Overview

As outside general counsel, Bob has advised corporate clients on entity structure, mergers and acquisitions, and financing strategies, including borrowing, angel and venture capital investment, and other private and public securities matters. He also provides counsel on handling transactions, contracts, agreements, corporate compliance, and contract negotiations and drafting. His experience extends to the negotiation and compliance with terms of bond indentures, term loan agreements, and revolving credit agreements, as well as other corporate legal matters.

Bob's international experience includes helping clients establish overseas offices and manufacturing facilities; negotiating import and export sales, distribution, and manufacturing agreements; and securing financing for overseas operations from international development organizations, the United States government, and local sources. He has represented corporate clients in transactions in over 25 countries worldwide.

Bob's began his career in public accounting with the "Big 8" firm of Arthur Young. He then moved to a mid-size, Cleveland-based law firm, where he gained experience in many corporate and tax law issues. As he gained exposure to management at various clients, Bob learned the value of being a trusted corporate advisor, not just a good lawyer.

After the enactment of the revised Internal Revenue Code in 1986, Bob's firm sent him to Georgetown to earn an advanced degree in taxation. With this added tax knowledge complementing his developing corporate practice, his client base grew.

In 1991, Bob founded his own firm with a goal of creating a corporate boutique. The firm quickly grew to 20 lawyers and was recognized as one of Cleveland's best public securities and corporate practices, winning numerous awards. As his partners retired from the practice of law, Bob moved his practice to a mid-size firm, eventually joining Brennan, Manna & Diamond to access the corporate resources and expertise he needed to continue serving his clients effectively. 

Representative Matters

• Negotiated and managed various types of transactions including joint ventures and acquisitions in Japan, China, Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Netherlands, Germany, UK, Malta, Italy, Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Indonesia and Canada.
• Managed $170 million 144A for life bond offering for Advanced Lighting Technologies.
• Acted as lead counsel representing purchaser of Cree Lighting Italy SpA, Cree Lighting USA, LLC, Econolight, LLC, General Electric Lighting India (Limbasi) and General Electric Lighting Brazil.
• Negotiated supply agreements with CreeLED, General Electric, Philips, Osram Sylvania, Cree Lighting, Ruud Lighting.
• Negotiated and documented a joint venture with Sigma Aldrich which lasted over 10 years and then negotiated the breakup and "put" sale of client JV interest to Sigma Aldrich.
• Negotiated and documented purchase of Auer Lighting GmbH.
• Negotiated and documented sale of interest in ballast company to private equity purchaser on a "put" basis.
• Lead counsel on sale of Deposition Sciences, Inc. (a large Department of Defense contractor) to Lockheed Martin.
• Negotiated and documented various credit agreements and amendments to the same (facilities from $5 million to $200 million).
• Managed and maintained responsibility for annual, quarterly and current reporting for publicly traded clients.
• Acted as outside general counsel for many companies including Myers Industries, Advanced Lighting Technologies, Cree Lighting USA, Cree Lighting Italy, Venture Lighting UK, Remelt Sources, Inc., SolarX Eyewear, LLC, and APL Engineered Materials, LLC.

Courts & Bar Associations

• Illinois
• Ohio
• U.S. Tax Court
• Northern District of Ohio

Professional Honors & Awards

• The Best Lawyers in America® (2024-2025)

Presentations & Publications

• "M&A Considerations for the Next Recession," Crain's Cleveland Business (January 17, 2020)
• Preparing for the Wave of COVID-19 Litigation (Webinar, May 2020)
• Choice of Entity in International Business Transaction - An Overview (November 2019)