Wilhelm E. Liebmann

Member

Will Liebmann generates business growth for his clients by helping them secure mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and other strategic transactions. Director of the firm's corporate finance practice, he works across a host of industries and has closed multimillion-dollar deals up to deals valued in the billions. Will’s clients include private and public companies who rely on him for efficiency navigating all types of transaction structures.

Will understands how businesses work, and he often acts as an outside general counsel for his clients. They trust him to watch out for their best interests, monitoring for opportunities and potential threats, and they rely on his commitment to delivering candid, practical advice so they can make the smart decision.

Will’s role goes beyond M&A to advise on other types of commercial transactions, corporate governance, regulatory guidance, and more.

Many of Will’s clients operate in highly regulated industries, like alcoholic beverages, aviation, and public utilities, so he understands the unique challenges companies under such scrutiny face. “Will is an outstanding resource” clients told Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. His experience and comprehensive knowledge in his client’s industry has earned him the rank as one of the top corporate attorneys in San Antonio in the 2023 edition of the guide.

From navigating 50-state regulatory compliance for liquor distributors to guiding rural electric cooperatives acting in quasi-governmental roles, Will offers strategic guidance to help his companies communicate effectively with regulators.

Clients also rely on Will for his tact and his ability to de-escalate a tense situation. Whether facing a difficult negotiation over a debt financing agreement or a make-or-break meeting with regulators, Will recognizes that even as markets expand and stakes rise, success can hang on the smallest of actions, and that his work can impact his clients' valuable long-term relationships. By working to create win-win situations for all stakeholders, Will smooths the way for his clients’ transactions and sets the stage for their next big opportunity.

“I focus on learning about my client's work and what they are trying to accomplish. I put myself in their shoes and ask, if I were them, what would I want from my lawyer?”

Education

Bar and Court Admissions

Bar Admissions
- Texas, 1995

Professional Recognition

- Named "Lawyer of the Year" by The Best Lawyers in America^®for Corporate Law, 2019 and 2024
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America^®for Corporate Law; Securities / Capital Markets Law; Corporate Governance Law; Corporate Compliance Law, 2011-2024
- Named a Texas Leading Lawyer in Corporate/M&A by Chambers USA, 2020-2024
- Recognized by San Antonio Magazine in "San Antonio's Top Attorneys" for Business Law, 2019; Corporate Finance Merger & Acquisition Law, 2023
- Recognized by San Antonio Magazine in "San Antonio's Top Attorneys" for Corporate Finance Mergers & Acquisitions, 2020-2022
- Martindale-Hubbell^® AV^® Preeminent Peer Review Rating
- Named by San Antonio Business Journal as the 2015 Outstanding Lawyer for Corporate Law
- Selected for inclusion as a "Texas Super Lawyer," Super Lawyers, 2012
- Recognized by S.A. Scene in "San Antonio’s Best Lawyers" for Business & Corporate and Mergers & Acquisitions

Affiliations

- Association for Corporate Growth (Central Texas Chapter), Executive Vice President (past), Board Member
- State Bar of Texas
- San Antonio Bar Association
- Electrical Cooperative Bar Association
- Dykema Department Head, Corporate
- Dykema Practice Group Leader, General Corporate and Securities

Community

- Arts San Antonio, Board Member, Past Chairman

Related Employment

- - Partner, Cox Smith
- - Partner, Akin Gump

San Antonio 210-554-5414

Areas of client focus

Practices

Corporate and Finance Mergers and Acquisitions Private Equity Securities Government Reorganization and Restructuring

Industries

Food and Beverage Power and Utilities Energy and Natural Resources

Latest News and Insights

Press Mentions11.15.24

Dykema’s 2024 M&A Outlook Survey and Contributors Receive National Media Coverage

Several regional and national media outlets referenced Dykema’s 2024 M&A Outlook Survey.…

One Minute Matters Video Series10.21.24

One Minute Matters [Video]: 3 Key Trends Driving M&A Activity in the Energy Industry (with Will Liebmann)

Energy and natural resources remains one of the most active sectors of our M&A Outlook Report, with…

Press Releases10.15.24

Dykema's 20th Annual M&A Outlook Survey: Dealmakers Anticipate a Resurgent U.S. M&A Market in 2025

Twenty years of historical survey data reveal a clear trend: the U.S. M&A market is only as strong…

$41 Million Asset Sale for Largest Municipally Owned Utility in the United States

Advised the largest municipally owned electric and gas utility in the United States on the sale of its wireless communications infrastructure assets to a leading independent owner and operator of shared wireless communications assets for $41 million. The sale allowed the utility to focus on its core business and pay down debt while still using the communications infrastructure for its own purposes. Will assisted in both the asset sale and the negotiation of the ongoing operating agreement between the buyer and seller facilitating the shared use of the assets.

Bolstering a Client’s IP Portfolio Through Acquisition of Two Coronary Stent Companies

Advised a multinational medical device company in completing two acquisitions of coronary stent companies that owned complementary technologies. These acquisitions enhanced the client's intellectual property portfolio and its roster of skilled research and development and manufacturing personnel.

Making a Client the Leading Wholesale Wine and Spirits Distributor in Nebraska

Helped the second-largest distributor of premium wine and spirits in the United States acquire the two leading alcoholic beverage wholesale distributors in Nebraska, establishing the client as the leading statewide wholesale distributor of wine and spirits in Nebraska.

Doubling the Size of a Gasoline Distribution Client

Counseled a leading distributor of gasoline, diesel, propane, and lubricant products in the southwestern and south central United States, on the acquisition of a leading provider of automated fuel purchasing and management systems, which operated unattended fueling facilities in southern California and a fleet-fuel-cards business with more than 43,000 accounts. The acquisition effectively doubled the size of the company.

Forming the Second-Largest U.S. Wine and Spirits Distributor Through Joint Venture Deal

Advised on the combination of two long-term, well-established family-owned companies to form a joint venture that is the second largest distributor of premium wine and spirits in the United States with operations in 18 states.

Leading a $310 Million Chapter 11 Bankruptcy for a Petroleum Industry Client

Guided a debtor petroleum exploration and production company through a jointly administered chapter 11 bankruptcy cases in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas. Will established the sale process, introduced potential purchasers, and negotiated the terms of a $310 million sale of significantly all of the debtors' assets, enabling payment in full of the creditors’ claims and a multimillion dollar return to equity.

San Antonio 210-554-5414

Areas of client focus

Practices

Corporate and Finance Mergers and Acquisitions Private Equity Securities Government Reorganization and Restructuring

Industries

Food and Beverage Power and Utilities Energy and Natural Resources

11.15.24

Dykema’s 2024 M&A Outlook Survey and Contributors Receive National Media Coverage

Press Mentions

Several regional and national media outlets referenced Dykema’s 2024 M&A Outlook Survey. Additionally, myriad of the firm's attorneys who contributed to the report were also quoted by publications.
10.21.24

One Minute Matters [Video]: 3 Key Trends Driving M&A Activity in the Energy Industry (with Will Liebmann)

One Minute Matters Video Series

Energy and natural resources remains one of the most active sectors of our M&A Outlook Report, with 80% of respondents expecting the industry's deal market to strengthen in the year to come. Will…
10.15.24

Dykema's 20th Annual M&A Outlook Survey: Dealmakers Anticipate a Resurgent U.S. M&A Market in 2025

Press Releases

Twenty years of historical survey data reveal a clear trend: the U.S. M&A market is only as strong as the underlying economic conditions. This axiom is once again evident in Dykema's 20th Annual M&A…
09.13.24

Leading the Charge: Dykema Guides Two Electric Cooperatives to Finalist Status in Historic $7.3 Billion USDA Clean Energy Program

Press Releases

Dykema is proud to announce that two of the firm’s electric cooperative clients have been selected as finalists for the prestigious Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program. Dykema played a crucial…
08.15.24

216 Dykema Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 and Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch”

Press Releases

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that 216 of its attorneys, in multiple practice areas and markets, have been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 guide and the Best…
08.15.24

Understanding Your Responsibilities Under the Corporate Transparency Act

Legal Alerts

Beginning on January 1, 2024, the Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”) requires many entities formed or registered to do business in the United States to report information to the U.S. Department of…

View All

San Antonio 210-554-5414

Areas of client focus

Practices

Corporate and Finance Mergers and Acquisitions Private Equity Securities Government Reorganization and Restructuring

Industries

Food and Beverage Power and Utilities Energy and Natural Resources

Wilhelm E. Liebmann

Bar Admissions

Contact

Areas of client focus

Practices

Industries

Latest News and Insights

Contact

Areas of client focus

Practices

Industries

Dykema’s 2024 M&A Outlook Survey and Contributors Receive National Media Coverage

Press Mentions

One Minute Matters [Video]: 3 Key Trends Driving M&A Activity in the Energy Industry (with Will Liebmann)

One Minute Matters Video Series

Dykema's 20th Annual M&A Outlook Survey: Dealmakers Anticipate a Resurgent U.S. M&A Market in 2025

Press Releases

Leading the Charge: Dykema Guides Two Electric Cooperatives to Finalist Status in Historic $7.3 Billion USDA Clean Energy Program

Press Releases

216 Dykema Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 and Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch”

Press Releases

Understanding Your Responsibilities Under the Corporate Transparency Act

Legal Alerts

Contact

Areas of client focus

Practices

Industries