Overview
Bill Van Buren serves as Chairman of Kaufman & Canoles, is responsible for community engagement and key business development initiatives, and is recognized as a leading expert in the fields of mergers and acquisitions, healthcare law, and corporate governance.
Having actively participated as an officer and director of a family newspaper and media company, Bill’s business experience and perspective add great value to his ability to serve as an architect of successful business deals and as a trusted advisor to business owners seeking to prepare and effect successful transitions of their business enterprise. Bill has extensive experience with a wide range of industries but has developed particular expertise in the field of healthcare where he has represented multiple large professional practices, hospitals, medical schools, and life sciences companies. Bill served for over 16 years as President and Chairman of Kaufman & Canoles, guiding the firm’s financial success and its ascension as one of the leading business law firms in the mid-Atlantic.
Representative Matters
Commercial and Mergers & Acquisitions
Represented seller of a privately held government contractor in its sale to a public company in a transaction valued in excess of $200,000,000
Served as borrower counsel in $165,000,000 high-yield debt financing
Represented multiple buyers and sellers of major automobile dealerships, including Lexus, Toyota, BMW, Chevrolet, Honda, and Nissan franchises
Served as Virginia counsel to large international hedge fund in proxy contest involving a Fortune 500 company
Represented the seller of thirteen automotive dealerships with annual revenue in excess of $1 billion in connection with the sale of its assets and related real estate holdings to a publicly traded automotive company
Represented a registered investment advisor with in excess of $5 billion in assets under management in its sale to a strategic private equity backed buyer
Represented a private equity-backed buyer in connection with its acquisition of a portfolio of heating, ventilation and air conditioning products and services
Represented a family-owned national private education company focused on aviation maintenance and technical education in its sale to a private equity buyer
Represented a closely held natural gas marketing company in its controlled auction and ultimate sale to a large domestic natural gas reseller
Counseled numerous Boards of Directors on corporate governance matters and shareholder disputes, including service as an expert witness on customary board protocols in two major Virginia cases involving shareholder oppression claims
Health Care and Senior Housing
Represented a global healthcare company in numerous acquisitions of life sciences companies domestically and in Europe, including navigating the complexities of multinational business transactions
Facilitated and closed a number of major medical group integrations in the mid-Atlantic including several consolidations of large urology groups
Coordinated the organization and financing of $100,000,000 plus continuing care retirement community project and its subsequent $200,000,000 financing and expansion
Represented shareholders of a large medical group in connection with a private equity backed acquisition of nonclinical assets in a transaction valued in excess of $200,000,000
Represented a medical school and related practice plan in connection with its integration and affiliation with a public university
Recognition & Honors
Honors & Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America, 1996–2026
150 Influential Leaders in Business in Coastal Virginia; CoVaBIZ Magazine, 2024-2025
Top Lawyers; CoVaBIZ Magazine, 2017-2020, 2022-2025
Virginia 500 - The Power List: Law, Virginia Business Magazine, 2020-2023
100 Influential Leaders in Business in Coastal Virginia; CoVaBIZ Magazine, 2023
America’s Leading Business Lawyers; Chambers USA; Corporate/Mergers & Acquisitions Law, 2007–2013, 2017-2024
Virginia Super Lawyers; Law & Politics, 2007–2015, 2020-2022
Go To Lawyer - Business Law; Virginia Lawyers Weekly, 2020
Norfolk Health Care Law “Lawyer of the Year”; Best Lawyers in America, 2014, 2025
William B. Spong, Jr. Professionalism Award; Virginia Bar Association, 2010
Virginia Super Lawyers, Corporate Counsel Edition, Law & Politics, 2009
Virginia’s Legal Elite; Virginia Business Magazine, 2004–2025
The Power List; Inside Business, 2013–2015, 2018-2023; Emeritus List, 2024-2025
Leader in the Law; Virginia Lawyers Weekly, 2007
Fellow of the Virginia Law Foundation Class of 2002
AV® Rated; Martindale-Hubbell
Press & Publications
News
Community & Professional
Associations
The Virginia Bar Association; Past President, 2006; Commission on Professionalism, Founding Member; Committee on Special Issues of National & State Importance, 2016 – Present; Governance Committee, 2011-2015; Young Lawyers Section, Past Chairman, 1991
American Bar Association
American Health Lawyers Association
Virginia Law Foundation; Past President
EVMS Medical Group; Board of Directors
Fort Norfolk Retirement Community, Inc.; Executive Committee, Board Member; Chairman, Board of Directors, 2010-2013
Virginia Symphony Orchestra; Board of Directors
Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges; Executive Committee; Board of Trustees, Board Chairman 2024-2026
Hampton Roads Executive Roundtable; Executive Committee; Governance Committee Chair
Truist Bank; Hampton Roads Regional Advisory Board
Norfolk Academy; Board of Trustees, 1998- 2024; President, Board of Trustees, 2011-2014
Priority Toyota Charity Bowl; Board of Directors
LifeNet Chairman’s Cup; Executive Committee
Norfolk Yacht & Country Club; Board of Governors
Credentials
Education
College of William & Mary; B.B.A., 1978
University of Virginia School of Law; J.D., 1981
TerraLex Harvard Law School Executive Leadership Program; 2018
Beyond the Law
Outside of the office, Bill enjoys travel, golf, tennis, biking, snow skiing, boating, and keeping up with his five grandchildren.
