William S. Dahlstrom
Practice Areas
Experience
- Energy Land Use & Municipal Law
- Government Affairs
- Land Use & Municipal Law
- Public-Private Partnerships
- Zoning & Land Use Incentives
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
Professional Designation
Fellow, College of the American Institute of Certified Planners (FAICP)
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.), 2006-2024
- 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, 2007-2024
- Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, 2011-2024
- Real Estate Law, 2006-2024
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2007-2016, 2019-2020, 2023
- “Best Lawyers in Dallas” List, D Magazine, 2008-2009, 2011-2024
- 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
- Associate Professor of the Practice, College of Architecture at Texas A&M University, 2022
- American Planning Association
- Former Board Member, Texas Chapter
- Former 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
- The Real Estate Council
- Urban Land Institute, Member
- Greater Dallas Home Builders Association, 2000-2006
- Connemara Conservation Foundation, Former Member 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
April 19, 2024
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates 23 Attorneys Named Among 2024 “Best Lawyers in Dallas” List
Jackson Walker congratulates the 23 attorneys recognized among D Magazine’s list of the “Best Lawyers in Dallas” for 2024. 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.
March 8, 2024
Speaking Engagements
William Dahlstrom to Serve on Planning Committee for 28th Annual UT School of Law Land Use Conference; Leonard Dougal to Present on “Practical Water Law Considerations”
Jackson Walker partner William “Bill” Dahlstrom served on the planning committee for The University of Texas School of Law’s 28th Annual Land Use Conference. Additionally, Jackson Walker partner Leonard H. Dougal will be a presenter on Friday, April 5.
September 19, 2023
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2023
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
August 17, 2023
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
June 1, 2023
Spotlight
Chambers 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 51 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 News
Jackson 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
Spotlight
Chambers 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 News
Jackson 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.
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.
Practice Experience
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
Recognition & Accolades
- 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.), 2006-2024
- 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, 2007-2024
- Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, 2011-2024
- Real Estate Law, 2006-2024
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2007-2016, 2019-2020, 2023
- “Best Lawyers in Dallas” List, D Magazine, 2008-2009, 2011-2024
- 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
- Associate Professor of the Practice, College of Architecture at Texas A&M University, 2022
Community Involvement
- American Planning Association
- Former Board Member, Texas Chapter
- Former 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
- The Real Estate Council
- Urban Land Institute, Member
- Greater Dallas Home Builders Association, 2000-2006
- Connemara Conservation Foundation, Former Member 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
Career Highlight
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.