Joel T.May

Partner

(T) 1.404.581.8967

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Joel May is a corporate lawyer with more than 17 years of experience. He has recently represented clients in more than $20 billion of domestic and international corporate financing transactions in the manufacturing, consumer products, chemical products, real estate, e-commerce, telecommunications, and information management industries. These matters have included public equity and debt offerings, Rule 144A high yield offerings, private capital raisings, reorganizations, restructurings, recapitalizations, and other M&A transactions as well as counseling public companies and their boards of directors on a broad range of corporate governance and compliance matters. Joel is the Hiring Partner for Jones Day's Atlanta Office.

Joel joined the Atlanta Office in 2012 after spending the first part of his career in Jones Day's Chicago Office. His notable clients include AGNC Investment Corp., Asbury Automotive Group, Axiall Corporation, Birch Communications, Digital Management, Exide Technologies, Flowers Foods, HD Supply, Kraft Heinz Company, Milliken & Company, Newell Brands, Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, Rayonier, Randstad Holdings, Roper Technologies, and Southern Company.

Joel has been recognized as a leading lawyer by The Legal 500 United States. He is a member of the American Bar Association and the State Bar of Georgia.

Experience

  • Newell Rubbermaid issues $8 billion in Senior Notes offeringJones Day represented Newell Rubbermaid Inc., a global marketer of consumer and commercial products, in connection with its public offering of $8 billion aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes.
  • Newell Brands completes €271 million exchange offer and $295 million exchange offerJones Day advised Newell Brands Inc. in connection with its offers to exchange up to €271 million aggregate principal amount of 3¾% Senior Notes due 2021 for an equal principal amount of 3¾% Senior Notes due 2021 under the Securities Act of 1933 and $295 million aggregate principal amount of 5% Senior Notes due 2023 for an equal principal amount of 5% Senior Notes due 2023 under the Securities Act.
  • The Southern Company issues $8.5 billion Senior Notes in public offeringJones Day advised The Southern Company, a leading U.S. producer of clean, safe, reliable and affordable electricity, in connection with its public offering of $8.5 billion aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes.
  • Potash Corporation issues $500 million of Notes in public offeringJones Day represented Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc., the world’s largest integrated fertilizer and related industrial and feed products company, in connection with its issuance of $500 million of 4.000% Notes due 2026 in a public offering, underwritten by Goldman, Sachs & Co.; Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC; RBC Capital Markets, LLC; and Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.
  • Potash Corporation issues $500 million of 3.000% Notes in public offeringJones Day represented Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, Inc., the world's largest integrated fertilizer and related industrial and feed products company, in connection with its issuance of $500 million of 3.000% Notes due 2025 in a public offering, underwritten by BofA Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs & Co., RBC Capital Markets, and HSBC.
  • Potash Corporation issues $750 million of 3.625% Notes in public offeringJones Day represented Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, Inc., the world's largest integrated fertilizer and related industrial and feed products company, in connection with its issuance of $750 million of 3.625% Notes due 2024 in a public offering, underwritten by BofA Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, and UBS Investment Bank.
  • Potash Corporation completes take-down public offering of $500 million of NotesJones Day advised Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, Inc., the world's largest integrated fertilizer and related industrial and feed products company, in connection with its $500 million take-down public offering of 5.875% Notes, underwritten by Credit Suisse.
  • Flowers Foods completes $400 million public offering of Senior NotesJones Day represented Flowers Foods, Inc., a leading producer and marketer of fresh packaged bakery foods, in connection with its public offering of $400 million aggregate principal amount of 3.500% Senior Notes due 2026.
  • Flowers Foods issues $400 million of 4.375% Notes in public offeringJones Day represented Flowers Foods Inc., a leading producer and marketer of packaged bakery foods for retail and food service customers, in connection with its issuance of $400 million of 4.375% Senior Notes due 2022 in a public offering, underwritten by Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.
  • Axiall issues $688 million of Senior Notes in Rule 144A and Regulation S offeringJones Day advised Axiall Corporation (f.k.a. Georgia Gulf Corporation), a leading chemicals and building products manufacturer, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, in connection with the issuance of $688 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 in a Rule 144A and Regulation S offering.
  • Axiall issues $450 million of 4.875% Senior Notes in Rule 144A and Regulation S offeringJones Day advised Axiall Corporation (f.k.a. Georgia Gulf Corporation), a leading chemicals and building products manufacturer, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, in connection with its issuance and sale of $450 million aggregate principal amount of 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023 in a Rule 144A and Regulation S offering.
  • Axiall completes self-tender offer to repurchase up to $450 million of its outstanding 9% Senior Secured Notes due 2017Jones Day represented Axiall Corporation (f.k.a. Georgia Gulf Corporation), a leading chemicals and building products manufacturer, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, in connection with its offer to repurchase up to $450 million of its outstanding 9% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 and related consent solicitations to amend the indenture.
  • Asbury Automotive completes $200 million offering of Senior Subordinated NotesJones Day represented Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., one of the largest automotive retailers in the U.S., in connection with its issuance of an additional $200 million aggregate principal amount of 6.0% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2024 in a Rule 144A and Regulation S offering.
  • Asbury Automotive completes $400 million offering of 6.0% Senior Subordinated Notes and concurrent tender offerJones Day represented Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., one of the largest automotive retailers in the U.S., in connection with its issuance of $400 million aggregate principal amount of 6.0% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2024 in a Rule 144A offering and concurrent tender offer and consent solicitation related to all of its outstanding 8.375% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020.
  • Asbury Automotive issues additional $100 million of 8.375% Senior Subordinated NotesJones Day advised Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., one of the largest automotive retail and service companies in the U.S., in connection with its issuance of an additional $100 million aggregate principal amount of 8.375% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020 in a Rule 144A and Regulation S offering.
  • Kraft Foods issues $500 million of 6.75% Notes in a public offeringJones Day represented Kraft Foods Inc., a leading food and beverage company, in connection with its issuance of $500 million of 6.75% Notes due 2014 in a public offering, underwritten by a group of underwriters represented by BNP Paribas Securities Corp., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc.
  • PotashCorp combines with Agrium in $38 billion merger-of-equalsJones Day advised PotashCorp in its $38 billion all-stock merger-of-equals with Agrium.
  • Newell Brands acquires Jarden Corporation for $16 billionJones Day advised Newell Brands Inc. in connection with its acquisition of Jarden Corporation in a cash and stock transaction valued at $60 per share, or approximately $16 billion in equity value.
  • The Southern Company acquires AGL Resources for $12 billionJones Day advised The Southern Company (NYSE: SO) in connection with the acquisition and related financing of AGL Resources (NYSE: GAS) in a cash transaction with an enterprise value of approximately $12 billion, including total equity value of approximately $8 billion.
  • Axiall acquired by Westlake Chemical for $33 per share in all-cash transaction with $3.8 billion enterprise valueJones Day advised Axiall Corporation in connection with Westlake Chemical Corporation's $3.8 billion enterprise value acquisition.
  • Georgia Gulf merges with PPG Industries' commodity chemicals business in $2.1 billion transaction to form Axiall CorporationJones Day advised Georgia Gulf Corporation in its merger with the commodity chemicals division of PPG Industries, Inc. for $2.1 billion resulting in the creation of Axiall Corporation.
  • Newell Brands sells Tools division to Stanley Black & Decker for $1.95 billionJones Day advised Newell Brands Inc. in the $1.95 billion sale of its Tools business, including the Irwin®, Lenox®, and Hilmor® brands, to Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
  • American Capital Agency Corp. acquires American Capital Mortgage Management, LLC for $562 millionJones Day advised American Capital Agency Corp. (NASDAQ: AGNC), a mortgage REIT that invests primarily in agency securities, in its $562 million cash acquisition of American Capital Mortgage Management LLC from American Capital Asset Management, LLC ("ACAM"), a wholly-owned portfolio company of American Capital Ltd. (NASDAQ: ACAS).
  • Randstad acquires Monster for $429 millionJones Day advised Randstad Holding nv (AMS: RAND), a leading human resources services provider, in the acquisition of Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: MWW).
  • Birch Communications acquires Cbeyond for $323 millionJones Day advised Birch Communications Inc., a leading IP-based communications and cloud services provider to small and medium businesses, in the acquisition and related financing of Cbeyond, Inc., a technology ally to small and mid-sized businesses, for $323 million.
  • RLJ Lodging Trust completes roll-up and merger of RLJ Development for subsequent IPOJones Day represented RLJ Lodging Trust and its predecessor entities in connection with the merger and roll-up of RLJ Lodging Fund II and RLJ Real Estate Fund III with and into RLJ Lodging Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust that contemporaneously completed an underwritten initial public offering of $495 million of Common Shares.
  • Exide Technologies issues $675 million of 8 5/8% Senior Notes in Rule 144A offering; issues tender offer for Senior Notes; and amends and restates $200 million ABL lending facilityJones Day represented Exide Technologies, a manufacturer of stationary lead acid and nickel cadmium batteries, in connection with its Rule 144A offering of $675 million aggregate principal amount of 8 5/8% Senior Secured Notes due 2018 and concurrent tender offer and consent solicitation related to all of its outstanding 10 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2013.
  • Exide Technologies completes $675 million exchange offer of Senior Secured Notes for registered Senior Secured NotesJones Day advised Exide Technologies, a manufacturer of stationary lead acid and nickel cadmium batteries, in connection with its offer to exchange up to $675 million aggregate principal amount of 8 5/8% Senior Secured Notes due 2018 for an equal principal amount of 8 5/8% Senior Secured Notes due 2018 under the Securities Act of 1933.
  • Exide Technologies completes rights offering of $91 million of Common StockJones Day advised Exide Technologies in its $91.7 million rights offering of Common Stock, supported by a backstop equity agreement with Tontine Capital Partners, L.P. and Legg Mason Investment Trust, Inc.
  • Exide Technologies completes $241 million tender offerJones Day advised Exide Technologies in $241 million tender offer to amend certain options to the extent necessary to avoid adverse tax consequences under Section 409A.
  • Woodward issues $250 million of Senior Notes in private placementJones Day advised Woodward, Inc., a manufacturer and service provider of energy control and optimization solutions for aircraft engines, industrial engines and turbines, and electrical power equipment, in its $250 million private placement of Senior Unsecured Notes.
  • Woodard obtains $120 million acquisition loan and completes $100 million Senior Unsecured Notes offeringJones Day advised Woodard, Inc., a manufacturer and service provider of energy control and optimization solutions for aircraft engines, industrial engines and turbines, and electrical power equipment, in connection with its $120 million syndicated term acquisition loan provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and related $100 million of multi-series Senior Unsecured Notes in a private placement.
  • Woodward issues $250 million of Senior Unsecured Notes in private placementJones Day advised Woodward, Inc., a manufacturer and service provider of energy control and optimization solutions for aircraft engines, industrial engines and turbines, and electrical power equipment, in connection with its issuance of $250 million of Senior Unsecured Notes in a private placement.
  • LaSalle forms LaSalle Income and Growth IV and VJones Day assisted LaSalle Investment Management, Inc. with the formation of LaSalle Income and Growth IV, and LaSalle Income and Growth V.
  • RLJ Development forms RLJ Real Estate Fund IIIJones Day assisted RLJ Development, LLC, with the $1.19 billion formation of RLJ Real Estate Fund III, L.P.
  • RLJ Development forms RLJ Lodging Fund II, L.P.Jones Day assisted RLJ Development in the formation of RLJ Lodging Fund II, L.P., a real estate private equity fund investing primarily in focused-service hotel properties, which ultimately received aggregate capital commitments of $743 million.
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    July 2019 Commentaries

    SEC Explores Ways to Simplify, Harmonize, and Improve the Framework For Exempt Offerings

    May 2019 Commentaries

    SEC Proposes Amendments to "Accelerated Filer" and "Large Accelerated Filer" Definitions

    April 2019 Commentaries

    SEC Adopts FAST Act Amendments to Modernize and Simplify Disclosure Requirements

    February 2019 Alerts

    "Test-the-Waters" Accommodations Could Be Coming to a Company Near You

    November 2018 Commentaries

    SEC Finalizes Disclosure Requirements for Mining Registrants

    September 2018 Commentaries

    SEC Updates and Streamlines Disclosure Requirements

    January 2018 Commentaries

    A Gift From SEC Staff: Guidance on Tax Act's Form 10-K Accounting Implications

    October 2017 Commentaries

    SEC Proposes Modernization and Simplification of Regulation S-K

    October 2017 Commentaries

    Are You Ready for "New GAAP" Revenue Recognition? SEC Disclosure Considerations

    September 2017 Alerts

    Ready for "New GAAP" Revenue Recognition? Last Call for Transition Disclosure
    View All

    Speaking Engagements

    • December 1, 2016
      Jones Day/EY - Emerging Risks in Financial Reporting and Disclosures
    • October 27, 2016
      Georgia Bas Association / 35th Annual Business Law Institute - What Keeps In-House Law Departments Up At Night
    • January 7, 2016
      Jones Day Atlanta Hosts Diversity Meet & Greet
    • November 9, 2015
      Atlanta Bar Association / Scrutinizing Executive Compensation - The SEC's New Clawback and Pay Ratio Rules
    • March 23, 2012
      Introduction to the Resale of Restricted and Control Securities, ICLE Basic Securities Law Program
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