Biography
William “Bill” Dahlstrom combines the practical knowledge learned as a professional land planner with his legal training to provide a most unique approach to land use matters. He focuses his practice on all areas of land use and incorporates a planning problem solving process in land use and land development issues.
Bill has spoken at numerous seminars on land use law, including programs at the University of Texas School of Law Land Use Law Conference, State Bar of Texas Advance Real Estate Law Course, PESI Land Use Law Seminar, CLE Eminent Domain Conference, TXAPA Conferences, The Institute for Local Government Studies Short Course.
Education
B.U.P., University of Cincinnati, College of Design, Architecture, Art & Planning
J.D., University of Texas School of Law
Bar Admissions
Texas
Land Use Areas
- Zoning
- Subdivision
- Annexation
- Economic development
- Development agreements
- Signage
- Ordinance drafting
- Transportation
- Comprehensive planning
- Utilities
- Special districts
- Development fees
- Conservation
- Master planned developments
- Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Ranked for Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use – Texas, 2016-2023
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 2006-2023
- Lawyer of the Year – Dallas/Fort Worth, Land Use and Zoning Law, 2016, 2018
- Lawyer of the Year – Dallas/Fort Worth, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, 2017, 2019, 2022
- Land Use and Zoning Law, 2007-2023
- Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, 2011-2023
- Real Estate Law, 2006-2023
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2007-2016, 2019-2020
- “Best Lawyers in Dallas” List, D Magazine, 2008-2009, 2011-2023
- Named to Hall of Fame for ranking as a “Best Lawyer in Dallas” for 15+ years, D Magazine, 2022
- President’s Award, Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association, 1991
- American Planning Association
- Former Board Member, Texas Chapter
- Chair, Texas Planning and Law Division
- American Institute of Certified Planners
- College of the American Institute of Certified Planners (FAICP), Fellow
- UT Law Land Use Conference and Fundamentals, Planning Committee and Conference Faculty, 2019-2021
- The Real Estate Council
- Urban Land Institute, Associate Member
- Greater Dallas Home Builders Association, 2000-2006
- Connemara Conservation Foundation, Advisory Board of Directors
- Greater Dallas Planning Council, Former Board Member
- Board of Directors for the Dallas Habitat for Humanity, Former Board Member
- Ursuline Academy of Dallas, Board Member, 2008-2014
Jackson Walker Assists Live Nation in Obtaining Permits for The HiFi
November 24, 2020

June 1, 2023
SpotlightChambers and Partners Recognizes Jackson Walker Attorneys and Practices in 2023 USA and Global Guides
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 50 attorneys and 17 departments for inclusion in the 2023 edition of the Global and USA guides. Attorneys recognized in the guides were ranked in 19 practice areas, with 4 attorneys listed among multiple areas and 6 named among the top attorneys nationwide in their respective areas.

April 25, 2023
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates 24 Attorneys Named Among 2023 “Best Lawyers in Dallas” List
Jackson Walker congratulates the 24 attorneys recognized among D Magazine’s list of the “Best Lawyers in Dallas” for 2023. For recognition in the list, Dallas attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer unmatched counsel in one of 40 categories.

August 18, 2022
Attorney News‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 214 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2023 Edition, Including 11 “Lawyers of the Year” and 41 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 214 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 79 specialty practice areas in its 2023 edition, including 11 Lawyers of the Year and 41 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.


June 1, 2022
SpotlightChambers and Partners Recognizes Jackson Walker Attorneys and Practices in 2022 USA and Global Guides
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 48 attorneys and 16 departments for inclusion in the 2022 edition of the Global and USA guides.


April 25, 2022
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates 21 Attorneys Named Among 2022 “Best Lawyers in Dallas” List
Jackson Walker congratulates the 21 attorneys recognized among D Magazine’s list of the “Best Lawyers in Dallas” for 2022. For recognition in the list, Dallas attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer unmatched counsel in one of 40 categories.




August 19, 2021
Attorney News‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 178 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2022 Edition, Including 8 “Lawyers of the Year” and 31 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 178 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 67 specialty practice areas in its 2022 edition, including 8 Lawyers of the Year and 31 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.




May 20, 2021
SpotlightChambers and Partners Recognizes Jackson Walker Attorneys and Practices in 2021 USA and Global Guides
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 41 attorneys and 14 departments for inclusion in the 2021 edition of the Global and USA guides.


April 28, 2021
Attorney News‘D Magazine’ Names 23 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among “Best Lawyers in Dallas” for 2021
Jackson Walker congratulates the 23 attorneys recognized among D Magazine’s list of the “Best Lawyers in Dallas” for 2021.


November 24, 2020
Client ResultsJackson Walker Assists Live Nation in Obtaining Permits for The HiFi
Jackson Walker represented Live Nation Entertainment Inc. in its conversion of an empty warehouse located in the Dallas Design District into a 1,000 capacity entertainment venue named The HiFi.


October 19, 2020
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates Its 54 “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2020
Spanning five offices, 19 practice areas, and experience ranging from 12 to 52 years, Jackson Walker’s 2020 “Texas Super Lawyers” have been nominated by peers within and outside the Firm.
Bill was named as a Fellow in the College of the American Institute of Certified Planners in 2014. Bill was also a former Adjunct Faculty Member for “Legal Issues in Sustainable Development” at the Southern Methodist University-Lyle School of Engineering.