Our People

• Succession Planning for farmers and small business
• Rural, residential and commercial conveyancing
• Leases, sharefarming
• Family dispute negotiation/mediation
• Wills/Estates

Bill Thompson is a third generation Solicitor in the Coolamon Commins Hendriks office, and proud resident of Coolamon. Bill is also well known throughout Australia, in particular in Southern New South Wales for his leading edge work in Succession Planning. Bill has 20 years experience conducting face to face meetings with families and instigating many other public meetings. He is considered by many as an 'instrument for change'. Bill was actively involved in lobbying for the Intergenerational Stamp Duty Exemption and changes to the Centrelink assets and income test to benefit farmers. He is the founding author of the "Succession Planning Guide" which is currently in its 5th edition.

Bill is a regular contributor regarding legal issues, particularly rural issues, to local and national newspapers and publications, TV news coverage, radio and speaking events. He is a passionate supporter of rural people and communities' rights to help, legal services and other services, NERRCS; Southern Agventure; Coolamon Lions Club, football; local schools; the arts; youth events; Coolamon Shire Community Fund.

Bill has acted for generations of farming and small business families throughout NSW, particularly Southern NSW, in the decisions that shape their future, including;
1. Conveyancing (including first home owner grants)
2. Purchase of business
3. Expansion of personal and business interests
4. Intergenerational transfers
5. Leasing and share farming
6. Sale of land/business, Stamp Duty, GST and Capital Gains Tax issues
7. Pension and nursing home issues
8. Wills / Estates / Powers of Attorney

Bill enjoys working with people and taking into account not only the economic issues but the human relation issues.

Bill enjoys working in a team work situation with families and their advisors, including accountants, rural counsellors and consultants, to deal with all angles of a matter, particularly communication and relations issues.

Bill has been a Director of Commins Hendriks since 1985.

He obtained a Bachelor of Arts from ANU in 1978 and a Bachelor of Legal Studies from Macquarie University in 1983.

He is a long term member of the Rural Issues Committee of the Law Society of New South Wales.