Anthony J. Cox

Tony’s corporate and M&A practice focuses on counseling public and privately owned companies with respect to transactional matters, including mergers and acquisitions and a wide range of general corporate and business matters such as commercial contracts.

The private equity funds with which Tony has worked include Align Capital Partners, Linsalata Capital Partners and Watervale Equity Partners. Tony has also worked on a variety of mergers and acquisitions transactions and corporate governance matters with public companies such as Installed Building Products Inc. and RPM International Inc.

He was previously an Associate with a Cleveland-area law firm before joining Calfee in 2019.

Tony earned his J.D. in 2013 from Cleveland State University College of Law, where he served as editor-in-chief of the Cleveland State Law Review. He earned his B.A., magna cum laude, from Kent State University in 2006.

Honors & Recognitions

• Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Corporate Governance and Compliance Law (2021-2025)
• Awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Army Commendation Medal during his service with the United States Army

Education

J.D., Cleveland State University College of Law, 2013

B.A., magna cum laude, Kent State University, 2006

Experience

• Calfee represented an aviation company client in connection with its 2023 acquisition of a leading equipment manufacturing supplier to the aviation industry.
• Calfee served as exclusive counsel to an East Coast manufacturer and global supplier in its 2023 acquisition of substantially all of the assets of a privately held manufacturer located in the Western U.S.
• Calfee led a 2023 transaction for an Ohio manufacturer and distributor whose parent company is a publicly traded Asia-based company, in its disposition of the equity of a subsidiary to a strategic buyer.
• Calfee served as exclusive legal counsel to a national marketing agency and counsel to a Midwestern U.S. private equity firm in the 2023 acquisition of all of the equity interests of the marketing agency.
• Calfee is serving as exclusive counsel to a publicly traded multi-billion-dollar multinational holding company in its 2023 acquisition of all intellectual property of a Southwestern U.S.-based manufacturer.
• Calfee is serving as exclusive counsel to a publicly traded multi-billion-dollar multinational holding company in its 2023 sale of all of the equity interests of a provider of extended warranty programs and services. This sale allowed the client company to realize value from the divestiture of a non-core asset of its business.
• Calfee represented Align Capital Partners and its affiliates in several transactions, including:
  • The acquisition of the assets of Southwest Elevators, a leading national independent provider of vertical transportation repair, maintenance, modernization and new construction services
  • The acquisition of Marco Rubber & Plastics, a specialty distributor of elastomer components
• Calfee represented Watervale Equity Partners in the acquisition of the equity of Duke Manufacturing, a leading manufacturer of precision-machined components and assemblies used predominately by the aerospace and defense sector
• Calfee represented RPM International Inc. (NYSE: RPM) and its affiliates in numerous acquisitions, including the purchase of the stock of Logiball Inc., a leading manufacturer of trenchless pipe rehabilitation equipment
• Calfee represented Installed Building Products (NYSE: IBP) and its affiliates in several acquisitions, including:
  • Purchase of the North Charleston, SC and Pooler, GA branches of Energy One America, LLC, a leading supplier of spray foam, fiberglass, and air barrier insulation services
  • Purchase of the assets of Expert Insulation, Inc. and Expert Insulation of Brainerd, Inc., a leading supplier of insulation services in the upper Midwest
  • Acquisition of Premiere Building Supply, LLC, a leading provider of insulation and garage door installation services in Utah
• Calfee represented Linsalata Capital Partners and its affiliates in the sale of Signature Systems Group, a manufacturer and distributor of industrial matting and specialty flooring systems

Professional & Community

• St. Joseph Catholic Church, Avon Lake, Parish Council

Military Service

Prior to law school, Tony served four years on active duty with the United States Army, including two combat deployments as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. He obtained the rank of Captain and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Tony later served as an officer in the Ohio Army National Guard.