William V. Burkett is a founding attorney at Alabama Property & Estate Law, LLC, where his practice focuses on real estate, probate, estate planning, and civil litigation. His interest in Alabama property law began well before opening his firm. While in law school, William studied and wrote extensively on property rights, including authoring “Southern Takings: Alabama Eminent Domain, Inverse Condemnation, and Regulatory Takings,” published at 50 Cumb. L. Rev. 211 (2020). Today, he draws on that background to help clients navigate real estate transactions, property disputes, probate matters, and other legal issues involving Alabama property.
William was born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama. Growing up, he worked in and around his parents' local small business, an experience that taught him the importance of hard work, personal responsibility, and practical problem-solving. He graduated from Randolph School in 2013, where he was a member of the school's inaugural football team, played on the golf team, and played trumpet in the school band.
William attended Auburn University and graduated cum laude in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He then attended Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama.
At Cumberland, William served as a Junior Editor of the Cumberland Law Review and later served on its editorial board as Online Research Editor. His academic work reflected an early focus on real property and Alabama law, culminating in the publication of his article addressing eminent domain, inverse condemnation, and regulatory takings under Alabama law.
William received seven Best Paper Awards in Contracts I, Contracts II, Constitutional Law I, Property, State Constitutional Law, State and Local Taxation, and Advanced Evidence. He also served on Cumberland's Honor Court and as an Academic Support Mentor. During law school, he had the opportunity to study under a federal circuit judge, two federal magistrate judges, and a municipal court judge. William graduated magna cum laude from Cumberland School of Law in 2020.
After law school, William married his wife, Ali, and returned home to Huntsville. He began his legal career representing clients in civil litigation, including personal injury matters and property disputes. Those early years gave him substantial litigation experience and taught him how to evaluate disputes from both a practical and legal perspective.
In July 2025, William and Thomas founded Alabama Property & Estate Law, LLC, with the goal of building a practice centered on property, estates, and the legal issues that affect individuals, families, and businesses throughout North Alabama. His practice now places particular emphasis on real estate law, while also serving clients in probate, estate planning, and related civil litigation matters.
William approaches each matter with the perspective of both a lawyer and someone raised around a local small business. He understands that clients need more than an explanation of the law—they need practical advice, clear communication, and a lawyer who will take responsibility for moving the matter forward. Whether assisting with a real estate matter, resolving a property dispute, administering an estate, or preparing an estate plan, William strives to provide clients with a clear and personalized path through the legal process.
William V. Burkett has been recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America in the 2025, 2026, and 2027 editions for his work in Real Estate Law, Litigation – Real Estate, and former work in Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs. He has also been selected to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list for 2024, 2025, and 2026.
Outside the office, William enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, and playing golf.