White, Griffis & Littell, PLLC
Attorney Profiles
RICHARD M. WHITE
Location: Haile Village
Phone: 352.372.1011
Fax: 352.372.1023
Email: rmw@wgl-law.com
Richard White has been practicing law in Florida for over 47 years. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, his J.D. from Florida State University School of Law, and his Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the University of Miami in Estate Planning.
Areas of Practice
- 100% Trusts & Estates
Board Certified Legal Specialties
- Wills, Trusts & Estates, Florida Bar
Bar Admissions
- Florida, 1975
Education
- University of Miami College of Law, Miami, Florida
LL.M. (Estate Planning) – 1977 - Florida State University College of Law, Tallahassee, Florida
J.D. – 1975 - University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
B.A. – 1972
Major: Political Science
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Florida Bar, Member, 1975 – Present
- Gainesville Estate Planning Council, Member and Past President, 1996 – Present
- North Central Florida Community Foundation, former Director
- Conservation Trust for Florida, Professional Advisory Board
- Dade Community Foundation, Past Member, Professional Advisory Board
- Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, Executive Council, 2005 – Present
- WealthCounsel, Member
- National Association of Estate Planners and Councils, Accredited Estate Planner
Past Employment Positions
- White & Brown, P.A., Partner, 1975 – 1998
- White & Crouch, P.A., Partner, 1998 – 2021
Languages
- English
Virginia Ellen Griffis
Location: MetroCorp Center
Phone: 352.416.3468
Fax: 352.416.3469
Email: veg@wgl-law.com
Virginia Ellen Griffis is a sixth generation Floridian, raised in Macclenny, Baker County, Florida, and has lived in Gainesville since moving to complete her education in 1999. She received her A.A. degree, summa cum laude, from Lake City Community College in 1998. She then attended the University of Florida, where she received her B.A. degree, with honors, in 2001 and her J.D., cum laude, in 2004. She has been an active member of the Florida Bar since 2004. Prior to forming the law firm White, Griffis & Littell, PLLC, Ms. Griffis practiced law in North Central Florida for over 17 years with her colleagues at the Gainesville law firm of Scruggs, Carmichael & Wershow, PA, where she was a shareholder.
Virginia is a member of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association (Board of Directors 2006-2008 and 2009-2010), the American Inns of Court, the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, Tax Law Section, Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar, and a past member of the North Central Florida Estate Planning Counsel (Board of Directors 2008-2011) and the North Florida Association of Real Estate Attorneys. She also served on the Board of Directors for Girl’s Place, Inc. from 2012 to 2017, a local non-profit organization that has improved the lives of thousands of young girls in Alachua County for over 35 years. Virginia has continued to donate her time providing pro bono legal assistance to Girl’s Place, Inc., in addition to many other pro bono clients.
Virginia focuses her practice in the areas of estate planning, estate administration, trust administration, business planning, multi-generational real property title clearing, and business and asset sales. She has represented business owners, landowners, beneficiaries, heirs, creditors, trustees, personal representatives, agents acting under durable powers of attorney, and guardians. Virginia is rated AV-Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest peer review rating attainable from one of the nation’s oldest and most trusted lawyer rating services. When away from the office, she enjoys spending time with her large family, traveling with her friends, and many outdoor activities including kayaking, hiking, and camping.
CHARLES W. (BILL) LITTELL
Location: MetroCorp Center
Phone: 352.416.3475
Fax: 352.416-3505
Email: cwl@wgl-law.com
Bill was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. He received his B.A. with honors from St. Mary’s Seminary and University in 1967. He received his J.D. with honors in 1973 from the University of Florida, where he was an Executive Editor of the University of Florida Law Review. Bill served in the United States Air Force from 1967 to 1971. Bill is admitted to the Florida and Montana Bars, and he is a member of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar.
Charles W. (Bill) Littell graduated from St. Mary’s Seminary & University in Baltimore, Maryland, with honors in 1967. After serving in the Air Force from 1967 to 1971, Bill attended law school at the University of Florida, again graduating with honors. Bill began practice in West Palm Beach where he was a partner in the law firm of Holland & Knight, LLP, one of the nation’s largest law firms as a member of its Trusts & Estates Group. Bill moved Gainesville in 2003 to be near family. Bill is a member of The Florida Bar and the State Bar of Montana.
Bill has devoted his career to assisting clients in their estate planning and in the difficult circumstances following the death of a family member. He brings over 45 years of extensive experience in all aspects of estate planning–everything from simple wills to complex family business succession situations, irrevocable trusts for estate tax planning purposes, and resolution of estate tax issues with the Internal Revenue Service. Bill has represented personal representatives, trustees, and beneficiaries concerning their duties and rights, including complex disputes involving wills, trusts, and estates. Bill is rated AV-Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest peer review rating attainable from one of the nation’s oldest and most trusted lawyer rating services.
Bill has wide ranging experience in drafting wills and trusts, tax planning for high-net-worth clients, and in the administration of estates and trusts. He has represented numerous personal representatives, trustees, and beneficiaries in estate related litigation, including will and trust contests, removal and surcharge of personal representatives, breaches of fiduciary duty, and reformation and modification of trusts. Bill advises clients concerning intergenerational transitions of family held businesses, asset protection, and represents clients in the purchase and sale of substantial family-owned businesses.
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