Bill Bettman advises business owners and private equity firms on mergers and acquisitions, investments and other strategic transactions.
He also advises senior executives and management teams on executive compensation matters. He is particularly known for guiding private and family-owned businesses with respect to selling their companies or acquiring other companies.
A former business consultant and efficiency advisor with an MBA, Bill brings a practical perspective to structuring deals and solving problems. He handles mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, business exits and compensation matters, with close attention to tax efficiency and long-term value. Clients count on him to keep transactions focused and on track to achieve a successful closing.
With a career of over 30 years having handled more than 300 M&A transactions worth many tens of billions of dollars, clients appreciate and take comfort with the deep experience that Bill brings in representing them in important and often life changing strategic transactions. Senior business executives rely on Bill to guide them and act as their advocate in sensitive executive compensation and related matters.
Experience
- Advised on the sale of a family-owned multinational food related business to a strategic buyer with proceeds in excess of $1 billion.
- Represented a CEO and management team in structuring their executive compensation arrangements with a sophisticated private equity firm.
- Designed a sophisticated estate plan and family office structure in connection with the sale of a large privately owned business.
- Represented a multi-generational family in its sale of a printing and packaging company.
- Represented a private equity firm in its investment in a tech company.
- Represented a private investor with respect to his investment in a premium cocktail machine business.
- Represented a niche art magazine publisher in the sale of its business to a major media company.
- Represented a major water works manufacturer in the acquisition of a leading competitor.
- Represented a leading private equity firm in the sale of an investment to a leading casino company.
- Represented a private family in connection with its leading Greek and Mediterranean food business.
- Represented the sellers of an ESOP billion dollar technology company.
Credentials
Education
- Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D., 1992
- Loyola University Chicago, M.B.A., 1991
- Northwestern University, B.A., 1986
Bar Admissions
- Illinois, 1992
Affiliations
- Member, President’s Council, Museum of Science and Industry
Recognition
- Best Lawyers in America® – Corporate Law (2024-2026)
- Leading Lawyers – Corporate Finance Law; Mergers & Acquisitions Law, Advisory Board (2008-2026)
Insights & Events
News
76 Vedder Price Attorneys Recognized in 2026 Best Lawyers® in America
August 21, 2025
News
77 Vedder Price Attorneys Recognized in 2025 Best Lawyers® in America
August 15, 2024
Deals & Transactions
Vedder Price Represents JohnsByrne in sale to GHK Capital Partners
October 10, 2023
News
46 Vedder Price Attorneys Recognized in 2024 Best Lawyers® in America
August 17, 2023
