Disciplined. Proactive. Collaborative.
William M. Welch is a shareholder at Bernstein Shur, renowned for his extensive experience in real estate law and his commitment to community service.
With a background as a decorated U.S. Naval officer and a business planner for NASA’s Space Station project, Bill brings a disciplined and strategic approach to his legal practice. He leads Bernstein Shur’s Massachusetts Real Estate Initiative, playing a pivotal role in numerous high-tech and industrial corridor projects across New England.
First I focus on understanding what the client is looking to achieve, then in concert with the client come up with strategies to achieve the client’s objectives and then pull out all the stops necessary to overcome obstacles, find solutions, and get the job completed on time and on budget.
What he's great at
Bill offers clients focused, solutions-oriented counsel in the following areas:
- Commercial Real Estate Transactions
- Managing commercial acquisitions, sales, financing, development projects, entity formation and commercial leasing for office, retail, industrial and medical landlords and tenants.
- Title Services
- Serving as vice president of Monument Title Company, Bernstein Shur’s in-house title agency, and acting as the firm’s exclusive First American Title Insurance Company agent for Massachusetts.
- Business Law
- Providing counsel on general business matters, leveraging his MBA training, previous corporate experience, and decades of legal expertise.
- Aviation Transactional Law
- Advising clients on transactional aviation-related legal matters, drawing from his military and analytical background.
How he delivers
Bill is known for his straightforward communication and ability to deliver projects on time and within budget. His methodical approach, honed through military service and complex project planning, ensures that clients receive efficient and effective legal solutions.
Why you'll enjoy working with him
Bill is a highly versatile, multi-jurisdictional, results-oriented practitioner with decades of experience. Clients appreciate Bill’s disciplined and strategic mindset, which translates into meticulous attention to detail and proactive problem-solving. His dedication to client success and community involvement makes him a trusted advisor and collaborator.
Who he is off the clock
Outside of his legal practice, Bill enjoys spending time with his wife, three adult children and their spouses, and young grandson. He is also deeply involved in his community. He volunteers with the Legal Services Team for Northern New England US Coast Guard Sector in South Portland, serves as President of Family Ice, is a long-time member of the Congregation Bet Ha’am Finance and Garden Committees, and together with his wife volunteers with organizations supporting new immigrants. He is also a former board member of The World Affairs Council of Maine, Congregation Bet Ha’am, and Falmouth Little League, and is a multi-decade volunteer classroom instructor for Junior Achievement. An avid sports enthusiast, Bill enjoys snowboarding, playing adult league ice hockey, and taking brisk walks around the neighborhood or Back Cove with his wife and their miniature labradoodle.