Douglas K. Sesnowitz

Partner | Co-Group Leader, Business Law

Highly skilled in corporate, commercial, and finance law, Doug counsels public and private companies in a wide range of industries on a variety of corporate matters. Doug has served as general counsel and advisor to many closely held and middle market companies in the manufacturing, distribution, retail, and service industries. Doug also represents financial institutions and borrowers in various types of financing transactions.

Education & Admissions

Education

  • Washington University

    (B.A., magna cum laude, 1991)

  • The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law

    (J.D., with honors, 1994)

Admissions

  • State of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio

Experience

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

  • Experienced in the counseling of start-up, emerging, and closely-held businesses, including preparation and review of business plans, business formation, strategic planning, succession planning, and drafting shareholder and limited liability company agreements.
  • Significant experience representing companies in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures.
  • Represents companies in a variety of commercial law matters, including drafting and negotiating terms and conditions of sale, supply agreements, consignment agreements, distribution agreements, and equipment purchase contracts.
  • Extensive experience in advising clients on Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) matters, including Article 2 (Sales), Article 3 (Negotiable Instruments), Article 4 (Bank Deposits and Collections), Article 8 (Investment Securities), and Article 9 (Secured Transactions).
  • Experienced in the negotiation and drafting of employment, non-competition, independent contractor, and consulting agreements.
  • Represents clients in connection with private equity, debt, and other securities offerings.
  • Significant experience negotiating and documenting commercial loans for both lenders and borrowers and representing debtors and creditors in secured transactions and bankruptcy related matters.

Publications & Presentations

Client Alerts

Publications

  • “Managing Seller Risk in M&A Transactions,” Crain’s Cleveland Business (January 2017)
  • “Managing Fees in M&A Transactions,” Crain’s Cleveland Business (January 2014)

Involvement

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • American Bar Association
  • Ohio State Bar Association
  • Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
  • Lawyers Associated Worldwide (LAW)

FIRM INVOLVEMENT 

  • Co-Group Leader, Business Law Practice Group
  • Chair, Legal Opinions Committee

Honors

  • Ranked as one of Ohio’s “Leaders in Their Field” in Corporate/M&A by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (2022-2023)
  • Named to The Best Lawyers in America, Corporate Law; Securities / Capital Markets Law (2018-2023)
  • Named to the Ohio Super Lawyers list (2022-2023)

Chambers