William R. Leighton

William (Bill) Leighton received his BBA in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin in 1983, his JD from the University of Texas School of Law in 1986, and his LL.M in Taxation from New York University in 1987. Bill is board certified in Tax Law and Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Bill is a former IRS attorney, having worked as a Senior Attorney with the District Counsel of the Internal Revenue Service in Austin, Texas from 1988 through 1992. From 1992 to 1996, Bill was an attorney in the tax section of Vinson & Elkins, LLP in Houston, Texas, where he focused on tax controversy matters and estate planning. From 1996 until 1999, Bill was a Senior Attorney with Jenkens & Gilchrist, P.C. in their San Antonio and Austin offices, where he also focused on tax controversy matters and estate planning for his individual clients. Bill established the Leighton Law Firm, PLLC in 1999, where he practiced as a sole practitioner until forming the predecessor to Leighton, Michaux & Brown, PLLC in 2015.

Bill has more than 25 years experience in helping clients define and achieve their estate planning, tax and business structuring goals to minimize taxes, protect assets, and plan for business succession at death or retirement. Mr. Leighton combines his experience as a former IRS attorney and tax/estate planning attorney with two large Texas law firms to successfully design and implement creative solutions for his clients. Mr. Leighton also utilizes his background as a former IRS attorney to effectively represent clients before the IRS and in the United States Tax Court.