Austin L. Goodnight

With a practical and business-oriented approach, Austin helps clients execute transactions efficiently while protecting value and managing risk. He works closely with business owners, executives and investors to develop solutions that align legal strategy with commercial objectives, keeping outcomes front of mind.

Austin has extensive experience leading mergers and acquisitions across a broad range of industries, advising on transactions of varying size and structure with an aggregate value exceeding $3 billion. He is adept at managing all phases of the deal lifecycle, from structuring and due diligence through negotiation and closing, while coordinating across stakeholders to keep transactions on track.

Beyond M&A, Austin serves as a trusted advisor on day-to-day corporate matters with a practice that spans the full corporate lifecycle. He counsels clients on business formation and entity structuring, preparation and negotiation of governing documents, ongoing corporate governance and compliance matters and a wide range of other corporate transactions.

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
• $92 million sale of a digital marketing and PR 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
• $30 million acquisition of a garage door installation and repair franchisee
• $27 million acquisition of a data analytics and fundraising company
• $26 million acquisition of an LED video board company
• $25 million sale of an auto repair shop 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
• $16 million sale of an education software 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
• Assisted an agricultural joint venture in corporate dissolution

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

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

• Great Plains Super Lawyers Rising Star, Mergers & Acquisitions, 2024-2026
• Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Corporate Governance and Compliance Law, 2023-2026; Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2024-2026; Corporate Law, 2026
• Order of the Coif

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