Robert M. Hayward, P.C.
Overview
Bob Hayward – named a “Notable Gen X Leader” by Crain’s Chicago Business in 2021 and a “Trailblazer in the Midwest” by The American Lawyer in 2022 -- helps lead the team that has been awarded “Capital Markets Practice Group of the Year” numerous times by Law 360.
Bob provides direct, thoughtful and practical advice to publicly-traded corporations — across all industries — and private equity funds and their portfolio companies in all aspects of securities, M&A, spin-offs, SEC compliance/ disclosure, corporate governance, stockholder activism, executive compensation, crisis management and general corporate matters. He has extensive experience representing companies in IPOs, high-yield and investment grade debt offerings, private financings, joint ventures and public and private M&A transactions.
Some of the publicly-traded corporations that Bob regularly advises include: The Boeing Company, Deere & Co., Kellanova, Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM), WK Kellogg, Cushman & Wakefield, Ryan Specialty Group, PowerSchool, JAMF Software, R1 RCM, Inc., Whirlpool Corporation, Sylvamo Corp., Victoria’s Secret, Wynn Resorts, Carvana Co., Maravai LifeSciences, Express, Inc., U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc., Innovage, Integrated Ad Science and Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc. After representing Kellogg Company for over 20 years, Bob led its separation into two independent, publicly traded companies — Kellanova and WK Kellogg Co.
- “IPO Lawyer of the Year in Illinois” by Global Law Experts in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023
- One of the most active Capital Markets lawyers world-wide, according to Deal Point Data’s list of the 20 most active lawyers (2020–2021), and the only Midwest-based lawyer on the list
- Led the largest non-M&A corporate bond offering of all time (and sixth largest overall) and second largest healthcare IPO (and sixth largest overall), and the largest IPOs ever at that time in Minnesota and Arizona
- Named to The Directorship 100 by the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) for his influence and leadership in the boardroom (2011 and 2012)
- “Notable Leader in Sustainability” by Crain’s Chicago Business in 2022
- Recognized as one of the leading public company corporate lawyers under the age of 40 (Law360’s “Rising Star” 2010)
- Listed annually in Best Lawyers in America (Securities; Capital Markets; and Securities Regulation), The Legal 500 U.S. for Capital Markets, “Who’s Who Legal 100” by The International Who’s Who of Capital Markets Lawyers, and a “Leading Lawyer” in the areas of corporate finance, M&A, publicly held corporations and securities & venture finance by the Leading Lawyers Network