Joe R. Thompson is a corporate and transactional attorney who has handled more than 200 acquisitions and divestitures in his 25 years of practice. His matters center on the agribusiness, food and beverage, and renewable energy industries. Over his career, he has handled more than 100 capital raises, including private equity and venture capital financings; negotiated more than 5,000 domestic and cross-border commercial matters; and advised the boards of more than 100 startups.
Joe’s recent notable work matters include leading cross-border commercial transactions and international corporate governance matters for a Forbes 100 global agribusiness supply-chain provider, advising a more than $150+ million pet food facility in its construction and business matters, and advising in the development and financing of an independent technology company in the dry bulk freight truck industry. He joined Ballard Spahr from The Scoular Company.
Experience
Representative Matters
- Advised seller, a diversified commodity-processing company and one of North America’s largest ethanol producers, in its $350 million stock sale of a wholly owned subsidiary
- Led $20 million recapitalization for a fresh produce supply chain, logistics, and marketing company, with investment from a Minneapolis-based private equity firm
- Represented geofencing company on $70 million investment by a private equity firm, managing pre-closing restructuring, executive transition and retention, and investment terms/negotiation and documentation
Credentials
Education
Harvard Law School Executive Education (Certificate in Leadership in Corporate Counsel, 2021)
University of Iowa College of Law (J.D. with distinction 1998)
Journal of Corporation Law
Iowa State University (B.S. with distinction 1993)
Admissions
Iowa
Minnesota
Missouri