William D Norman

Bill’s practice focus is on privately held companies in three distinct, but interrelated areas of their development:

• Start-up/Emerging businesses, primarily in the high tech sector, where he counsels companies on developing, documenting and implementing business processes, systems and strategies designed to successfully maneuver the company from infancy to maturity.
• Middle Market Companies: Strategizing, creating, negotiating and documenting complex business arrangements vital to the continued growth and prosperity of the company.
• Reexamining, refining and where necessary, re-thinking the Company’s internal and external operations so as to assure continued growth and profitability, while positioning itself for the ultimate exit.  Bill is often engaged to provide strategic counsel to portfolio companies, boards of directors and executive officers.

In connection with exit planning, Bill has facilitated, negotiated and documented a number of transitional changes in ownership through leveraged buyouts, divestitures, debt and equity restructurings, private equity, mergers, acquisitions and generational transfers. 

Bill has handled transactions in a wide variety of industries, including distribution, industrial products, intellectual properties and service businesses. 

Because his practice concentrates on advising companies through their various life cycles, he has an integrated and intimate understanding of matters that are critical to each. During his 30+ years as a practitioner, he has owned and operated a number of privately held businesses, including as one of the key founders and managing partners of a 30 person business law firm before joining McLane.