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Jonathon Whittlesey
Partner
Jonathon Whittlesey is the US lead of our Chemicals Group and is a partner in our Cleveland office. He advises public and privately held entities, as well as boards of directors and individuals, on a wide array of transactional matters, including mergers, acquisitions and dispositions (domestic and international), securities and corporate finance transactions, corporate governance, private equity and general business matters. He has extensive experience leading and coordinating complex international transactions across many jurisdictions.
Jonathan is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for his expertise in Corporate Governance Law and International Mergers & Acquisitions Law. Additionally, he is recognized as a Next Generation Leading Lawyer by The Legal 500 and in Ohio Super Lawyers – Rising Stars, a distinction that recognizes lawyers under the age of 40 or those in practice for 10 years or less.
Jonathon has represented companies across a broad spectrum of industries, including chemicals, oil and gas, technology, manufacturing, banking and government contracting.
Jonathon is a member of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission Associate Board, an organization whose mission is to enhance the economy, image and quality of life in the Greater Cleveland area by attracting and creating significant sporting events and activities.
- Representing Ashland in its divestiture of its performance adhesives business to Arkema for US$1.65 billion and involving operations in more than 15 countries.
- Representing Synthomer in its acquisition of Eastman’s Adhesives Resins business for US$1 billion and involving operations in six countries.
- Representing Ashland in its divestiture of its composites business and BDO manufacturing facility in Marl, Germany, to INEOS Enterprises for US$1.1 billion and involving operations in more than 20 countries.
- Representing Valvoline in its various acquisitions of quick lube stores.
- Representing Acumen Solutions in connection with the sale of its outstanding stock to Salesforce.
- Representing Momentive Performance Materials Inc. in connection with the sale of its consumer sealants business to Henkel Corporation.
- Representing Ashland in its divestiture of its water technologies business to a fund managed by Clayton, Dublier & Rice for US$1.8 billion and involving operations in more than 40 countries.
- Advising Olin on international legal matters and integration in connection with its US$5 billion acquisition of Dow Chemical’s Chlorine Products Division.
- Representing Ashland in its public spin-off of Valvoline, including the separation of the businesses in more than 25 countries.
- Co-serving as lead corporate counsel to a publicly traded Fortune 500 company in connection with the reorganization of its global subsidiaries in the US, Asia, Latin America and Europe.
- Serving as deputy lead international counsel for a publicly traded chemical company with operations in more than 20 countries.
- Representing Park-Ohio in its acquisition of a closed-die forging business.
- Representing a family office in connection with its purchase of an e-commerce marketing business and several additional bolt-on transactions.
- Representing a publicly traded company on a series of acquisitions for various specialty chemical businesses in the US.
- Representing a US publicly traded Fortune 200 company in its divestiture of a line of businesses with operations located in the US and Europe.
- Representing a publicly traded chemical company in its disposition of a line of business, which included a plant in Germany, pursuant to a New York law-governed purchase agreement.
- Representing a Spanish publicly traded company in its divestiture of a line of business with operations located in Brazil to a US publicly traded company.
- Representing a publicly traded Canadian oil and gas company in a series of acquisitions and divestitures in excess of US$125 million.
- Representing a UK company on its initial acquisition and start-up of operations in the US.
- Representing the founder on the formation of a private equity-backed Delaware LLC in the oil and gas industry and the LLC in its initial stock purchase acquisition.
- Representing various publicly traded companies in connection with their global corporate entity restructuring projects.
- Co-serving as primary outside counsel for corporate governance matters to a number of publicly traded companies.
- Advising publicly held companies in various industries on their annual compliance with US securities laws, including proxy disclosure.
- Representing various private entities and individuals in sales and acquisitions of lines of business.
Education
- The University of Akron, J.D., cum laude, executive editor, University of Akron Law Review, 2008
- The College of William & Mary, B.A., 2005
Admissions
- Ohio, 2008
Memberships & Affiliations
- Member of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission Associate Board, an organization whose mission is to enhance the economy, image and quality of life in the Greater Cleveland area by attracting and creating significant sporting events and activities.