William M. Merrill III

Overview

William W. Merrill III is a shareholder at Gunster whose practice focuses on land use, planning, transportation, environmental, and real estate law. He represents both private-sector and public-sector clients in matters involving development approvals, land use regulation, permitting, and related transactions.

Mr. Merrill has been recognized by Martindale-Hubbell with an AV rating and has been included in Best Lawyers in America® since 2007. He was also recognized as Sarasota's Best Lawyers in America® "Lawyer of the Year" for Land Use & Zoning Law in 2018 and 2021.

His practice includes representation in matters involving rezonings, comprehensive plan amendments, redevelopment projects, mixed-use developments, developments of regional impact, environmental and coastal permitting, water-related permitting, subdivision and platting issues, vested rights, and governmental relations matters. He also advises developers and lenders in real estate transactions.

Mr. Merrill has experience handling land use litigation, including matters involving regulatory takings, concurrency and adequate public facilities issues, quasi-judicial governmental decisions, and other land use disputes. He is a frequent speaker at conferences addressing growth management and land use issues and has authored articles on land use law.

In addition to his private-sector work, Mr. Merrill has represented governmental entities in matters involving land use, planning, and growth management law, including the drafting and implementation of land development regulations and impact fee programs. Over the course of his career, he has represented more than 35 governmental entities in eight states. Land development codes and regulations with which he has been involved have received recognition from state chapters of the American Planning Association and from the American Planning Association at the national level.

Mr. Merrill has served as President of the Sarasota County Bar Association and has participated in a variety of local civic and charitable organizations.