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Professional background
Biography image

JimBalthaser

Partnermoc.eniHnospmohT@resahtlaB.miJ
Columbus

O 614.469.3226

JimBalthaser

Partner

Focus Areas

Transactions

  • Represent founders/50% owners of a specialty manufacturing business in the $315 million+ sale of the business to a private equity fund.
  • Represent co-founder/co-owner of a privately-held business in acquisition of control interest from the other co-founder/co-owner
  • Represent founder in sale of highly successful privately-held enterprise to a competitor backed by a nationally known private equity fund.
  • Develop strategies for a nationally recognized non-profit to finance a $30+ million exhibit.
  • Represent party to national broadcast contracts and related sponsorship arrangements.
  • Represent CEOs and other C-level executives of private equity backed businesses in negotiating employment packages and separations from service, including equity incentives (phantom stock, restricted stock, etc.).
  • Negotiate numerous commercial contracts, statements of work and master service agreements on behalf of public and privately-held companies.
  • Represent owners of privately-held companies in the sale, restructuring and/or reorganization of businesses to resolve controversies among owners, deceased owner’s family members, and/or third parties. Resolve related complex inter-related personal, fiduciary, tax and business considerations.
  • Represent a minority (20%) owner in the sale of two companies, each owning a number of fast-casual restaurants, to resolve issues arising due to the minority owner’s involuntary termination from employment by the companies.
  • Resolve non-business family disputes between siblings by effectuating the sale of a 50% interest in each of several inter-related companies by one sibling to the other.
  • Sales of multiple domestic and foreign automobile dealerships to third parties to implement owner’s’ personal and business succession planning goals.

Succession Planning

  • Multi-generational gift and estate planning for founder/CEO of national service provider and his family. Design and implement partnerships, limited liability companies and irrevocable trusts to achieve gift and estate planning goals.
  • Design and structure a limited liability company to facilitate transfer of partial interests in a family compound/vacation property to preserve family ownership for extended generations.
  • Gift and estate planning for real estate entrepreneur/developer, including use of irrevocable trusts and other family wealth transfer vehicles.
  • Develop memorandum of understanding among donors, public charity and educational institution to create and endow a fund to provide scholarships for graduate students.
  • Administer estates and trusts of founders/owners/senior officers of privately-held businesses, including post-mortem sales of businesses.
  • Integrate business succession goals of business owners/founders and senior executives with their estate planning goals to develop comprehensive plans, including buy-sell agreements, management succession plans, and related multi-generational personal estate plans.
  • Represent affluent families with complex personal and financial circumstances, including highly appreciated, illiquid assets (real estate, concentrated equity positions, etc.), and non-pro rata asset allocation goals (arising from multiple marriages and other business/personal situations).

State and Local Tax

  • Represent out of state, internet based retailers against assessment of Ohio commercial activity tax.
  • Obtain approximate $20 million reduction in value of distribution center for Ohio real property tax purposes on behalf of a national retailer.
  • Successfully prosecute claim that landfill gas to energy conversion facility qualifies for certain Ohio tax incentives.
  • Defend federal, state and local income tax returns filed by entrepreneurs and business owners. Obtain favorable resolutions and/or penalty abatements.
  • Jim has written articles and speaks before community and professional groups on issues associated with his practice areas.
  • AV® Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell since 1993
  • Named in Legal 500 United States (Middle-Market M&A), 2015 to 2018
  • Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2007 to 2024 for Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, and Corporate Law; named the Best Lawyers® 2018 Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Columbus
  • Selected to the Ohio Super Lawyers list, 2015, 2017 and 2018

Professional Associations

  • Ohio State Bar Association
  • Columbus Bar Association
  • American Institute of CPAs

Community Activities

  • Counsel, Columbus Bar Foundation, 2011-2019

Education

  • The Ohio State University Michael E. Moritz College of Law, J.D., 1978,
    with honors
  • The Ohio State University, B.A., 1975,
    summa cum laude

Bar Admissions

  • Ohio

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Tax Court