Banking & Finance: Ohio

THE FIRM Jones Day continues to be recognized as one of the preeminent firms in the Ohio banking arena. Playing a key part in the firm's wider, internationally recognized practice, the team acts for both borrowers and lenders in lending transactions, real estate finance, mezzanine finance and subordinated debt, and regularly handles some of the largest transactions in the region. Recent highlights include advising Cliffs Natural Resources on a $4 billion financing for its acquisition of Consolidated Thompson Iron Mines. Other institutional lending clients include Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo and Jefferies Finance.

Sources say: "They understand the industry and they give a great work product."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Banking and finance practice group co-head Brett Barragate advises financial institutions on all types of commercial lending transactions, including senior and second-lien debt facilities. Sources praise him as being "very professional, easy to work with, very experienced, a good negotiator and an attorney who understands the issues and brings good solutions." He is based in New York, but remains one of the Ohio sector's leading practitioners.

Rachel Rawson's broad finance practice has seen her advise both borrowers and lenders on a range of matters, including leveraged buyout financings, and private and subordinated debt placements. Sources describe her as "the creme de la creme in Cleveland."

The "responsive and direct" Martin Gates handles secured and unsecured financings on behalf of lenders and borrowers.

THE FIRM Squire Sanders' banking and finance group moves into the top tier having received widespread acclaim from market observers. The firm has a particularly strong reputation in syndicated and asset-based lending and leveraged capital finance. The team represents a number of major financial institutions, including Bank of America, Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase. Its teams in Ohio benefit from the firm's far-reaching international network of resources.

Sources say: "The group is effective and efficient, and on top of market trends."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Guy Guinn cochairs the firm's global banking and finance group, and is one of the acknowledged leaders in the field. His practice covers all forms of debt financing, but he is perhaps most highly regarded for his asset-based financing work. According to sources, he is “very knowledgeable, very practical and great to work with.” He recently represented US Bank National Association in the structuring of collateral agent arrangements and collateral packages for holders of $800 million debt and private note placements.

Osborne Mills is also regarded as preeminent in the Ohio banking sector, and is trusted by clients of the caliber of KeyBank National Association and US Bank. "His legal knowledge is great,” say interviewees. Mills's recent highlights include advising KeyBank National Association on a $200 million syndicated revolving credit facility.

THE FIRM This firm's 21-strong banking and finance team represents borrowers and lenders in a broad range of transaction types, including asset-based lending and subordinated and mezzanine debt issues. Active clients include KeyBank National Association, Jo-Ann Stores and AmTrust Financial Services. The firm's offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Dayton ensure a fine coverage of the state's primary business communities.

Sources say: “The firm as a whole is fantastic." "Good at commercial awareness and good at communicating with clients."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Leslee Miraldi focuses primarily on representing lenders, handling syndicated and single bank transactions. Sources describe her as "easy to work with and technically one of the best."

Eduardo Kim works closely with Miraldi and is “very practical and able to cut right down to the meat of the matter,” say sources. He is particularly recommended for his commercial lending experience on behalf of banks and other major financial institutions.

Adam Nazette enters the tables as one of the sector's rising stars after receiving several positive reviews, with one source describing him as "very detail-oriented."

THE FIRM This firm has impressed market observers with a series of notable representations for high-profile lenders such as PNC Bank and JPMorgan Chase, while on the borrower side it has advised RPM International and FirstEnergy. The ten-partner team is spread across the firm's offices in Cleveland and Columbus.

Sources say: "The team ensures we get the highest quality service on our matters." "They have performed flawlessly."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "terrific" Thomas Cicarella chairs the firm's commercial business and finance group, and is hugely well regarded for his borrower-oriented practice and his work involving the private equity space. Sources say "he is super-easy to work with."

Karl Beus is “easy to get along with and very pragmatic,” say interviewees. He advises financial institutions on a broad range of financings and transactions.

THE FIRM This firm is highly regarded in the Ohio banking community and receives warm praise for its midmarket finance practice. The team routinely represents both lenders and borrowers in a wide range of financings, including asset-based lending and syndicated loan transactions. Representative clients include RBS Citizens and Corporate One Federal Credit Union.

Sources say: "They are very client service-oriented, with superior commercial awareness."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Timothy Grady chairs the firm's banking and finance practice group, focusing on representing borrowers and lenders in a broad array of financings. According to sources, he is “technically very capable and very detail-oriented.”

The up-and-coming Andrew Bojko concentrates on loan financing work. He “has very strong technical skills, and always makes the client aware of the issues,” say sources.

THE FIRM Benesch's lean but effective team of finance lawyers represents banks and financial institutions in small and midmarket financing transactions. Key clients have included PNC Bank, Huntington National Bank, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo. The group recently represented a tire distributor in a $120 million syndicated senior credit facility and a $40 million subordinated debt facility. 

Sources say: “They are very client service-oriented and clearly explain the rationale for their recommendations.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Ross Kirchick chairs the firm's commercial banking and finance group, and is described as "a superior, savvy attorney."  

THE FIRM The Frost Brown Todd lending and commercial services team advises lenders and borrowers from its offices in Cincinnati and Columbus. The group undertakes all manner of financial transactions, including real estate-related matters, and recently advised PNC Bank on a $40 million construction loan for the redevelopment of the Cincinnati riverfront. 

Sources say: “The firm provides efficient operations and honest disclosure about legal risk.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jeffery Rush advises financial institutions on commercial financings, syndicated loans and construction lending. He has a “good ability to get a deal done, and is practical, knowledgeable and responsive,” say sources.

Kimberly Mauer advises financial institutions on commercial real estate financing and banking law as part of her broad business practice. Sources say she is "a great problem solver who doesn't try to obfuscate." 

THE FIRM This firm focuses on midmarket lending work for clients such as The Huntington National Bank, JPMorgan Chase and Fifth Third Bank. The banking and commercial finance team is spread between the firm's offices in Columbus, Cleveland and Marion.

Sources say: "A responsive, transparent midmarket firm."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Allen Handlan heads the firm's banking and commercial lending practice. He is “good to work with” and is well respected by those who know him. His practice encompasses M&A, financing and real estate-related work.

THE FIRM The McDonald Hopkins commercial finance team counsels senior lenders on a variety of transactions, including making the transition from midmarket to asset-based loans. The team is primarily active in the Cleveland area, and is also noted for its expertise in real estate financing.

Sources say: "A well-respected practice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS James Stief is the practice group chair.

THE FIRM This firm's sizable business and finance group counsels private and public sector clients on a range of financing and business law issues. Clients have included the Federal Home Loan bank of Cincinnati and Duke Energy.  

Sources say: "The firm has a lot of experience in corporate banking."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jeffrey Schloemer cochairs the firm's business and finance team. His key clients have included Chiquita Brands, and sources confirm that he is “a smart guy who is responsive, thoughtful and knowledgeable.”

THE FIRM This firm has a solid presence in Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland, and advises financial institutions on mezzanine, acquisition and real estate financing, among other matters. The firm also advises private and public borrowers on a range of matters, including syndicated credit facilities. 

Sources say: "The lawyers are very bright and well versed in their field of practice. They make client service a priority."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Melvin Bedree is “as good as it gets when it comes to asset-based lending,” say sources. His practice also covers structured finance and loan restructuring. 

Hani Kallas represents financial institutions in loan transactions and workouts, and is praised as being “knowledgeable, sophisticated, and there to get the deal done.”