R. William “Bill” Ide III began his academic career at Washington and Lee University, initially studying engineering. However, he soon realized that his interests lay elsewhere—he was drawn to history and governance. He changed his focus to history, a decision that eventually led him to pursue a law degree at the University of Virginia School of Law.

After law school, Bill began his legal career clerking for Judge Griffin Bell at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. During this time, the civil rights movement was transforming the country, and the Fifth Circuit played a key role in desegregation cases, voting rights, and legal reforms. Working alongside Judge Bell, Bill saw firsthand how the rule of law could be used to uphold democracy and protect individual rights.

Following his clerkship, Bill entered private practice in Atlanta and became a partner at Long Aldridge & Norman. His work focused on corporate law, public finance, and governance, helping businesses and institutions navigate legal and ethical challenges. During this time, he was also involved in public service efforts, including legal aid initiatives and Atlanta’s development projects. He played a role in helping establish MARTA’s legal framework and was one of the few white lawyers in the city to support Andrew Young’s first congressional campaign.

As Bill took on leadership roles within the American Bar Association (ABA), he worked on issues such as judicial independence, corporate governance, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR). His deep involvement in the ABA eventually led to his election as President of the ABA in 1993. In this role, he focused on:
✔ Protecting judicial independence, ensuring that courts remained free from political pressure.
✔ Expanding alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to provide businesses and individuals greater access to fair conflict resolution.
✔ Addressing racial and systemic bias in the justice system.
✔ Strengthening democracy abroad, particularly through the ABA’s Central European and Eurasian Law Initiative (CEELI), which helped post-Soviet nations build independent legal systems.

After his term as ABA President, Bill moved into corporate leadership, becoming General Counsel, Senior Vice President & Secretary of Monsanto, a Fortune 100 company. In this role, he oversaw corporate compliance, legal strategy, and governance oversight at a time of increasing regulatory scrutiny for corporations. His experience at Monsanto deepened his expertise in corporate governance, and he later served on multiple corporate boards, including:
✔ Chair, Governance Committee, Albemarle Corporation
✔ Board Member, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc.
✔ Advisor to Fortune 500 companies on governance, compliance, and business ethics

Bill has also helped organizations manage legal crises and governance failures. A client once referred to him as a “Board Doctor” for his ability to help businesses strengthen governance structures and prevent future risks. He attributes much of his understanding of crisis management and independent investigations to lessons he learned from his mentor, former U.S. Attorney General Griffin Bell. Over the years, Bill has worked with public companies, private firms, universities, and nonprofits to help them navigate corporate crises, regulatory challenges, and governance reforms.

Beyond corporate governance, Bill has remained committed to the rule of law and democratic integrity. In 2004, he presented the ABA/CEELI Ambassadors' Award to U.S. Ambassador Alexander Vershbow, recognizing his contributions to promoting judicial independence and democracy abroad.

Today, Bill continues to advise businesses, legal organizations, and policymakers, helping them navigate governance challenges and maintain ethical leadership. His career has spanned private practice, corporate leadership, and legal reform, always grounded in the belief that strong governance and the rule of law are essential to a functioning democracy.