William Merrill III Named to Florida Trend’s 2021 Legal Elite

July 16, 2021 – Sarasota

Icard Merrill Shareholder William W. Merrill III has been recognized in the 2021 edition of Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite™. The list of 1,263 honorees includes attorneys in private practice as well as top government and non-profit attorneys. Merrill was recognized in the category of Government and Administrative Law.

Now in its 18^th year, the Florida Legal Elite presents the state’s top licensed and practicing attorneys selected by their peers. To compile the list, Florida Trend invited all actively practicing Florida lawyers to name the attorneys that they hold in highest regard – lawyers with whom they have personally worked and would recommend to others. The ballots were processed, checked, and tabulated by an outside vendor. The winner list represents just over 1% of the active Florida Bar members who practice in Florida.

Merrill’s nationally recognized practice in land use, planning, transportation, and environmental law includes representation of both developers and public sector clients. He has exceptional skill and practical daily experience with state, regional and local development approval processes, including rezonings, comprehensive plan amendments, redevelopment, mixed use projects, developments of regional impact, environmental, coastal and water-related permitting, subdivision and platting, vested rights, and lobbying efforts. He also represents developers and lenders in complex real estate transactions.

Merrill’s extensive land use litigation experience complements his practice. He has been a regular speaker at growth management and land use conferences and has published a number of articles relating to land use law. He has actively served as a community leader and board member for local civic and charitable organizations.