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Bill Culp helps clients structure their business and personal affairs to minimize taxes and maximize their wealth. He represents a variety of clients, from entrepreneurs and private investors to large corporate clients. Clients look to him for guidance in structuring complex business arrangements and transactions, and for solutions to the most challenging business problems.. Bill has extensive experience in federal and state income, estate and gift taxation. His practice includes family business planning, wealth preservation planning, tax controversies, and trust and probate controversies. He is also involved in business and real estate matters including acquisitions, dispositions, and complex entity ownership planning.. Bill advises clients on multi-generational trust arrangements. He serves as trustee for a number of large trusts and as trustee is intimately involved in all aspects of trust administration. Over the years, Bill has assisted numerous clients in the preparation for sale and sale of their family businesses.

I was born and raised in Minot, North Dakota. I obtained my Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Studies from the University of North Dakota in 2000 and my Juris Doctor degree (with distinction) from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 2004. As an undergraduate I was a member of Delta Xi chapter of Delta Tau Delta fraternity, serving as an officer and then chapter advisor during my time in law school. I continue to serve the chapter on the House Corporation and Educational Foundation.. I am a member of the American Bar Association, State Bar Association of North Dakota, and the Ward County Bar Association (past President, past Vice President). I have been very active in the State Bar Association of North Dakota since beginning my practice. I previously served as President of the Young Lawyers Section of the State Bar Association of North Dakota. I have served on the State Bar Association of North Dakota Board of Governors since 2011 as the then Northwest Judicial District representative then the North Central Judicial District representative. Currently I am serving as President of the State Bar Association of North Dakota. I have previously served on the Court Facilities Improvement Advisory Committee as well as the State Bar Association of North Dakota Oil Impact Taskforce.. I have a diverse and active practice in a wide range of areas. My main focus is on energy law, estate and trust planning, probate, real property, and business and commercial transactions. I have practiced in Minot in a firm setting and as a solo practitioner since completing law school. I am a lifelong outdoor enthusiast and actively enjoy hunting and fishing in North Dakota and throughout the country. I also enjoy traveling, football, hockey and especially our lake cabin on Lake Sakakawea. I have been married to Ashley (Killmer) DeMakis for 15 years and we have two sons – Alexander and Caden.. Education. 1997-2000 University of North Dakota Bachelors of Science: Criminal Justice Studies. 2001-2004 University of North Dakota School of Law Juris Doctor with Distinction. Professional Experience. DeMakis Law, PLLC – 1408 20th Ave SW., Suite 11, P.O. Box 1748 Minot, ND 58702-1748,. 10-01-12 to Present. Shareholder/Owner. • Legal research, motion and brief writing, assisting clients, court appearances, litigation, appellate writing and arguments. • Practice with state and federal regulatory agencies. • Business organizations, business transactions, and contracts. • Emphasis on energy law with a focus on oil and gas, as well as trust and estate planning and probate. • Budget planning and implementation. • Practice development, client cultivation.. Olson & Burns, P.C. - 17 1st Ave SE. , P.O. Box 1180 Minot, ND 58702-1180,. July, 2004 – October, 2012. • Legal research, motion and brief writing, assisting clients, court appearances, litigation, appellate writing and arguments. • Practice with state and federal regulatory agencies. • Business organizations, business transactions, and contracts. • Emphasis on energy law with a focus on oil and gas. • Drafting Division Order Title Opinions, Drilling Title Opinions, Division Order Drilling Title Opinions and all related curative transactions. • Representation of municipalities and experience with state and local governments.. Licensing. State of North Dakota State of Minnesota United States Federal District Court for the District of North Dakota United States Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit United States Tax Court. Presentations and Publications. North Dakota Law Review Energy Law Lecture Series - Presented at the North Dakota Law Review Lecture Series on Abandoned and Lapsed Minerals in North Dakota.. North Dakota Chapter of NARO Conference - Common Title and Curative Issues in North Dakota - Presented at the North Dakota Chapter of NARO conference regarding common oil and gas title issues and curative matters related to those title issues.. Awards. Super Lawyers Rising Star – 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges – 1999-2000 Delta Tau Delta Delta Xi Chapter Merlin Dewing Outstanding Leadership Award University of North Dakota School of Law Deans List

Bennett is an associate in the Fargo office, practicing primarily in the area of general civil litigation.. Bennett graduated magna cum laude from North Dakota State University in 2017, majoring in finance and minoring in accounting. He went on to graduate magna cum laude from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 2022. While in law school, Bennett served as the Editor-in-Chief of the North Dakota Law Review and was involved as a Teaching Assistant for Lawyering Skills classes. He was a member of Phi-Delta-Phi legal honor society and was elected to the Order of the Coif.. A native of northwest North Dakota, Bennett grew up attending Divide County High School. He married his wife, Alexa in 2016. Bennett and Alexa have since been blessed with three children, Oliver, Jonathan, and Indy. They reside in Fargo. In his spare time, he enjoys watching the Bison, Twins, and Vikings, running, reading, and chasing his kids around.

The Law Office of Merrill A. Hanson serves individuals and businesses with effective professional advice.  At this firm, clients are treated with dignity and respect, and not merely associated with a billing number like at some larger firms.  We believe each situation is different, and each client is unique.