Practice Strengths

Our securities lawyers counsel numerous public companies, ranging from FORTUNE 500 market leaders to microcap and middle market issuers, in fulfilling their responsibilities under the federal securities laws. We have a thorough understanding of the regulatory framework, including the SEC’s rapidly changing reporting requirements and the listing standards of the stock exchanges, and keep pace with the demands of increasingly active investors. In addition to helping clients comply with their Exchange Act periodic reporting obligations, we are experienced in helping public companies manage disclosure of difficult matters, such as restatements, internal and SEC investigations and adverse business developments. Our securities lawyers work together with our benefits lawyers to help companies structure benefits programs involving issuer securities, and we help them comply with the registration and offering issues associated with these programs.

We represent issuers and underwriters in equity offerings, including initial public offerings. Our public offering experience covers a variety of industries, including real estate, healthcare, retail, financial services, industrial and manufacturing, and sports and entertainment. We also assist our clients in a wide range of other capital market transactions, including offerings of rated and high yield debt, including Rule 144A offerings. Our lawyers are familiar with the SEC’s offering reform rules and we work with issuers as they implement new shelf registration statements and offering procedures.

We handle all legal matters relating to securities offerings for some of the world’s largest and most successful companies.

Recognition

• More than 20 lawyers listed in various business-related categories in the latest edition of The Best Lawyers in America.
• Designated in the latest edition of Chambers USA as being among the top corporate, bankruptcy, real estate and mergers and acquisitions firms in Ohio.
• Listed in the latest edition of Chambers USA as having a "highly regarded" New York mergers and acquisitions practice.
• Listed by Chambers USA as being among the top real estate firms in Texas.
• Recognized by Chambers USA as having a top mergers and acquisitions/private equity practice in Florida.
• Team members have served or moved into positions as senior managers and in-house counsel for market-leading companies. 

Securities Offerings and Reporting Experience:

• Counseled Developers Diversified Realty Corp in one of the first REIT IPOs, rolling up numerous partnerships and properties. As the company has grown from $300 million into a $10.8 billion (2008 total capitalization) real estate investment trust, we've represented it in connection with billions of dollars of securities offerings and debt financings, in addition to counseling the company on acquisitions, divestitures and corporate governance. 
• Handled the $120 million IPO of insurer ProCentury Corp., giving it enough capital from an insurance regulatory standpoint to keep its AM Best rating, continue growing and write more business.
• Handled a shelf registration and two underwritten, secondary public offerings totaling $120 million for Quanta Services, Inc., to help its largest stockholder, First Reserve, sell its position.
• Represent a multi-billion dollar portfolio company owned by Plus Fund that has an exclusive license to track the S&P Hedge Fund Index, helping it to form funds and partner with several major banks.