Justice. Stained Glass Window designed by Frederick Wilson and Charles Schweinfurth. Executed by Gotham Glass, NY. Cuyahoga County Courthouse, Cleveland, Ohio.
We are legal advisors to many private companies. We have the experience and ability to assist clients in structuring and completing their transactions in a timely manner with their strategic goals in mind all the while assessing and managing the associated legal risks.
We advise business owners on succession planning issues and options, including leveraged gifting, valuation discounting, shifting voting control and equity among active and non-active heirs, incentive compensation plans, stock transfer restrictions, buy-outs and methods to reduce estate taxes.
We also assist individuals in their dealings with companies. We frequently draft and review a wide variety of corporate compliance documents as well as corporate, employee, vendor, independent contractor, and distributor agreements of all kinds.
For organizations and families who desire to establish private foundations and/or public charities, our firm has provided guidance and assistance on matters ranging from the application process to yearly management and investment decisions.
We draft simple and complex wills, trusts, and power of attorney documents for individuals. We understand the needs of clients’ unique circumstances: special needs heirs, beneficiary designation, maximizing tax avoidance, achieving other specific asset protection and charitable giving goals.
We advise business owners on succession planning issues and options, including leveraged gifting, valuation discounting, shifting voting control and equity among active and non-active heirs, incentive compensation plans, stock transfer restrictions, buy-outs and methods to reduce estate taxes.
We assist executors in estate administration from the initial application for a tax identification number and death certificate to the final distribution to heirs. We carefully guide clients through the numerous mandatory filings in the probate process.
We have a wealth of experience in general real estate-related services including the negotiation of and document production for purchasing, selling and leasing commercial and residential real estate. We have also worked extensively on mortgages and other liens. In addition, we have considerable experience with land surveys, environmental audits and other due diligence related to all real property.
A lawyer without history or literature is a mechanic; if he possesses some knowledge of these, he may venture to call himself an architect."
- Walter Scott