Joel T.May

Partner

Atlanta + 1.404.581.8967

Joel May is co-chair of the Firm's corporate governance area, with more than 23 years of experience representing clients and their boards of directors in a broad range of financing and corporate transactions, as well as corporate governance, shareholder activism, proxy fights, and securities compliance matters. Joel has represented clients in domestic and international financing and corporate transactions in the manufacturing, consumer products, chemical products, real estate, e-commerce, telecommunications, and information management industries; these transactions include public equity and debt offerings; initial public offerings (IPOs); special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) and private investment in public equity (PIPE) transactions; Rule 144A high yield offerings; reorganizations, restructurings, and recapitalizations; and other M&A transactions.

Joel joined the Atlanta Office in 2012 after spending the first part of his career in Jones Day's Chicago Office. He currently serves as the administrative partner for Atlanta.

Joel's notable clients include Aaron's, Allison Transmission, Asbury Automotive Group, Bespoke Capital Acquisition Corp., Bunge Ltd., Corpay, ExxonMobil, Flowers Foods, HanesBrands, Helios Technologies, Laboratory Corporation of America® Holdings, Milliken, Newell Brands, Nutrien, P&G, PureCycle Technologies, Rayonier, Roper Technologies, Southern Company, Vintage Wine Estates, and VSE Corporation.

Recognized as a leading lawyer by The Legal 500 United States, Joel is a member of the American Bar Association and the State Bar of Georgia.

He serves on the board of directors of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and Make-A-Wish® Georgia.

Experience

  • The Aaron's Company agrees to be acquired by IQVenturesJones Day advised The Aaron's Company, Inc. in the acquisition and take private of Aaron’s by IQVentures Holdings, LLC, a leading fintech organization, for $10.10 per share in cash, or an enterprise value of approximately $504 million.
  • Innventure enters agreement with Learn CWJones Day advised Innventure LLC in its business combination with Learn CW Investment Corporation, a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company (NYSE: “LCW”) sponsored by CWAM LC Sponsor LLC, an affiliate of Learn Capital and Commonwealth Asset Management.
  • HanesBrands sells Champion business to Authentic Brand Group for $1.2 billionJones Day provided corporate governance, financing, and executive compensation advice to HanesBrands regarding the sale of the intellectual property and certain operating assets of the Company's global Champion business to Authentic Brands Group for $1.2 billion.
  • Bunge Limited Finance completes $2 billion public offering of Senior NotesJones Day represented Bunge Limited Finance Corp. ("BLFC") in connection with a public offering of $2 billion of Senior Notes, consisting of $400 million aggregate principal amount of 4.100% Senior Notes due 2028, $800 million aggregate principal amount of 4.200% Senior Notes due 2029, and $800 million aggregate principal amount of 4.650% Senior Notes due 2034.
  • PureCycle Technologies issues shares of Preferred Stock, Common Stock, and WarrantsJones Day represented PureCycle Technologies, Inc. in connection with the establishment, issuance, and sale of 50,000 shares Series A Preferred Stock, which shares mature in three years and bear interest, payable quarterly in cash or in-kind, at 8%, with an initial issuance price of $1,000 per share, and the sale of 8,528,786 shares of Common Stock and 5,000,000 Series C Warrants to purchase Common Stock, all for an aggregate purchase price of $90 million.
  • Roper Technologies completes $2 billion public offering of Senior NotesJones Day represented Roper Technologies, Inc. in connection with its $2 billion public offering of Senior Notes, consisting of $500 million of 4.500% Senior Notes due 2029, $500 million of 4.750% Senior Notes due 2032, and $1 billion of 4.900% Senior Notes due 2034.
  • Roper Technologies acquires Transact CampusJones Day advised Roper Technologies, Inc. in the $1.6 billion acquisition of Transact Campus, Inc., an award-winning provider of innovative campus technology and payment solutions, offering a comprehensive suite of services, including campus ID software and secure access, tuition and fees software and payment processing, as well as point-of-sale campus commerce solutions, from Reverence Capital Partners.
  • Vintage Wine Estates enters Chapter 11 with plans to sell substantially all assetsJones Day is representing Vintage Wine Estates, Inc. and 11 of its direct and indirect subsidiaries (collectively, the "Debtors") in their chapter 11 cases pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the Chapter 11 Cases").
  • Nutrien completes $1 billion public offering of Senior NotesJones Day represented Nutrien Ltd. in connection with a public offering of $1 billion of Senior Notes, consisting of (i) $400 million aggregate principal amount of 5.200% Senior Notes due 2027 and (ii) $600 million aggregate principal amount of 5.400% Senior Notes due 2034.
  • Corpay acquires GPS Capital MarketsJones Day advised Corpay, Inc. in the acquisition of GPS Capital Markets, LLC and its subsidiaries, a group that provides business-to-business cross-border and treasury management solutions, in Corpay’s third largest deal ever.
  • VSE Corporation completes $150 million public offering of Common StockJones Day represented VSE Corporation (NASDAQ: VSEC) in connection with an underwritten public offering of 2,112,676 shares of VSE's Common Stock at a price of $71.00 per share (before underwriting discounts and commissions).
  • VSE Corporation acquires Turbine Controls, Inc.Jones Day advised VSE Corporation in the $120 million acquisition of Turbine Controls, Inc., a provider of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) support services for complex engine components, as well as engine and airframe accessories, across commercial and military applications.
  • PHINIA Inc. completes $525 million Senior Secured Notes offering and amends credit agreementJones Day represented PHINIA Inc. in connection with (i) a Rule 144A and Regulation S offering of $525 million aggregate principal amount of 6.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 and (ii) an amendment to the credit agreement that governs the company's existing credit facilities to modify certain covenants, remove the mandatory prepayment provision based on quarterly and annual operating cash flow calculations, and increase the required total net leverage ratio under the company's financial covenant.
  • Newell Brands amends $1 billion revolving credit facilityJones Day represented Newell Brands Inc. (“Newell”), a leading consumer products company, in connection with the amendment restructuring its existing revolving credit facility.
  • BioMarin announces governance enhancements and value creation initiativesJones Day advised the Board of Directors of BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. ("BioMarin") in connection with its entry into a Cooperation Agreement and an Information Sharing Agreement with activist shareholder Elliott Management.
  • Asbury Automotive Group acquires Jim Koons AutomotiveJones Day advised Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: ABG), one of the largest automotive retail and service companies in the U.S., in its acquisition of Jim Koons Automotive Group of Companies for approximately $1.2 billion in cash.
  • Asbury Automotive amends and restates its $2.8 billion floorplan credit facilityJones Day represented Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (together with certain of its subsidiaries), one of the largest automotive retail and service companies in the U.S., in connection with the amendment and restatement of its credit facility, providing for an increase in the aggregate commitments to $2.8 billion, consisting of a $1.925 billion new vehicle floorplan facility, a $375 million used vehicle floorplan facility, and a $500 million revolving credit facility.
  • HanesBrands Appoints Three New Independent DirectorsJones Day is advising Hanesbrands, an American multinational clothing company, on activism triggered by public letter from activist shareholder Barington Capital, including the potential disposition of the Champion business. Hanesbrands recently announced its settlement with Barington, involving the appointment of three new independent directors and a consulting agreement between the company and Barington.
  • PureCycle Technologies completes $250 million Green Convertible Senior Notes offeringJones Day represented PureCycle Technologies, Inc., in connection with a Rule 144A offering of $250 million aggregate principal amount of 7.25% Green Convertible Senior Notes due 2030.
  • VSE Corporation completes $120 million public offering of Common StockJones Day represented VSE Corporation (NASDAQ: VSEC) in connection with an underwritten public offering of 2,475,000 shares of VSE's Common Stock at a price of $48.50 per share.
  • Additional 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