Webb I. Vorys

Webb is a retired partner in the Vorys Columbus office and a member of the commercial, real estate and energy practice groups.  He had extensive experience advising and assisting domestic and international clients with the structure, negotiation and documentation of purchases, sales, licenses and leases of personal and real property, including oil and gas, and matters involving most chapters of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC).  He also managed and worked in the firm’s oil and gas title opinion practice, which focuses primarily on properties located in the Utica shale play.

Webb’s representation included public and private manufacturers, energy companies and service providers.  He facilitated their general business needs, including business and asset acquisitions, sales and restructurings, governance, financing, and the formation and proper maintenance of different types of business entities.  He also represented non-profits in projects related to governance, fundraising, board development and other organizational matters.

Career highlights include:

• Represented a large public restaurant and food service company as outside general counsel
• Represented a large non-profit hospital as outside general counsel
• Established and managed the firm’s mineral title and opinion practice
• Worked for nine months on-site at the headquarters of a global manufacturer as an “embedded” assistant general counsel.  Work involved direct handling and disposition of a broad variety of commercial, litigation, real estate, bankruptcy and labor matters
• Represented an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in the creation of its purchase, bailment, confidentiality and related agreements for use with its worldwide suppliers, as well as negotiating on behalf of the OEM regarding these contracts
• Represented a large service company in the creation of contracts for the purchase of various services needed at its more than 500 locations, including the creation of instructions and training of employees regarding the proper use of such contracts
• Represented a large retailer in creation of its purchasing documents and negotiation of those documents with its worldwide vendors

Webb is a member of the American Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association, the Columbus Bar Association and the Ohio Oil and Gas Association. 

Webb was a frequent speaker regarding the purchase and sale of goods and services and issues relating to oil and gas development.  Most recently he was invited to speak at the Ohio Oil and Gas Law Conference regarding "Royalty vs. Mineral Reservations and Associated Issues."  Prior to that he was invited by the Ohio State Bar Association to speak across Ohio on “Creating Good Contracts – Experiences of a Contract Practitioner: Contract Preparation and Formation.”

Webb received his J.D. from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, where he was a member and the executive editor of the Ohio State Law Journal and a recipient of the Denis B. Eastman Memorial Award in 1985 for outstanding service to the Journal.  He received his B.A. from Dartmouth College.

Honors & Recognitions

Columbus CEO, Best Lawyers, Commercial Law, 2022; Corporate Law, 2022-2023

The Best Lawyers in America, Corporate Law, 2013-2025

Columbus CEO, Top Lawyers in Columbus, 2010-2021

Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer Review Rated

Business First, Forty under 40, 1997

Professional & Community Activities

Nationwide Children's Hospital, Board of Trustees, 2000-2012

Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Board of Trustees, 1998-2013

Franklin County Hospital Commission, Chairman, 2005-2015; Commissioner, 2000-2015

Columbus School for Girls, Board of Trustees, 2011-2017

Green Lawn Cemetery, Board of Trustees, 1994-2005; President, 2000-2005

Prevent Child Abuse Ohio, Advisory Board, 2002-2009

Jefferson Township Civic Association, 1990 to present

ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Board of Trustees, 1987-1993