Blake R. Gerney
Member
With over 30 years of legal experience, Blake's practice focuses on commercial real estate, land use, construction law and business and corporate law, including development, zoning, construction documents, mechanics' lien law, commercial leasing, purchase and sale transactions, finance and loan documentation. He also advises small and medium-sized businesses on a multitude of issues, such as mergers and acquisitions, business formations, regulatory compliance, employment and non-competition issues, corporate and limited liability company governance, asset protection and litigation.
Contact Information
75 East Market Street, Akron, Ohio 44308Practice Areas
Education
The University of Akron School of Law, J.D.
Texas A&M University, B.S.
Overview
Blake is one of only 15 Ohio State Bar Association Certified Specialists in Business, Commercial and Industrial Real Property Law, and the only Certified Specialist in Ohio in Summit, Stark, Medina and Portage counties.
He is a frequent speaker and lecturer for a variety of real estate professional groups in Northeast Ohio, including real estate agents, brokers and title agents on topics such as title issues, landlord-tenant issues, agency matters, commercial and residential purchase and sale transactions, mechanics' lien law, zoning and development issues.
Blake is licensed to practice law in both Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Professional Honors & Awards
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law (2024-2026)
- Ohio State Bar Association Certified Specialist | Business, Commercial and Industrial Real Property Law
- Member, Leadership Akron, Class 23
Courts & Bar Associations
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
- The Akron Bar Association, Member
- Former Member of Board of Directors
- Finance Committee Member
- Ohio State Bar Association, Member
- Former Member of Real Property Specialization Board
- Akron Bar Foundation, Board Member
Professional & Civic Affiliations
- Akron Cleveland Association of Realtors, Member
- Weaver Industries, Board Chairman
- Akron Rotary, Member
- The University of Akron School of Law Advancement Council, Member
- The University of Akron School of Law Alumni Association, Board Member; Former President
- Wadsworth Chamber of Commerce, Member; Former President and Board Member
- Sharon Township, Ohio Zoning Commission, Member
- Junior Achievement of Northeast Ohio, Former Board Member
- United Way of Medina County, Former Board Member
- Leadership Akron, Former Ambassador
- Akron Encounter Subcommittee, Former Member
- Association of General Contractors, Akron Division, Former Member
Presentations & Publications
- "FinCEN Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule Now in Effect," (March 6, 2026)
- "Corporate Transparency Act Overhauled: U.S. Entities No Longer Required to Report," (March 24, 2025)
- "Corporate Transparency Act to be Re-evaluated," (February 28, 2025)
- "Corporate Transparency Act Effective Again," (February 20, 2025)
- "Corporate Transparency Act Ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court," (January 24, 2025)
- "I Went to Bed and the Rules Changed: the Corporate Transparency Act is Back on Hold," (December 27, 2024)
- "Corporate Transparency Act Is Back in Effect: Are You Ready?" (December 26, 2024)
- "Hurry Up, STOP. . .Has CTA Been Struck Down By Courts?" (December 5, 2024)
- "Corporate Transparency Act: Business Owners Must Act Now," (July 10, 2024)
- "Corporate Transparency Act Update 3/14/24," (March 14, 2024)
- "Corporate Transparency Act Update," (December 27, 2023)
- New Small Business Reporting Rule, (Webinar, December 2023)
- Real Estate Brokers and the Unauthorized Practice of Law, Continuing Legal Education Course sanctioned by the Ohio Board of Realtors, Akron, Ohio
- Oil & Gas Law Review for the Real Estate Professional, Lake County Board of Realtors, Mentor, Ohio
- CORE Law: Zoning and Land Use Law for the Commercial Realtor, Akron Area Board of Realtors, Akron, Ohio
- Trust, Deeds and Title Issues, Cleveland, Ohio