Parsons Behle & Latimer

Bill is an accomplished litigator, counselor and community leader in Wyoming with broad experience both inside and outside the courtroom. With a diverse skill set honed from long practice and community involvement, Bill embraces the privilege of helping people and organizations creatively overcome struggles and achieve their goals.

Capabilities

Biography

Bill is a third-generation Wyoming native, a graduate of Stanford University (’79) and the University of Wyoming College of Law (’83). Before commencing his law practice in Wyoming in 1990, Bill clerked for the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit (’84) and as an associate and shareholder in a Salt Lake City firm specializing in complex commercial litigation (’84-’90). Bill founded his own law firm in Jackson in 1990 (Ranck & Schwartz, LLC), which he managed until joining Parsons in January of 2024.

Bill has decades of experience litigating and resolving civil disputes of every kind. He has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide variety of cases involving complex business, real estate, family and constitutional issues. In addition to his litigation practice, Bill has significant real estate transactional experience and has devoted a substantial portion of his career working with non-profit organizations as an advocate, advisor and board leader. Bill has completed intensive conflict resolution training and is available to mediate in selected cases.

Experience

Bokole v. Garland, 2021 WL 3414104, No. 19-953 (10th Cir. Aug. 5, 2021)

Achieved reversal of asylum denial as court-appointed co-counsel for asylum seeker.

Ranch Family Division

Represented long term ranching family in connection with acrimonious division of multiple ranches and commercial properties, which involved mediation, arbitration, litigation. and ongoing negotiation.

Director of Wyo. Lands v Merbanco, 70 P.3d 241 (Wyo.2003)

On case of first impression to Wyoming Supreme Court successfully established constitutional authority for the exchange of state school trust lands as an alternative to sale, thereby protecting the loss of school lands with conservation value.

Accomplishments

Academic

University of Wyoming College of Law, 1983

· Associate Editor Wyoming Law Review

· Legal-writing instructor

Stanford University, 1979 A.B with departmental honors

Professional

Fellow, International Society of Barristers

Martindale-Hubbell AV Rating

Wyoming State Bar Public Service Award (2005)

Jackson Hole Cultural Council Award for Creativity (2006)

Associations

Professional

Wyoming State Bar Association (1983-current)

Utah State Bar Association (1984-94 (active); 1994-current (inactive))

Wyoming Lawyers Assistance Program, Board Member (2017-current)

Community

Center for Arts, Founding Board Member, Board Chair (1996-2006)

Astoria Park Conservancy, Founding Board Member, Board Chair (2015-2021)

Community Foundation of Jackson Hole, Founding Board Member

Teton County Public Education Coalition, Founding Board Member

Insights

Law360 Interviews Leah Schwartz, Managing Shareholder of Parsons' Jackson, Wyoming Office

Parsons Behle & Latimer Opens First Wyoming Office: Welcomes Jackson Firm Ranck & Schwartz

Credentials

Licensed

Wyoming

Utah

U.S. Dist. Court, Dist. of Wyoming

U.S. Dist. Court, Dist. of Utah

U.S. Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit

Education

University of Wyoming College of Law