Bill founded the law firm of Schwartz Bon Walker & Studer in Casper and practiced there until his death in 2008 at the age of 86. In honor of Bill’s legacy of professionalism, his family and the state of Wyoming endowed the William T. Schwartz Professor of Law at the University of Wyoming College of Law.

In Jackson, Bob Ranck told his daughter: “Keep your eye out for that Schwartz kid from Casper. His dad is a fine gentleman.” In Casper, Bill Schwartz told his son: “Watch out for that Ranck girl from Jackson. She might punch you in the nose.” Sure enough, the two law students found each other. On a spring day in 1983, instead of attending their law school graduation, Cheryl Ranck and Bill Schwartz were married in Jackson.

After clerking for judges in Cheyenne for a year, Cheryl and Bill moved to Salt Lake City where Bill had landed a promising opportunity with a top “boutique litigation firm.” Six years later, after having had two children and enduring two separate full-blown “boutique litigation firm” crack-ups—with fisticuffs and all—Bill and Cheryl decided they were ready to return to Wyoming. Learning of this in Jackson, Bob Ranck, who as noted had just stepped down from the bench, said: “Well, why don’t you come up here and open a law firm with me?”

Ranck & Schwartz, LLC

In February of 1990 Ranck & Schwartz opened its doors at 20 East Simpson in Jackson with Bill and Bob emphasizing civil litigation and Cheryl launching her career as a child advocate and family law mediator. Bob remained with the firm as its senior partner until he officially retired from the law in 1998. Bob passed away in June of 2017.

Bill’s illness required Cheryl to step away from her busy practice in order to care for him. With the extremely generous and able assistance of lawyer friends Mark Gifford, Brent Cohen and Jan Lewis, and the help of Michelle Belleville Barry, Bill wound down his litigation practice. Although the firm never formally closed its doors, for many years it became largely dormant.

Bill’s recovery from GBS was slow and difficult. Gradually he was able to resume most of his former activities and become more active in his law practice while modifying his focus from litigation to less confrontational activities, such as mediation, receivership work, and general business advice. Ultimately, Bill resumed consulting and assisting as co-counsel in selective litigation matters, including with his daughter, Leah Schwartz, who was associated with another Wyoming law firm. The success of that collaboration persuaded Bill and Leah that it was time to re-establish the legacy of the family’s law practice. In May of 2019, Leah Schwartz joined Ranck & Schwartz, LLC as its managing member and the firm renewed its specialization in all matters related to the resolution of civil disputes. Bill has resumed his roll with the firm as its senior partner. Cheryl Ranck Schwartz and Leah’s husband, Brad Adams, who also holds a J.D. from the University of Wyoming College of Law, assist the firm in administrative capacities.

Our family history made us who we are. It inspires our practice.