Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2026 
William “Bill” Merten is a Partner at Krieg DeVault LLP in Chicago, Illinois. His practice areas include Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law,employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), business succession planning, and executive compensation.
Mr. Merten advises corporations, shareholders, directors, and other professionals on the use of ESOPs and related strategies in a range of transactions, including management buyouts, ownership succession transactions, private equity transactions, going-private transactions, ESOP company sales, mergers, and acquisitions.
Mr. Merten has received recognition from Martindale-Hubbell, American Lawyer Media, Super Lawyers, The Legal 500, and Leading Lawyers Network. He is also a member of the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel (ACEBC).
Mr. Merten frequently speaks to professional organizations about succession planning alternatives and related tax-planning techniques. He has authored and co-authored chapters and articles on ESOP-related topics. He previously served as an executive compensation professor in DePaul University’s Master of Laws in Taxation program and as a qualified plan professor in DePaul’s Master of Science in Taxation program.
