William B. Beekman, General Attorney in New York
Over 45 years of legal practice · focused on General and M&A · 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
PartneratDebevoise & Plimpton LLP
New, NY
Practicing general in New York since 1981.
- 45+
- Years practicing
- 5.0 ★
- 1 client review
- 1
- Bar admission
Are you William B. Beekman?
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Quick answer
William B. Beekman is a partner based in New York, NY. The practice focuses on General and M&A. William has over 45 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
- Based in
- New York, NY
- Experience
- over 45 years
- Known for
- General · M&A
- Handles General and M&A matters from New York, NY.
- Over 45 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with AV Preeminent.
About William B. Beekman: William B. Beekman is a partner based in New York, NY. The practice focuses on General and M&A. William has over 45 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Areas of practice
Legal matters William takes on
William concentrates on general and m&a. Each area below outlines the kind of case William handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
General cases in New York
William takes general matters in New York. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.
M&A cases in New York
William takes m&a matters in New York. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.
Biography
Meet William B. Beekman — general lawyer in New York
William B. Beekman is a partner based in New York, NY. The practice focuses on General and M&A. William has over 45 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
William B. Beekman is a lawyer practicing finance, structured finance, project & infrastructure finance and 2 other areas of law. William received a B.A. degree from Harvard University in 1971, and has been licensed for 45 years. William practices at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP in New York, NY.
William's approach to general cases
William B. Beekman is a lawyer practicing finance, structured finance, project & infrastructure finance and 2 other areas of law. William received a B.A. degree from Harvard University in 1971, and has been licensed for 45 years. William practices at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP in New York, NY.
Clients William works with
William reviews new inquiries case-by-case for general and m&a matters across New York.
Credentials
Education, bar admissions, and languages
Yale Law School
J.D. · 1980
Harvard University
B.A. · 1971
Jurisdictions
William's state bar admissions
New York
1981 · ACTIVE
William studied at J.D. in Yale Law School and B.A. in Harvard University.
Law school and academic background
William completed J.D. in Yale Law School and B.A. in Harvard University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice William runs in New York is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Recognition and thought leadership
William has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
AV Preeminent
Legal awards and honors
AV Preeminent.
Affiliations
William's professional memberships and bar associations
of the American College of Investment Counsel and is currently a trustee of that organization. Mr. Beekman was ranked in Chambers USA (2007) as a leading finance lawyer. He is a contributing author of The Private Equity Primer: The Best of the Debevoise &
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Cerberus Capital Management and MassMutual Capital in their $600 million purchase of a controlling interest in Scottish Re
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The Dolan family in its recent $22 billion effort to take Cablevision private
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Debevoise Advises In The Acquisition Of U.S. Foodservice By Clayton, Dubilier & Rice And Kohlberg Kravis Roberts From Ahold
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Trident IV, L.P. in Agreement to Acquire Automobile Protection Corporation (APCO) From Ford Motor Company
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Ronald Lauder in his $190 million sale of a 49% stake in the interests of Central European Media Enterprises to Apax Partners
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Domtar in its $6 billion combination with Weyerhaeuser's fine paper business in a "reverse Morris Trust" transaction
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the new Domtar will be the largest manufacturer of uncoated freesheet paper in North America
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Phelps Dodge in its $40 billion merger (later terminated) with Canadian mining companies Inco and Falconbridge, one of the largest mining deals ever
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The private equity consortium of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, The Carlyle Group and Merrill Lynch Global Private Equity in their $15 billion acquisition of Hertz from Ford Motor Company
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Fisher Scientific in Its Credit Facility and Customer Accounts Receivable Securitization Delta Air Lines, Inc. in Aircraft Financing Restructuring Program
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NBC, a subsidiary of GE Co., in its $14 billion acquisition of Vivendi Universal Entertainment, a unit of Vivendi Universal S.A
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General Chemical Industrial Products Inc. in Its Plan of Reorganization
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American Seafoods, a Centre Partners Portfolio Company, With Its Financings
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Locations
William B. Beekman's office in New York
William's primary office is at 919 Third Avenue, New York, NY, 10022. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Client feedback
Client reviews of William B. Beekman — 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Every review below is from a verified client of William. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing general attorneys in New York.
5.0
1 client review
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once William B. Beekman claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire William B. Beekman — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new general attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with William usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
William charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain William's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; William will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a general attorney in New York
A short list to run through before you commit: How many general matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for William
William discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in general practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every general matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. William confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
William's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many general practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about William B. Beekman
How much does it cost to hire William for a general case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. William walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does William offer a free consultation?
William charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain William's office. Some general attorneys offer free consults — check William's current terms during booking.
How long do general cases in New York typically take?
Simple general matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. William gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can William take my case if I'm outside New York?
William is licensed in New York. Matters governed by New York law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — William will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with William?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. William will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is William accepting new general clients right now?
William's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
General attorneys serving Albany and Brooklyn in New York
William handles general matters throughout New York. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified general attorneys in that community.
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