William A. Mason, IV

William A. Mason, IV is a business lawyer and partner in Gravel & Shea PC’s Corporate Department and has served as a co-managing partner since 2020. His practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, investment activities, business formation, succession planning, emerging technologies, and commercial real estate financing. He represents private equity funds, companies, investors, issuers, and purchasers in debt and equity financings, securities transactions, and corporate agreements. He also structures shareholder, partnership, LLC, and investor arrangements for businesses and investment groups.

William earned a J.D., cum laude, from the University of Maine School of Law in 1996, where he served as Notes Editor of the Maine Law Review. He received a B.A. from the University of Vermont in 1991. His legal education supports transaction work requiring careful drafting, securities analysis, negotiation, and attention to corporate structure. Combined with extensive deal experience, that background helps him evaluate financing terms, ownership rights, governance provisions, and the legal steps needed to complete complex business transactions.

William joined Gravel & Shea in 2003 after practicing at another Burlington firm, where he focused primarily on debt and equity financings. His representative work includes advising sellers in major business sales and borrowers in large credit facilities. He regularly works on mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, financings, securities issuances, and agreements among investors and owners. His practice requires coordinating business objectives with legal structure, helping clients negotiate deal terms, document transactions, allocate rights and obligations, and move investments or sales toward closing.

William A. Mason, IV has received recognition from Best Lawyers, Chambers USA, New England Super Lawyers, and Martindale-Hubbell, including Burlington Lawyer of the Year honors for Corporate Law. He has also held leadership roles in the Vermont Bar Association’s Business Law Section and in Burlington civic organizations. His experience across corporate transactions, private equity, financing, and securities matters helps businesses and investors structure deals, manage governance concerns, and make informed decisions when significant capital and ownership interests are involved.

Law Office Affiliations

• Managing Partner, Gravel & Shea PC
• Member, Maine State Bar Association
• Member, Vermont Bar Association
• Chair, Business Law Section, Vermont Bar Association (2024-Present)
• Member, Massachusetts Bar Association
• Member, Chittenden County Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Commissioner, Burlington Airport Commission (2024-Present)
• Director, King Street Youth Center (2026-Present)
• Councilor, City of Burlington (2012-2022)

Licensed State

• Maine
• Vermont
• Massachusetts

Education

• University of Maine School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD) (Cum Laude)
• University of Vermont
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges