William C. "Bill" Griffith, Government Attorney in Minneapolis, Minnesota
focused on Government and Zoning
Minneapolis, MN
Trusted government attorney serving Minneapolis.
Practices in
Are you William C. "Bill" Griffith?
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Quick answer
William C. "Bill" Griffith is an attorney based in Minneapolis, MINNESOTA. The practice focuses on Government and Zoning.
- Based in
- Minneapolis, MINNESOTA
- Experience
- attorney
- Known for
- Government · Zoning
- Handles Government and Zoning matters from Minneapolis, MINNESOTA.
- Recognized with Lawyer of the Year — Municipal Law (Minneapolis) (2021).
About William C. "Bill" Griffith: William C. "Bill" Griffith is an attorney based in Minneapolis, MINNESOTA. The practice focuses on Government and Zoning.
Areas of practice
Legal matters William takes on
William concentrates on government and zoning. Each area below outlines the kind of case William handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Government cases in Minneapolis, Minnesota
William takes government matters in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.
Zoning cases in Minneapolis, Minnesota
William takes zoning matters in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.
Biography
Meet William C. "Bill" Griffith — government lawyer in Minneapolis
William C. "Bill" Griffith is an attorney based in Minneapolis, MINNESOTA. The practice focuses on Government and Zoning.
For three decades, Bill Griffith has advised local and national clients on legal and policy issues affecting land use, zoning, real estate, environmental review, municipal law, regulatory matters and government relations. He has been legal counsel to Mall of America in all its phases, and serves as city attorney for the city of Columbus. He is a trusted advisor on real estate development and public funding for both private clients and municipalities.
Bill is a is a frequent speaker at seminars on land use, zoning, and environmental law, and he has served as an adjunct professor in land use law at the University of St. Thomas School of Law. He has been published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, St. Paul Pioneer Press and the Minnesota Real Estate Journal and is a frequent panelist on the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal’s Table of Experts for Commercial Real Estate.
Bill is the past president of Larkin Hoffman and has been a leader in community service. He is a founding member of Minnesota Habitat for Humanity and the founding chair of Hennepin Elementary School Board, a public charter school in Minneapolis dedicated to providing an excellent education to students from high-poverty neighborhoods. Bill was instrumental in the creation of the Bloomington Sister City project with Izumi, Japan. Recently, Bill helped launch Friends of Ecolibri, a nonprofit that supports student scholarship in the villages around Lake Atitlan in the Guatemalan highlands.
How William handles government matters
For three decades, Bill Griffith has advised local and national clients on legal and policy issues affecting land use, zoning, real estate, environmental review, municipal law, regulatory matters and government relations. He has been legal counsel to Mall of America in all its phases, and serves as city attorney for the city of Columbus. He is a trusted advisor on real estate development and…
Who William represents
William reviews new inquiries case-by-case for government and zoning matters in Minneapolis and the surrounding Minnesota area.
Credentials
Education, bar admissions, and languages
William Mitchell College of Law
J.D. · 1988
William studied at J.D. in William Mitchell College of Law.
Law school and academic background
William completed J.D. in William Mitchell College of Law. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice William runs in Minnesota is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Recognition and thought leadership
William has received 3 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
Lawyer of the Year — Municipal Law (Minneapolis)
2021
Best Lawyers in America — Land Use and Zoning Law
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Municipal Law
2026
Legal awards and honors
Lawyer of the Year — Municipal Law (Minneapolis) (2021). Best Lawyers in America — Land Use and Zoning Law (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Municipal Law (2026).
Locations
William C. "Bill" Griffith's office in Minneapolis
William's primary office is at 8300 Norman Center Drive, Suite 1000, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55437-1060. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Client feedback
Client reviews of William C. "Bill" Griffith
William has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.
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Schedule your consultationHiring guide
How to hire William C. "Bill" Griffith — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new government attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with William usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
William charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain William's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; William will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a government attorney in Minneapolis, Minnesota
A short list to run through before you commit: How many government matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for William
William discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in government practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every government matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. William confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
William's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many government practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about William C. "Bill" Griffith
How much does it cost to hire William for a government case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. William walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does William offer a free consultation?
William charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain William's office. Some government attorneys offer free consults — check William's current terms during booking.
How long do government cases in Minnesota typically take?
Simple government matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. William gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can William take my case if I'm outside Minneapolis?
William is licensed in Minnesota. Matters governed by Minnesota law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — William will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with William?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. William will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is William accepting new government clients right now?
William's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Government attorneys serving Minneapolis, St Paul and Edina in Minnesota
William handles government matters throughout Minnesota. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified government attorneys in that community.
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