Attorney Bill Maguire Focuses On Wealth Management And Commercial Law

Bill Maguire, a 25-year Wellington resident, has worked as a wealth-planning civil law attorney serving the Palm Beaches for the past eight years. Maguire has wanted to help people and families manage their wealth and assets since the beginning of his law education and career.

“I always wanted to be an attorney, and throughout my undergraduate years and throughout law school, I became more tax and business oriented,” Maguire explained. “I became more [interested] in topics that are prevalent in South Florida, such as small business owners and professionals who need not just business advice, but also wealth and tax advice.”

After attending Florida Atlantic University for his bachelor’s degree, Maguire earned his law degree from the Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville. He then attended the University of Florida and received a master’s degree in taxation, fully combining his passion for law and wealth management.

Since receiving his degrees and being sworn into the Florida Bar, Maguire returned to Wellington — his home since 1993 — and eventually opened his own law firm, Maguire Law Chartered, three years ago.

“I attended Wellington Elementary School, Wellington Landings Middle School and Wellington High School and now serve people from [the western communities] and all over South Florida,” Maguire said. “It has always been a dream to get to practice law on my own, though leaving a bigger firm is always like leaving your safety blanket.”

Prior to opening his own firm, Maguire practiced at two of Florida’s largest law firms: Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart and Broad & Cassel.

On a daily basis, Maguire litigates on behalf of his clients’ best interests, or works with his clients to come up with the most suitable wealth plans for all of their individual circumstances.

“My work ranges from preparing wills and trusts, managing estates and establishing guardianship. I also, in addition to wealth planning, practice commercial law and bankruptcy litigation,” Maguire explained.

One of Maguire’s main responsibilities is foreseeing possible problems within family estates and trusts, in order to clarify and honor all of his client’s true financial wishes. This responsibility, he explained, is the most fulfilling part of his career.

“This job, for me, is filled with very rewarding work, it is, of course, a stressful job, so it’s nice that it can be rewarding,” Maguire said. “I think the most fulfilling part of my job is getting to a client’s ultimate desired result, whether that is winning at court or fulfilling one’s final wishes. But, even more than that, I think it is also about being an unattached and [unbiased] voice of reason.”

Often clients have their own view about how things should be done, which is not always in their best interest, he said.

“I’m able to know how the court system works and what will actually happen in a court setting,” Maguire said. “Everybody wants and feels like they’re going to win, and that is not the nature of our system.”

In regard to wealth planning, Maguire prioritizes honoring the final wishes of his clients while also being a trustworthy and reliable source for the families of his clients.

“At the end of the day, I am always dealing with people’s livelihood and final wishes, but I’m also always having to think about what families think their loved ones’ final wishes were,” Maguire said.

Because of the sensitive matter of wealth — and, specifically, family wealth — planning, Maguire has developed into an attorney who not only wants to help his clients, but also protect them in the process.

“It’s is more than just wealth planning or being a source for information about one’s wealth, estates, taxes or businesses, it’s also about being responsible for financially protecting people — my clients — which has really always been my goal,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to become a protective contact for them.”

Maguire’s devoted work ethic and commitment have resulted in a high rate of client referrals and retention for his small law firm.

“I have built my practice based on the referrals of other clients and other attorneys,” he said. “I have served about 150 clients in the past three years, with just the help of one paralegal. It is a lot of work, but I would much rather stay small and produce good quality work, than grow into a huge firm that is unable to know all of its clients individually.”

Attorney Bill Maguire’s office is located at 400 Columbia Drive, Suite 100, in West Palm Beach. For more information, call (561) 687-8100 or visit www.maguire-law.com.