About Us

William J. Liston

Background

Mr. Liston was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Berrien Springs, Michigan. He completed his undergraduate studies at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan (1979) and received his Juris Doctorate at Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan (1986).

Mr. Liston was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in June 1986. He has been in private practice since 1989. Mr. Liston was admitted to the State Bar of Alabama in September, 2005. His current practice is limited to the areas of Estate and Business Planning.

Mr. Liston resides in Augusta, Michigan with his wife Susan. They have a daughter, J. Summer Liston and two sons; J. Ian and W. Travis Liston. Their daughter, J. Summer Liston attended medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, completed her Family Practice residency in Portland, OR. Dr. Liston joined the Marshall Internal and Family Medicine, P.C. in August, 2007. Their son, J. Ian Liston attended Western Michigan University where he received his Aviation Science degree. He is currently a Second Lt. in the USAF in Flight school. Their son, W. Travis Liston is currently attending Western Michigan University. J. Ian and W. Travis Liston as members of the Michigan Air and Army National Guard, respectively, completed service deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Experience

Mr. Liston’s areas of professional interest are Estate and Business Planning. Mr. Liston conducts public and private workshops on Estate Planning and related matters. Currently, he operates his private Southwest Michigan law practice and consults for the Michael E. Brodowski law firm in Huntsville, AL. He has consulted with attorneys throughout the United States on Estate and Business planning matters.

He is a former Adjunct Instructor at Kellogg Community College where he taught Business Law II and Wills, Trust and Probate Administration.

He was on staff with the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys. He began his service with the National Network as a Practice Development Advisor; and later, became the leader of the Activity Coach program within the Practice Consultant Program and Practice Coaching Program for the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.

Presenter

Various Estate Planning Workshops are presented to the public monthly in Southwest Michigan and Northern Alabama 2001- to date.
National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. Estate Planning Collegium, Indianapolis, IN. May, 2006
National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. Estate Planning Collegium, Boston, MA. April, 2003
Team speaking with the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc., Practice Coaching Program at various events throughout the United States in 2001.
Speaker’s School of the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. in December, 2000 in Tucson, AZ. Practicum II of the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. in February, 2000 in Indianapolis, IN. Team speaking with the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc., Practice Coaching Program at various events throughout the United States in 2000. Various Estate Planning Workshops have been presented to the public throughout 2000 in Southwest Michigan.
Speaker’s School of the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. in December, 1999 in Tucson, AZ. Practicum II of the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. in October, 1999 in Indianapolis, IN. National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. Estate Planning Collegium, Chicago, IL. September, 1999. Practicum II of the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. in June, 1999 in Denver, CO. National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. Estate Planning Collegium, Nashville, TN. May 1999. Basic Blitz Program of the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. in March, 1999 in Indianapolis, IN. Practicum II of the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. in March, 1999 in Indianapolis, IN. Basic Blitz Program of the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. in February, 1999 in Indianapolis, IN.

Organization Membership And Community Service

Mr. Liston is a member of the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc., Michigan Forum of Estate Planning Attorneys, Michigan State Bar (specifically the Probate and Estate Planning sections), and Alabama State Bar.

Mr. Liston was involved at all levels from the planning, fund raising and building of two community playground structures for the Kellogg Elementary School and Thomas M. Ryan Intermediate School. He has been very active in the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO); Western Michigan Youth Soccer Association (WMYSA); and River Oaks Soccer Club (ROSC) as an assistant and head coach. Mr. Liston holds a level “E” soccer-coaching License. He is a certified SCUBA diver and has participated in a community dives for cleanup of areas of local inland recreational lakes.