Biography: Corporate Governance

Thomas A Cole is a partner in Sidley's Chicago office. He became a partner of the firm in 1981, a member of the firm's executive committee in 1987, and a member of its management committee in 1988. Since May 1998, he has served as chair of the firm's executive committee, the committee that exercises general authority over the affairs of the firm. While a partner in the firm, Mr Cole was also vice president-law of Northwest Industries, Inc from 1982-1985.

Mr Cole maintains a substantial practice in public company mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance, along with his firm management responsibilities. In 2001, Mr Cole was recognised by Chambers Global, the London-based publication, as one of 26 US lawyers included in its list of the Global 100 Lawyers – 'lawyers who stand out from their colleagues and are recognised internationally.' He was designated an 'M&A Dealmaker of the Year' for 2007 by The American Lawyer. He was selected to BTI Consulting's Client Service All-Stars team for 2008 and 2011. In 2010, he was among 19 lawyers named to The Directorship 100, the NACD's list of 'the most influential people in corporate governance and the boardroom'.

Mr Cole has been involved in dozens of public company mergers and spin-offs including the following, which were each valued at more than US$1 billion: Alberto Culver/Unilever (pending); AGL/Nicor (pending, represented independent directors); Aon/Hewitt; EOP/Blackstone; Clear Channel/THLee and Bain (represented special committee); Exelon/PSEG (terminated); Exelon/NRG (terminated unsolicited merger proposal); Pulte/Centex; Tribune/ESOP-Zell; Corn Products/Bunge (terminated); Nationwide Financial/Nationwide Mutual (represented special committee); ServiceMaster/Clayton Dubilier; CDW/Madison Dearborn; CNL Hotels/Morgan Stanley; Ventana Medical/Roche (began as hostile defence); Sally Beauty/Clayton Dubilier; Tellabs/AFC; Maverick Tube/Tenaris; IMC/Cargill; Williams/Barrett (including the successful defence against Shell); Kimberly-Clark/Scott Paper; Monsanto/DeKalb Genetics; Jefferson Smurfit/Stone Container; Interpublic Group/True North; Wolters Kluwer/CCH; Fred Meyer/QFC; Aon/Alexander & Alexander; IMC Global/Vigoro; Tribune/Renaissance Communications; Northwest Industries/Farley; and Ohio Mattress/Gibbons Green.

Corporate governance assignments have included advising public company boards, standing committees and special litigation, transactions and investigative committees.

For the five years ending in 1998, he taught the seminar on corporate governance at The University of Chicago Law School.

Mr Cole serves on the board of The University of Chicago and is chairman of the board of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare. He is director for World Sport Chicago and a fellow of the American Bar Foundation. He is former co-chair of Tulane Corporate Law Institute and former chair of Northwestern's Garrett Securities Law Institute. He is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago and its civic committee, the Economic Club of Chicago, the Law Club of Chicago and the American Law Institute. Mr Cole received his JD from the University of Chicago (with honours, Order of the Coif) and his AB from The Johns Hopkins University (with honours, Phi Beta Kappa).

Biography: Mergers and Acquisitions

Thomas A Cole is a partner in Sidley's Chicago office. He became a partner of the firm in 1981, a member of the firm's executive committee in 1987 and a member of its management committee in 1988. Since May 1998, he has served as chair of the firm's executive committee, the committee that exercises general authority over the affairs of the firm. While a partner in the firm, Mr Cole was also vice president-law of Northwest Industries, Inc from 1982 through 1985.

Mr Cole maintains a substantial practice in public company mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance, along with his firm management responsibilities. He has been involved in dozens of public company mergers and spin-offs including the following which were each valued at more than $1 billion: Alberto-Culver/Unilever (pending); AGL/Nicor (pending, represented independent directors); Aon/Hewitt; EOP/Blackstone; Clear Channel/THLee and Bain (represented special committee); Exelon/PSEG (terminated); Exelon/NRG (terminated unsolicited merger proposal); Pulte/Centex; Tribune/ESOP-Zell; Corn Products/Bunge (terminated); Nationwide Financial/Nationwide Mutual (represented special committee); ServiceMaster/Clayton Dubilier; CDW/Madison Dearborn; CNL Hotels/Morgan Stanley; Ventana Medical/Roche (began as hostile defense); Sally Beauty/Clayton Dubilier; Tellabs/AFC; Maverick Tube/Tenaris; IMC/Cargill; Williams/Barrett (including the successful defense against Shell); Kimberly-Clark/Scott Paper; Monsanto/DeKalb Genetics; Jefferson Smurfit/Stone Container; Interpublic Group/True North; Wolters Kluwer/CCH; Fred Meyer/QFC; Aon/Alexander & Alexander; IMC Global/Vigoro; Tribune/Renaissance Communications; Northwest Industries/Farley; and Ohio Mattress/Gibbons Green.

Corporate governance assignments have included advising public company boards, standing committees and special litigation, transactions and investigative committees. For the five years ended 1998, he taught the seminar on corporate governance at The University of Chicago Law School.

In 2001, Mr Cole was recognised by Chambers Global, the London-based publication, as one of 26 US lawyers included in its list of the Global 100 Lawyers – 'lawyers who stand out from their colleagues and are recognised internationally.' He was designated an M&A Dealmaker of the Year for 2007 by The American Lawyer. He was selected to BTI Consulting's Client Service All-Stars team for 2008. In 2010, he was among 19 lawyers named to The Directorship 100, the NACD's list of 'the most influential people in corporate governance and the boardroom'.

Mr Cole serves on the board of The University of Chicago and is chairman of the board of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare. He is director for World Sport Chicago and a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. He is former co-chair of Tulane Corporate Law Institute and former chair of Northwestern's Garrett Securities Law Institute. He is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago and its civic committee, the Economic Club of Chicago, the Law Club of Chicago and the American Law Institute. Mr Cole received his JD from the University of Chicago (with honours, Order of the Coif) and his AB from The Johns Hopkins University (with honours, Phi Beta Kappa).