Bill Axtman advises clients on business transactions and for more than 20 years has focused on domestic and cross-border M&A, divestitures, and joint ventures for multinational companies. He also represents clients on significant leasing and licensing transactions and other complex commercial arrangements.
He works with clients in a variety of industries, including specialty manufacturing, aerospace, health care, and energy and mining. He provides advice on a range of issues, including corporate governance and regulatory compliance.
Bill represented Alcoa Corporation on its recently announced agreement to sell its rolling mill business for $670 million and on the recent sale of its hazardous waste business. Bill advised Wabtec Corporation in a merger with GE Transportation, valued at $11.1 billion. Bill also represented ATI on joint venture transactions with each of GE Aviation and the Tsingshan Group. He advised UPMC Enterprises on several deals and assisted a large, multinational client with dozens of aircraft lease transactions.
Prior to joining Jones Day in 2015, Bill served as practice group coordinator for the M&A group of a large international law firm. During this time he represented United Technologies Corporation on numerous acquisitions and divestitures related to its building and industrial systems and aerospace businesses and ATI on the sale of its tungsten materials business.
Bill serves as an adjunct professor at Duquesne University School of Law and on the board of Propel Schools (former president). He represents several nonprofit organizations on a pro bono basis and is a graduate of the Leadership Pittsburgh Class of 2016.
Experience
The following represents experience acquired prior to joining Jones Day.
Represented specialty metals maker, Allegheny Technologies Incorporated (NYSE: ATI), in connection with the cross-border sale of its tungsten materials business to Kennametal (NYSE: KMT) for approximately $605 million. ATI's tungsten materials business had approximately 1,175 employees operating through 14 facilities globally and produced tungsten powder, tungsten heavy alloys, tungsten carbide materials, and carbide cutting tools.
Served as outside counsel on acquisitions and divestitures for several divisions of United Technologies Corporation, a diversified Fortune 50 company, that provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the building systems and aerospace industries. Represented the company in connection with numerous acquisitions and divestitures over a multiyear period.
Represented Alcoa, a global leader in lightweight metals engineering and manufacturing, in the sale of its ownership stake in a Jamaican-based bauxite mining and alumina refining joint venture.
Represented a global Fortune 500 company in the paints, chemicals, and specialty materials industry in its acquisition of a privately owned specialty coatings company supplying structural primers and military topcoats to the North American aviation industry.
Represented a large, diversified public company client with its stock divestiture to a private equity buyer of a subsidiary company that designs and manufactures specialty products for the aerospace and defense industry.
Represented a client that manufactures specialty equipment in connection with its asset acquisition of a rough, semi-finish and finish machine shop business that supplies mission critical parts to the oil field, midstream oil and gas, petrochemical, and related industries.
Represented an emerging growth company that manufactures and distributes innovative child products in a minority investment by a venture capital firm.
Represented a private retail apparel chain in the Northeast in the sale of a controlling interest to a private equity investment group.
Represented an emerging life sciences company in connection with the sale and exclusive worldwide license of its drug development program to a major biopharmaceutical company for payments of up to $345 million.
Represented a drug and alcohol rehabilitation company in the sale of a controlling interest to a private equity firm.
Represented a venture capital investor in connection with its initial and follow-on investments in an online media company.
Assisted a private equity investor in its acquisition of a private yacht manufacturing company.
Represented a Fortune 100 company in the banking and financial services industry in connection with the stock acquisition of a reverse mortgage business.
Represented a global Fortune 500 company in the paints, chemicals, and specialty materials industry in connection with a cross-border asset acquisition of a chemical coatings business.
Represented a public company provider of post-secondary education in its $3.4 billion going private acquisition led by private equity sponsors.
Represented a public utility in connection with Rule 144A offering of $450 million of senior notes.
Represented an education company in its initial public offering of common stock and debt tender offer.
Represented an energy company in connection with Rule 144A offering of $600 million of notes.
Represented a Fortune 500 company in connection with Rule 144A offering of $300 million of convertible debentures and with subsequent convertible debt-for-convertible debt exchange offer.
Served as U.S. counsel to client in the lead production industry in a €600 million PIK loan offering.
Represented a major integrated steel producer in concurrent registered and municipal debt exchange offers.
Speaking Engagements
- Spring 2019
Adjunct Professor, Duquesne University School of Law, Negotiations Course - Spring 2018
Duquesne Law School Teach Negotiation Skills Course - July 18, 2017
Transactional Practice Boot Camp - May 10, 2016
Transactional Practice Boot Camp - December 15, 2015
Appreciating Reps, Warranties and Indemnities in the M&A and Commercial Practice
Speaking Engagements Prior to Jones Day
Served as guest lecturer at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law on corporate law matters.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Taught annual merger and acquisition seminar and numerous CLE sponsored presentations.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Northwestern University (J.D. 2000); University of Rochester (B.A. magna cum laude 1994; Phi Beta Kappa)
- Pennsylvania