William

"Bill" Swart

Shareholder
500 N. Akard Street, Suite 4000
Dallas, TX 75201-6605

Overview

Bill represents middle-market and early stage companies in a variety of industries, including health care, technology, consumer products and energy. During his extensive career as a corporate attorney in Dallas, Bill has put his experience and perspective to good use in addressing his clients’ most critical concerns, whether in connection with a sale transaction, a growth strategy or a recapitalization. Clients often say that they consider Bill a trusted advisor and rely heavily on his understanding of their objectives and risk tolerance when planning their strategies. His nuanced understanding of private equity structures and conventions allows him to manage expectations among buyers, sellers, lenders, management and other parties to complex transactions.

Bill is frequently called upon to represent boards of directors and management teams in circumstances in which such clients need independent counsel. Examples include interested party transactions and other transactions in which there are delicate or contentious governance issues.

In today’s economy, many successful professionals are leaving established private equity funds and hedge funds to create their own private investment platform or family office. In that sector, Bill has represented a number of founders of new funds and fund-less sponsors, both in establishing new platforms as well as in exiting their existing firms. He has also represented major investors in such funds or in specific acquisitions made by private equity funds.

In the health care sector, Bill represents established health care companies and their investors in mergers, acquisitions and financings. Representative of this area of his practice is his representation of Bellus Medical in connection with its sale to Crown Laboratories and advising a large regional health system in its consolidation with a national, faith-based health system in a transaction valued at $900 MM; another is his engagement by a private equity firm to acquire and expand a medical equipment leasing company. He also has a lengthy track record handling complex private equity deals in the midstream energy sector. Finally, Bill is often asked to represent early stage technology companies in preparing for and then raising growth capital.

Outside of his law practice, Bill is an active supporter of the arts community and holds a doctorate in literature. He offers pro bono counsel to local theater groups and serves as Chair of The University of Texas at Dallas’ Arts & Humanities Advisory Council.

Education

Admission

Achievements

Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent®, Peer Review Rated

  • Memberships

    • Association for Corporate Growth, Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter 
    • Dallas Bar Association
    • Texas Bar Association
    • Dallas Opera (Prior Board Executive Committee Member)
    • Undermain Theatre (President of the Board of Trustees)
    • The University of Texas at Dallas Arts & Humanities Advisory Council (Chair)
    • City of Dallas Cultural Affairs Commission (Prior Chair)
    • Friends of WRR (Prior Chair)
    • Preston Hollow Presbyterian School (Prior Chair)

Overview

Bill represents middle-market and early stage companies in a variety of industries, including health care, technology, consumer products and energy. During his extensive career as a corporate attorney in Dallas, Bill has put his experience and perspective to good use in addressing his clients’ most critical concerns, whether in connection with a sale transaction, a growth strategy or a recapitalization. Clients often say that they consider Bill a trusted advisor and rely heavily on his understanding of their objectives and risk tolerance when planning their strategies. His nuanced understanding of private equity structures and conventions allows him to manage expectations among buyers, sellers, lenders, management and other parties to complex transactions.

Bill is frequently called upon to represent boards of directors and management teams in circumstances in which such clients need independent counsel. Examples include interested party transactions and other transactions in which there are delicate or contentious governance issues.

In today’s economy, many successful professionals are leaving established private equity funds and hedge funds to create their own private investment platform or family office. In that sector, Bill has represented a number of founders of new funds and fund-less sponsors, both in establishing new platforms as well as in exiting their existing firms. He has also represented major investors in such funds or in specific acquisitions made by private equity funds.

In the health care sector, Bill represents established health care companies and their investors in mergers, acquisitions and financings. Representative of this area of his practice is his representation of Bellus Medical in connection with its sale to Crown Laboratories and advising a large regional health system in its consolidation with a national, faith-based health system in a transaction valued at $900 MM; another is his engagement by a private equity firm to acquire and expand a medical equipment leasing company. He also has a lengthy track record handling complex private equity deals in the midstream energy sector. Finally, Bill is often asked to represent early stage technology companies in preparing for and then raising growth capital.

Outside of his law practice, Bill is an active supporter of the arts community and holds a doctorate in literature. He offers pro bono counsel to local theater groups and serves as Chair of The University of Texas at Dallas’ Arts & Humanities Advisory Council.

Experience

  • Multifamily Funding Negotiation

    Representation of large multifamily housing developer in the negotiation of a funding agreement with its capital provider in $125 MM project.

  • Industrial Development Financing

    Representation of industrial real property developer in $200 MM project in which the primary financing source acquired a portion of the undeveloped land at closing to develop separately. 

  • Medical Device Company M&A

    Represented a medical device company in its sale to a private equity backed strategic purchaser in a $100 MM transaction.

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