William L. Guy III

William L. Guy III is Of Counsel and a senior member of Fredrikson & Byron’s Trusts & Estates team in Fargo. His practice focuses on estate planning, business succession, estate-tax minimization, wealth transfer, and asset-protection planning. He advises families, closely held business owners, farmers, ranchers, energy-interest owners, and professionals on strategies for transferring assets while addressing tax exposure, ownership continuity, and long-term family or business objectives.

William earned a J.D. from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1976 and a B.S. of B.A. in Accounting from the University of North Dakota in 1968. His accounting background and legal education provide a strong foundation for estate-tax, business-succession, and wealth-transfer planning. He is also a North Dakota certified public accountant on inactive status, adding financial perspective to planning involving closely held assets and complex ownership structures.

His clients have included owners of farms, ranches, oil and gas interests, agricultural businesses, real estate and construction companies, equipment businesses, professional practices, pharmacies, insurance operations, and family asset companies. William works with estate plans and succession arrangements designed to address management continuity, tax considerations, asset protection, and transfers among generations. His practice requires coordinating legal documents with the economic realities of family enterprises and investment holdings.

William L. Guy III has received sustained recognition from Best Lawyers and Chambers and has long served as a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. His decades of practice give clients experienced guidance on estate, tax, and succession matters that can affect both family wealth and operating businesses. He helps clients organize complex assets, plan future transfers, and create structures intended to preserve value and provide continuity over time.

Law Office Affiliations

• Of Counsel, Fredrikson & Byron P.A.
• Member, State Bar Association of North Dakota (1976-Present)
• Member, Minnesota State Bar Association (1976-Present)
• Advisor, UND School of Law Building Planning Committee (2013-2015)
• Member, Clay County Bar Association (1976-Present)
• Member, Cass County Bar Association (1976-Present)
• Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
• President, University of North Dakota Alumni Association (2007-2009)
• Director, University of North Dakota Foundation and University of North Dakota Alumni Association (2001-2012)
• Director, Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation (2000-2009)
• National Co-Chair, C-400 Project 16, Concordia College (2000-2003)
• Director, Fargo North Baseball Club (1999-2001)
• Director, Fargo North Raiders Youth Hockey Club (1990-1996)
• Director, Hope Lutheran Foundation (1989-1995)
• Director, American Lutheran Church Board of Pensions (1979-1987)
• Navy Supply Corps Officer, U.S. Navy (1969-1973)
• Pro Bono Attorney, Minnesota Assistance Council—Veterans (2013-Present)
• Estate Planning Law Specialist and Accredited Estate Planner certifications, National Association of Estate Planning Councils (2000-Present)
• Member, Association of Estate Planning Councils (2000-Present)
• Member, Red River Valley Estate Planning Council (1976-Present)
• Member, North Dakota Society of Certified Public Accountants (1973-Present)
• Member, Certified Public Accountant, North Dakota (1973-Present)
• Mentor, UND Pancratz Career Development Center (2012-Present)
• Volunteer, Sanford Health Veterans Services Team (2022-Present)
• Volunteer, Minnesota Advisory Council – Veterans (2019-Present)

Licensed State

• North Dakota
• Minnesota

Education

• University of North Dakota School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of North Dakota
  Bachelor of Science (BS) in Of B.A. in Accounting

Awards & Badges