Overview
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.
Services
Experience
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
Credentials
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
Recognition
- 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
Civic & Professional
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
News & Insights
News
- Firm News
- Firm News
- Firm News
- Firm News
- Firm News
- Firm News
- Firm News
Publications & Presentations
Co-Presenter, Drafting Contracts Potpourri, ISBA Annual Meeting, May 2020
"Mortgage Underwriters: Deciphering Exempt Status Under the FLSA’s Enigmatic Administrative Exemption,” The Journal of Corporation Law, Volume 44, 2019