The Deal Drinks With The Deal: Debevoise's Regner Discusses Delaware Amendments, Mentor
Apr 10, 2025
William Regner, an M&A partner at Debevoise & Plimpton, dives into the latest legal amendments affecting Delaware corporate law. He shares his journey from paralegal to M&A expert, illustrating how mentorship transformed his career. Regner discusses the challenges and lessons learned during the tumultuous mid-1990s M&A market, particularly regarding cross-border mergers between German and U.S. laws. He offers insights into the delicate balance of buyer objectives and target firm cultures in investment management transactions.
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Paralegal Influence on Career
- William Regner worked as a paralegal before law school, which confirmed he wanted to be a lawyer and gave him practical experience.
- His exposure to corporate and M&A work early on helped shape his career focus when he returned to school.
Mentor's Powerful Influence
- Meredith Brown was William Regner's mentor and shaped his approach to law and life.
- Brown emphasized being well-prepared and intellectually venturesome, greatly influencing Regner's career.
Formative Deals at Career Start
- Early in his career, Regner worked on important deals including Chrysler's merger with Daimler and handling activist investor pressures.
- These experiences gave him significant responsibility and exposure to complex cross-border legal challenges.
