Expert Witness & Financial Advisor

In 2025, Michael Locker, President of Locker Associates served as an expert witness, retained by Kirkland & Ellis, for a U.S. steel producer in an arbitration case.

Served as expert witness and advisor to Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel on world steel prices and production costs for its trade case against Japanese and Russian steel firms

Appointed as Chief Restructuring Officer in the bankruptcy proceeding of J&L Structural

Served on the Board of Directors of Special Metals during its restructuring and sale

Financial analyst and business consultant to USW on US Canadian steel companies, including operating improvement, market studies, restructuring, M& A and joint labor-management improvement programs.

Panelist presentation on “Union Management Cooperation in the 21st Century” before 800 attendees at the annual steel conference sponsored by World Steel Dynamics and American Metal Market

Retained as an expert witness by a potential buyer of Gulf States Steel during liquidation process.

Advised the Liberian government in its iron ore negotiations with ArcelorMittal Steel; helped to obtain a $100 million improvement in contract value

Served on the Board of Directors of Special Metals during its restructuring and sale

Prepared sale offering memorandum of Massillon Steel for potential buyers in conjunction with union, management and government officials

Advised USW Locals on Stelco’s restructuring efforts and contract negotiations in Canada, including operating improvements, capital plans, cost reductions and transaction due-diligence

Financial advisor to independent union in the sale of Weirton Steel by Mittal Steel, working with buyers and other stakeholders on transaction and financial issues, review of financial data and business strategy, identifying financing sources and management candidates

Prepared sale offering memorandum for GalvPro in conjunction with a team of financial and engineering experts and identified potential buyers for a successful sale of the company

Presented status report to the UAW Steel Council composed of local union representatives from various steel plants in the Midwest

Prepared a detailed study on the major trends in the world metallurgical coal market for a large metallurgical coal producer

Retained by Warren Consolidated Industries (WCI) and the USW in a joint effort to analyze company’s business plan and restructuring strategy

Review of Lasco Steel/Canada’s major operating problems; supported by management and included recommendations for improvement