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
Industries
Business
Is Your Business Ready? Preparing for and Complying with the Corporate Transparency Act
August 31, 2023
Employee Benefits
IRS Extends Effective Date for Roth Treatment of Catch-Up Contributions to 2026
August 30, 2023
Employee Benefits
Secure Act 2.0 Allows Employers to Make Matching Contributions to Retirement Plans Based on Employees’ Student Loan Payments
August 17, 2023
Firm News and Events
William W. Merten Joins Krieg DeVault’s ESOP and Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Practices
September 22, 2022
Employee Benefits
IRS Announces Launch of Pre-Examination Compliance Program for Qualified Retirement Plans
June 28, 2022
Employee Benefits
COVID-19 and ESOP Distribution Policies: Dealing with Down Times in an ESOP Company
May 18, 2020
Employee Benefits
The CARES Act: Changes Posed to Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans
March 31, 2020
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