Bill was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. He received his B.A. with honors from St. Mary’s Seminary and University in 1967. He received his J.D. with honors in 1973 from the University of Florida, where he was an Executive Editor of the University of Florida Law Review. Bill served in the United States Air Force from 1967 to 1971. Bill is admitted to the Florida and Montana Bars, and he is a member of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar.
Charles W. (Bill) Littell graduated from St. Mary’s Seminary & University in Baltimore, Maryland, with honors in 1967. After serving in the Air Force from 1967 to 1971, Bill attended law school at the University of Florida, again graduating with honors. Bill began practice in West Palm Beach where he was a partner in the law firm of Holland & Knight, LLP, one of the nation’s largest law firms as a member of its Trusts & Estates Group. Bill moved Gainesville in 2003 to be near family. Bill is a member of The Florida Bar and the State Bar of Montana.
Bill has devoted his career to assisting clients in their estate planning and in the difficult circumstances following the death of a family member. He brings over 45 years of extensive experience in all aspects of estate planning–everything from simple wills to complex family business succession situations, irrevocable trusts for estate tax planning purposes, and resolution of estate tax issues with the Internal Revenue Service. Bill has represented personal representatives, trustees, and beneficiaries concerning their duties and rights, including complex disputes involving wills, trusts, and estates. Bill is rated AV-Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest peer review rating attainable from one of the nation’s oldest and most trusted lawyer rating services.
Bill has wide ranging experience in drafting wills and trusts, tax planning for high-net-worth clients, and in the administration of estates and trusts. He has represented numerous personal representatives, trustees, and beneficiaries in estate related litigation, including will and trust contests, removal and surcharge of personal representatives, breaches of fiduciary duty, and reformation and modification of trusts. Bill advises clients concerning intergenerational transitions of family held businesses, asset protection, and represents clients in the purchase and sale of substantial family-owned businesses.
Published Decisions
• In Re: Estate of Elizabeth H. Hillyer, Deceased, 664 So. 2d 361, 4th DCA Fla. 1995
Honors and Awards
• Air Force Commendation Medal
• AV Preeminent-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Past Employment
• United States Air Force, 1968 – 1972
• O’Connell & Cooper, P.A., Associate, 1974 – 1975
• O’Connell, Cooper, Parrish & McBane, P.A., Shareholder, 1975 – 1982
• Nova University College of Law, Adjunct Professor (Legal Writing), 1977 – 1978
• Murphy, MacLaren, & Littell, P.A., Florida, Shareholder, 1982 – 1983
• Charles W. Littell, P.A., Florida, Shareholder, 1983 – 1985
• Quarles & Brady, LLP, Partner, 1985 – 1996
• Holland & Knight, LLP, Partner, 1996 – 2003
• Scruggs, Carmichael & Wershow, PA, Shareholder, 2003 – 2021
Professional Associations and Memberships
• Eighth Judicial Bar Association
• The Florida Bar Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
