Bill Keeler is a Shareholder in Buchalter’s Portland office and a member of the Firm’s Tax & Estate Planning practice group. Mr. Keeler brings more than 40 years of experience representing families, individuals, and trustees in various estate and trust disputes. Mr. Keeler focuses on all matters involving estates, trusts, and conservatorships, and has been designated an expert witness in trust, estate and conservatorship litigation as well as in related tax and professional negligence cases. He has also served as a mediator for trust, estate and conservatorship disputes, bringing an extensive knowledge of estate planning and trust administration, practical, as well as real life experience as trial counsel and his training as a mediator, to settling cases in the same trusts’ and estates’ arena.

Mr. Keeler taught Estate Planning at California State University, Fresno, sharing his considerable knowledge and experience with students for over a decade. He has since lectured extensively for Continuing Education of the Bar, the National Business Institute, and addressed numerous Bar Associations, Estate Planning Councils, and estate planning professionals. Mr. Keeler has served as judge pro tem in the probate departments of the Fresno County Superior Court, and the Orange County Superior Court.

Mr. Keeler has been recognized as a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law, by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. He also has Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating, and was named in 2012 to the Oregon Super Lawyers list.

Mr. Keeler earned his J.D from University of Southern California Law Center, and obtained his B.A., from University of Notre Dame.

  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
  • U.S. Court of Military Appeals
  • U.S. Tax Court
  • Association of Business Trial Lawyers, Member, 2002-present
    • San Joaquin Chapter, Board of Directors, 2009-present
    • Annual Seminar Planning Committee, 2011
  • Fresno County Superior Court, Probate Department, Judge Pro Tem, 1996-2002
  • Notre Dame Law Association, Member
  • Orange County Bar Association, Member
    • Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Law Section, 1985-1989
    • Education Officer, 1986-1987
    • Secretary, 1987-1988
    • Vice Chair, 1988-1989
    • Probate Policy Memorandum Revision Committee, Chair, 1985-1986
    • Section Education Officer and Moderator, 1986
    • Resolutions Committee, 1988
    • Conference of Delegates, 1988-1989
    • C.B.A. Probate Clinic
    • State Controller’s Office Liaison Committee, Legislative Review Committee, Member
  • Orange County Superior Court, Probate Department, Judge Pro Tem, 1988
  • Oregon Mediation Association, Member
  • Owen M. Panner American Inn of Court, Member
  • Thomas More Law Society, Member
  • Catholic Professional & Business Breakfast Club, Fresno, California, Board of Directors, 1997-2001
  • S.P., Inc. (Community Service Programs), Member
    • Board of Directors, Former President
    • Victim Witness Advisory Board
  •  Fresno Estate Planning Council, Member
    • Treasurer, 1989-1999
    • Board of Directors, 1994-1999
    • President, 2000-2001
  • Newport Beach Estate Planning Council, Member
  • Notre Dame Clubs of Fresno, Orange County and Portland, Member
  • Orange County Estate Planning Council, Member
  • Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Clovis, California, School Board Member, 1994-1999
  • San Joaquin Memorial High School, Fresno, California, School Board Chair, 1998-2001

Additional Specialties

Estate Tax and Trust and Estate Litigation