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 Ed is a recognized leader in Real Estate law and Real Estate finance. Ed counsels large and small business clients, lenders and individuals with structuring and executing all of their real estate and related financial transactions — whether a lease, acquisition, oil & gas, zoning, development, or financing —— Ed also has significant experience in advising company leadership on a wide variety of business transactions and related agreements and then assembling the necessary firm expertise to best represent the client’s needs on a case by case basis. ——-Ed sees most areas of business law as closely interrelated and to be effective, a good business attorney needs to ask the right questions on the front end for early identification of the issues and areas of law involved and then map out strategic alternatives for the client. ——–This is really what clients want from their outside counsel——-to be presented with an array of relevant options and a suggested path forward. This is what Ed enjoys and tries to accomplish for his clients.
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Representative Work

  • Railroad Law
    • One of Ed’s larger clients is a railroad company, and he is knowledgeable and experienced in the multitude of railroad real estate matters that apply to operating a railroad business including litigation, dispute resolution and transactional agreements including leases, licenses, and purchase & sale agreements.
  • Real Estate:
    • Negotiates matters relating to commercial properties, including leases, acquisitions, sales and development. Experience with complex Dispute Resolution and obtaining Temporary Restraining Orders and Injunctive relief when warranted.
    • Experience in representing State Universities with their real estate needs, including Eminent Domain and structuring alternative public/private partnership models for Student Residence Facilities.
    • Experience representing local financial institutions with their real estate lending and loan restructuring needs.  Facilitates workouts and if necessary, in obtaining judgment liens, receiverships and in taking related strategic steps to secure collateral. 
  • Estate Planning: Involved with Succession Planning and Estate Planning strategies for families and individuals.
  • Oil & Gas: Provides counsel to operators and landowners involving negotiation of Oil and Gas Leases and Pipeline Right of Ways. 
  • Businesses: Provides counsel on corporate business matters including sales, acquisitions, corporate financing, formation, and joint venture arrangements.

Education

  • Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Michigan, B.A., 1987
  • The University of Akron, College of Business Administration, M.B.A., 1992
  • The University of Akron School of Law, J.D., 1992

Courts and Bar Associations

  • Member:  Ohio State Bar Association
  • Member:  Akron Bar Association; Past Chair:  Technology Committee

Professional and Community Affiliations

  • Past Board Chair: Child Guidance & Family Solutions
  • Past Board Chair: Akron Area YMCA Endowment Foundation
  • Past Board Member: The Loyola Retreat House
  • Past Board Secretary: Cascade Capital

Honors and Awards

  • AV® Preeminent Rated Attorney by Martindale Hubbell
  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America® (2007 to present)
  • Listed in Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” Akron Real Estate Law (2020, 2018, 2016, 2013)
  • Listed in Ohio Super Lawyers®
  • Maintains a “Superb” Rating Avvo

Notable Presentations or Publications

  • Real Estate Development Process – Planning & Zoning Aspects” 
  • “Ground Leases”
  • “Using Letters of Intent”
  • “Successful Real Estate Closings”
  • “Cellular Tower Leases:  Landlord Terms and Negotiation Tips”
  • “Commercial Lease Negotiating Lessons:  Adding Value$$”
  • “What’s Lending Got To Do With It? Commercial Lending Outlook”
  • “Strategies for Acquiring Commercial Distressed Properties and Avoiding Common Pitfalls”