William W. Downs

William W. Merten Partner Office: Chicago [email protected] p: 312-235-1115 f: 312-423-9303 LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Overview Bill Merten is a Partner at Krieg DeVault in the Employee Benefits and Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) Practices. Mr. Merten focuses his practice on business succession planning and executive compensation. He has been recognized by leading publications such as Martindale-Hubbell, American Lawyer Media, Super Lawyers, The Legal 500, and Leading Lawyers Network, and he has been inducted into the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel (ACEBC). Mr. Merten advises corporations, shareholders, directors, and various professionals regarding the use of ESOPs and ESOP ­related strategies in a wide variety of transactions including, management buyouts, ownership succession transactions, private equity transactions, going-private transactions, ESOP company sales, and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Merten speaks frequently for various organizations on succession planning alternatives and related tax-planning techniques, and has also authored and co-authored chapters and articles pertaining to various ESOP-related topics. He previously served as an executive compensation professor for DePaul University's Masters of Law in Taxation program and a qualified plan professor for DePaul's Masters of Science in Taxation program. Experience Professional Associations Member, Finance Committee of the ESOP Association Awards & Recognitions Leading Lawyers in Illinois (Employee Benefits Law): Most Often Reccommended (2023) Named a Fellow to the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel (2021) The Legal 500 U.S (2021 ), "Key Lawyer" Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell® for the past 15 years, the highest rating in legal ability and ethical standards Top rated Midwest lawyer by America Lawyer Media (2010-2018) Top attorney in Illinois by Chicago Magazine Super Lawyer for the past eight years Super Lawyers Business Edition (2013-2018) The Legal 500 (2013, 2019, 2020) Leading Lawyers Network Publications "Selling to an ESOP and Financing the Deal", The National Center for Employee Ownership (2023) Credentials Education J.D., Wayne State University, 1980 LLM, New York University, 1981 B.A., Michigan State University, 1977 Bar & Court Admissions Illinois, 1985 Practices & Industries Practices Employee Stock Ownership Plans ESOP Finance and Lending Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Industries Employee Stock Ownership Plans Insights Litigation Beyond the Basics: The Beauty of ESOPs, with Bill Merten January 8, 2025 Overview Experience Credentials Practices & Industries Bill Merten is a Partner at Krieg DeVault in the Employee Benefits and Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) Practices. Mr. Merten focuses his practice on business succession planning and executive compensation. He has been recognized by leading publications such as Martindale-Hubbell, American Lawyer Media, Super Lawyers, The Legal 500, and Leading Lawyers Network, and he has been inducted into the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel (ACEBC). Mr. Merten advises corporations, shareholders, directors, and various professionals regarding the use of ESOPs and ESOP ­related strategies in a wide variety of transactions including, management buyouts, ownership succession transactions, private equity transactions, going-private transactions, ESOP company sales, and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Merten speaks frequently for various organizations on succession planning alternatives and related tax-planning techniques, and has also authored and co-authored chapters and articles pertaining to various ESOP-related topics. He previously served as an executive compensation professor for DePaul University's Masters of Law in Taxation program and a qualified plan professor for DePaul's Masters of Science in Taxation program. Professional Associations Member, Finance Committee of the ESOP Association Awards & Recognitions Leading Lawyers in Illinois (Employee Benefits Law): Most Often Reccommended (2023) Named a Fellow to the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel (2021) The Legal 500 U.S (2021 ), "Key Lawyer" Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell® for the past 15 years, the highest rating in legal ability and ethical standards Top rated Midwest lawyer by America Lawyer Media (2010-2018) Top attorney in Illinois by Chicago Magazine Super Lawyer for the past eight years Super Lawyers Business Edition (2013-2018) The Legal 500 (2013, 2019, 2020) Leading Lawyers Network Publications "Selling to an ESOP and Financing the Deal", The National Center for Employee Ownership (2023) Education J.D., Wayne State University, 1980 LLM, New York University, 1981 B.A., Michigan State University, 1977 Bar & Court Admissions Illinois, 1985 Practices Employee Stock Ownership Plans ESOP Finance and Lending Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Industries Employee Stock Ownership Plans