Austin L. Goodnight

With practical advice, skilled drafting and a business-focused approach, Austin helps clients navigate the transaction process to maximize return and minimize risk.

Austin has expertise in facilitating mergers and acquisitions across a wide variety of industries, serving as counsel on deals of varying size and structure with an aggregate value exceeding $2.75 billion. He also routinely assists clients with commercial contract drafting, review and advice, corporate law compliance and a wide variety of other commercial transactions, including business formation, preparation of organizational documents such as operating agreements and buy-sell agreements, securities transactions, and corporate reorganizations and recapitalizations.

Mergers & Acquisitions

• $835 million sale of an electric infrastructure and engineering company
• $375 million sale of a traffic control services company
• $175 million sale of an IT marketing company
• $169 million sale of a food ingredient manufacturing and distribution company
• $110 million sale of a healthcare software company
• $85 million sale of a healthcare products company
• $76 million acquisition of an ag machinery parts and equipment distribution company
• $74 million acquisition of a label manufacturing company
• $65.5 million acquisition of a roofing services company
• $59 million acquisition of a heavy ag machinery dealership
• $50 million acquisition of a foundation repair company
• $49 million “carve-out” sale of an obstetrics product division
• $45 million sale of a behavioral health services company
• $38 million acquisition of a roofing services company
• $38 million acquisition of an aftermarket auto parts company
• $34 million sale of an insurance brokerage firm
• $33 million sale of power and separation equipment manufacturing company
• $32 million acquisition of a lifting and rigging product supply company
• $31.5 million acquisition of a food ingredient manufacturing and distribution company
• $27 million acquisition of a data analytics and fundraising company
• $24 million acquisition of a lawn and pest management company
• $23 million acquisition of a telecommunications engineering company
• $20 million acquisition of a telecommunication product distribution company
• $20 million sale of an industrial separation solutions company
• $20 million acquisition of a IT marketing company
• $16.5 million acquisition of a traffic control services company
• $12 million acquisition of a lawn care and pest management company
• $11 million acquisition of a lifting and rigging product supply company
• $11 million acquisition of a wood pallet manufacturing company
• $11 million acquisition of a bridge and heavy highway construction company
• $10 million sale of an agricultural equipment fabrication company
• $9.5 million acquisition of a liquid waste treatment company
• $8.5 million acquisition of a trash and recycling hauling company
• $8 million acquisition of a marketing and search engine optimization company

Corporate Governance

• Assisted a national provider of telecommunication engineering and consulting services with corporate reorganization and re-branding
• Assisted a national provider of consumer healthcare products in corporate recapitalization
• Assisted a national retailer of protective apparel and equipment in a corporate reorganization
• Assisted an international food services company in a corporate reorganization with a U.S. affiliate
• Assisted a telecommunications engineering company with a corporate reorganization and brand consolidation

Commercial Contracts

• Drafted and negotiated product reseller agreement for a manufacturer of cosmetic products
• Drafted and negotiated form branding services agreement for a provider of content marketing services
• Drafted and negotiated administrative services agreement for a non-profit provider of sobering center services

Education

• University of Iowa College of Law, J.D., 2019, with high distinction
• University of Northern Iowa, B.A., 2016, cum laude

Admissions

• Iowa, 2019

• Great Plains Super Lawyers Rising Star, Mergers & Acquisitions, 2024-2025
• Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Corporate Governance and Compliance Law, 2023-2025; Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2024-2025
• Order of the Coif

Professional Activities

• Rotary Club of Des Moines, Member
• Midwest Business Brokers and Intermediaries, Member of Iowa Chapter
• Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute—Community Connect Program, Member of Young Professionals Connection, 2021
• Altoona Area Chamber of Commerce, Member
• Iowa State Bar Association, Member
• Journal of Corporation Law, Note & Comment Editor, 2018-2019
• Iowa Legal Aid—Pro Se Divorce Clinic, Pro Bono Volunteer, 2016