Focus Areas
Examples of Imani’s experience include:
- Advising private equity sponsor in the formation and ongoing administration of $1.2 billion digital infrastructure fund, including forming a co-investment fund, and managing the subscription process.
- Representing private equity sponsor in $660 million cash and equity acquisition of its fund complex.
- Representing sports-focused investment adviser in negotiating the transfer and assignment of certain private equity positions with its professional athlete clientele.
- Providing ongoing regulatory and compliance counseling to venture capital funds, private equity funds, hedge funds, interval funds.
- Representing majority investor in $10 million Series A investment in an online sports marketplace.
- Representing private capital division of institutional bank in SBIC investments, including analyzing fund documents, and drafting side letters. negotiation of private equity SBIC.
- Drafting, reviewing, revising and/or negotiating commercial contracts for professional sports teams and their respective facilities.
- Advising chemical manufacturer on its in-stadium promotion and sponsorship rights under facility contract for professional sports team.
- Obtaining $17 million damages verdict from Maryland jury for a developer client defending its property rights against a master developer.
- “House v. NCAA Settlement Calls Private Equity Off the Bench,” Thompson Hine Business Law Update, September 2025
- “Fast Break or Financial Trap? Navigating Investment Risks in Sports,” Thompson Hine Business Law Update, April 2025
- “The NFL Dips Its Cleats into Pooled Investment Vehicles,” Thompson Hine Business Law Update, January 2025
- Panelist, “Sports, Law and Business,” Cleveland State University’s Entertainment and Sports Law Symposium, April 2025
- Panelist, “Women In Sports,” Cleveland State University’s Entertainment and Sports Law Symposium, April 2024
- Cleveland Foundation, Foundations for Philanthropy, 2021 Cohort
Community Activities
- Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, Associate Board Member, 2025-present
- Hathaway Brown School, Head’s Council, member, 2025-present
- Karamu House, Young Professionals Council, 2020-2022
- Demark Tibbs Family Foundation, Vice Chair, 2015-present
Education
- Cleveland State University College of Law, J.D., 2023
- Howard University, B.A., 2015
Bar Admissions
- Ohio
- Business Law Update – September 2025,
Thompson Hine Newsletter
, September 22, 2025 - House v. NCAA Settlement Calls Private Equity Off the Bench,
Business Law Update
, September 22, 2025 - Business Law Update – Spring 2025,
Thompson Hine Newsletter
, April 29, 2025 - Fast Break or Financial Trap? Navigating Investment Risks in Sports,
Business Law Update
, April 29, 2025 - Business Law Update – January 2025,
Thompson Hine Newsletter
, January 16, 2025 - The NFL Dips Its Cleats into Pooled Investment Vehicles,
Business Law Update
, January 16, 2025

