council. He has also served in various leadership roles for the St. Edwards Cub Scout Pack 512 for eight years, including Den Leader, Cubmaster and Pack Committee Chairman.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Business
20%
36 years
Estate Planning
20%
24 years
Probate
20%
24 years
Tax
20%
24 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Check
Awards
Licenses
Licensed in Florida for 23 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 2002
No misconduct found
Licensed in Kansas for 35 years
State: Kansas
Acquired: 1990
No misconduct found
Location
Gould Cooksey Fennell, P.A.
(772) 231-2020
Fax
979 Beachland Blvd., Vero Beach, FL, 32963-1688
gouldcooksey.com/teammembers/william-n-kirk/Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find William online.
William Nelson Kirk's Reviews
William Nelson Kirk's Lawyer Endorsements
No Endorsement Data Available Yet
This attorney hasn't received any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.
Philip DiComo
Business lawyer
David Benedetto
Estate planning lawyer
Experience
Honors
2015
Pinnacle Award, Indian River Estate Planning Council
2014
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2012
BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2011
BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2010
BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2009
BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2003
LL.M. Esate Planning, University of Miami
2002
Estate Planning Fellow, University of Miami School of Law
1988
Washburn Law Journal, Washburn University School of Law
1987
Washburn Moot Court Council, Washburn University School of Law
1986
Phi Kappa Phil, Kansas State University
1985
Blue Key Honor Society, Kansas State University
N/A
American Jurisprudence Award, Washburn University School of Law
N/A
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Work Experience
2012 - Present
Co-Chair, Estate Planning and Tax Group, Gould Cooksey Fennell, P.A.
2004 - Present
Partner, Gould Cooksey Fennell, P.A.
1900 - Present
Shareholder, Gould Cooksey Fennell, PLLC
1996 - 2002
Executive Vice President and General Counsel, HeatWave Incorporation
1990 - 1995
Associate, Foulston Siefkin LLP
Associations
2012 - Present
United Way Foundation of Indian River CountyChairman of the Board of Directors
2011 - Present
United Way of Indian River CountyBoard of Directors
2011 - Present
Indian River Community FoundationProfessional Advisors Council
2011 - Present
VNA Foundation Planned GivingActive Council
2002 - Present
Florida Bar Association, Taxation SectionMember
Indian River County Bar Association
Member
American Bar Association, Taxation Section
Member
American Bar Association, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
Member
Florida Bar Association, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
Member
2009 - 2010
Indian River Estate Planning CouncilPresident
2007 - 2010
Planned Giving Council of Indian RiverDirector
Sample of Legal Cases
In re: Termination of Trust
Petitioner's requested relief granted.
Education
2003
University of Miami School of Law
LL.M - Estate Planning
1990
Washburn University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1986
Kansas State University
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2009
CPA Roundtable Luncheon (Scheduled for December 2009)
Using Alternative Valuation Date for Funding Estate Tax Exemption and Marital Deduction Shares in a "Zero Tax" Estate Plan
Publications
2012
Indian River Coummunity Foundation Newsletter
Providing Solutions for Advisors and Clients
1991
Kansas Municipal Law Annual
Kansas Open Meetings: An Executive Session Primer
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides