Bio

William Kucera is the co-leader of firm’s Global M&A practice. He concentrates his practice on mergers and acquisitions. He represents buyers and sellers in connection with stock and asset acquisitions and divestitures, public and private mergers, tender and exchange offers, joint ventures, and venture capital and other private equity investments. He represents companies in connection with corporate governance and defensive measures, including shareholder rights plans and related matters. Drawing on his experience as active M&A practitioner, Bill also leads Mayer Brown’s practice representing underwriters in issuing representation and warranty insurance and other types of transactional insurance in connection with M&A deals and has emerged as a leading expert in this rapidly growing area. Bill was recognized by Chambers USA (2010-2022) as one of the top Corporate M&A lawyers in Illinois and by Legal 500 US (2010 and 2012-2020) as one of the leading lawyers for large M&A deals. Clients in Legal 500 US refer to Bill as “‘smart and incredibly hard working, but without the nonsense, pretense or pomp’” and further note that “‘he brings with him an A-team that delivers a top-tier service in a collaborative and practical way’”. Clients in Chambers USA 2021 describe Bill as “knowledgeable, resourceful and responsive” and that “he’s thoughtful and has a nice touch with clients.” In Chambers USA 2020 clients note, “he is very commercial - he knows the issues and gets to the right place" and in 2019 describe that “he cuts right to the chase and streamlines the process to focus on the most important issues.” Additionally, Chambers USA 2015 states that “he is a phenomenally practical and effective attorney,” and Chambers USA 2013 further notes his “ability to provide top-quality legal work, often under tight deadlines, all the while maintaining a practical approach and understanding the business objectives.” Bill has also been selected for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America every year since 2009, has been chosen as an “Illinois Super Lawyer” every year since 2009, was included in the International Who’s Who of Mergers & Acquisition Lawyers, was named a leading lawyer in Who’s Who Legal: Corporate - M&A and Governance, and has been named a “Leading Lawyer” by the Leading Lawyers Network in four categories (Corporate Finance Law, Mergers & Acquisition Law, Publicly Held Corporations Law and Securities & Venture Finance Law). In 2015, Bill was named to the inaugural Advisory Committee of The Deal, which advises on editorial and product-development efforts and is composed of a highly selective cross-section of the deal-making community. In 2010, Bill was chosen by Crain’s Chicago Business to its “40 under 40 Class of 2010,” an annual list honoring emerging leaders in Chicago’s business community. In 2013, he advised on the purchase of mortgage assets in a Section 363 bankruptcy sale, which was awarded as the “M&A Deal of the Year” in the Over $1 billion category by M&A Advisor.