Atty. William Jerrard Wise

Atty. William Jerrard Wise

William Jerrard Wise is a lawyer practicing federal income tax, estate and gift taxation, corporate and 2 other areas of law. William received a B.B.A. degree from University of Michigan in 1955, and has been licensed for 67 years.

Chicago Chicago 67 yrs experience 67 year
Call (312) 748-0609 Book Appointment

Corporate & More Attorney · Serving Chicago, IL · 67+ Years Experience

Profile Summary

About William Jerrard Wise at a Glance

William Jerrard Wise is a estate planning, business, tax, m&a, and estate tax attorney based in Chicago, Illinois. They have 67+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1959. Admitted to practice in Illinois (1959) and Colorado (1992). Educated at University of Michigan (J.D., 1958) and University of Michigan (B.B.A., 1955). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Serves clients in Chicago, IL and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated October 2026

About William Jerrard Wise

  • William Jerrard Wise is a lawyer practicing federal income tax, estate and gift taxation, corporate and 2 other areas of law
  • William received a B.B.A. degree from University of Michigan in 1955, and has been licensed for 67 years
  • William practices in Chicago, IL

Practice Areas Explained

William Jerrard Wise's Areas of Legal Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases William Jerrard Wise handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Chicago.

Estate Planning & Probate in Chicago

An estate planning attorney prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives to protect your family and pass on your assets.

William Jerrard Wise is one of 224,789 estate planning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse estate planning attorneys in Illinois →

Business & Corporate Law in Chicago

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

William Jerrard Wise is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Illinois →

Tax Law in Chicago

Tax attorneys handle IRS audits, tax debt, international tax, estate planning, and tax court litigation.

William Jerrard Wise is one of 84,606 tax attorneys indexed nationally. Browse tax attorneys in Illinois →

Mergers & Acquisitions in Chicago

William Jerrard Wise is one of 49,430 m&a attorneys indexed nationally. Browse m&a attorneys in Illinois →

Estate & Gift Tax in Chicago

William Jerrard Wise is one of 3,731 estate tax attorneys indexed nationally. Browse estate tax attorneys in Illinois →

Jurisdictional Context

Why Local Counsel Matters in Chicago

Practicing law in Illinois. Legal matters in Illinois are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Chicago are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Illinois state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Illinois brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Illinois courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Chicago Courts and Legal Process

Choosing a Chicago-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.

Looking for additional Illinois attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Chicago or all attorneys in Illinois.

Frequently Asked

Common Questions About William Jerrard Wise

Where is William Jerrard Wise's law office located?
William Jerrard Wise's law practice is located in Chicago, Illinois. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does William Jerrard Wise handle?
William Jerrard Wise focuses on estate planning, business, tax, m&a, estate tax. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Illinois.
How long has William Jerrard Wise practiced law?
William Jerrard Wise has 67+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1959.
Where did William Jerrard Wise go to law school?
William Jerrard Wise earned their education at (J.D., 1958); (B.B.A., 1955).
How can I contact William Jerrard Wise for a consultation?
You can contact William Jerrard Wise directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has William Jerrard Wise received?
William Jerrard Wise's notable recognition includes: AV Preeminent.

Professional Profile

Why Clients in Chicago Choose William Jerrard Wise

Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish William Jerrard Wise's practice in the field of estate planning, business, tax, m&a, and estate tax.

Decade-Tested Legal Experience

William Jerrard Wise brings 67+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.

Multi-State Bar Admission

Licensed in Illinois and Colorado, William Jerrard Wise can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.

Broad Practice Area Coverage

Covering estate planning, business, and tax, William Jerrard Wise can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.

Local Presence in Chicago

A Chicago-based practice means William Jerrard Wise attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.

Case Types

Common Legal Issues William Jerrard Wise Handles in Chicago

Below is a representative sample of the types of matters William Jerrard Wise has experience with under Illinois law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.

Last wills and testaments
Estate Planning
Revocable living trusts
Estate Planning
Powers of attorney
Estate Planning
Probate proceedings
Estate Planning
Business formation and structure
Business
Contract drafting and review
Business
Partnership disputes
Business
Merger and acquisition support
Business
IRS audit representation
Tax
Tax lien and levy defense
Tax
Offer in compromise
Tax
Business tax planning
Tax

This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact William Jerrard Wise directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.

Search Reference

How People Find William Jerrard Wise Online

Prospective clients searching for legal help in Chicago commonly use a combination of the attorney's name and their specific legal need. The following search terms frequently lead people to this profile and to attorneys like William Jerrard Wise.

William Jerrard Wise attorney William Jerrard Wise lawyer William Jerrard Wise Chicago William Jerrard Wise Illinois William Jerrard Wise reviews William Jerrard Wise contact estate planning attorney in Chicago estate planning lawyer Chicago best estate planning attorney Chicago top rated estate planning lawyer near me estate planning attorney Illinois find a lawyer near me how to hire an attorney

If any of the above matches what you searched for, you've found the right profile. Use the contact options at the top of this page to get in touch with William Jerrard Wise directly.

William Jerrard Wise's Practice Areas & Specializations

Education & Law School Background

J.D.
University of Michigan
- 1958
B.B.A.
University of Michigan
- 1955

Awards & Professional Honors

AV Preeminent

Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions

Illinois
Admitted: 1959
Colorado
Admitted: 1992

Client Reviews & Ratings — William Jerrard Wise

5.0
1 Review
5 0
4 0
3 0
2 0
1 0
These reviews belong to platform users; they do not constitute advertisement or promotion for the attorney. Opinions are published for informational purposes only.

No reviews yet.