WILLIAM D. NORMAN is a Director at McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton, PA. Bill’s practice focus is on privately held companies in three distinct, but interrelated areas of their development: (1) Start-up/Emerging businesses, primarily in the high tech sector, where he counsels companies on developing, documenting and implementing business processes, systems and strategies designed to successfully maneuver the company from infancy to maturity; (2) Middle Market Companies: Strategizing, creating, negotiating and documenting complex business arrangements vital to the continued growth and prosperity of the company; and (3) Reexamining, refining and where necessary, re-thinking the Company’s internal and external operations so as to assure continued growth and profitability, while positioning itself for the ultimate exit. Because his practice concentrates on advising companies through their various life cycles, he has an integrated and intimate understanding of matters that are critical to each. During his 30+ years as a practitioner, he has owned and operated a number of privately held businesses, including as one of the key founders and managing partners of a 30 person business law firm before joining McLane. Bill was also named a 2006 Massachusetts Super Lawyer by Law & Politics magazine for his work in business and corporate law. He was included in the 2008-2009 Princeton Premier Business Leaders and Professional Honors Edition. He has been rated “very good” by avvo.com. He is a member of the Smaller Business Association of New England (SBANE) and has served on its Executive Board and Board of Directors. He is also a member of Business International and the International Business Brokers Association, as well as a member and participant of the LinkedIn Group Blog: “I want to sell my business in 5 years.” Bill is a frequent lecturer for professional organizations such as Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE), Lorman Education Services, Business Enterprise Institute, and Exit Planning Exchange on topics such as effectively representing family businesses, and mature and emerging businesses, and sourcing and negotiating capital. He also serves as a committee member on MCLE’s Curriculum Advisory Committee (CAC). He was admitted to the New Jersey and New York bars in 1975 and the Massachusetts Bar in 1979. (December 2010)