Overview

Tony is a partner in the Vorys Columbus office and a member of the corporate group.  Tony represents and counsels public and private companies and financial institutions on a broad range of legal matters, including corporate governance, business formation, mergers and acquisitions, tax credit transactions, joint ventures, contract negotiations, disclosure and reporting under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and regulatory compliance.  A significant portion of his practice is devoted to assisting Japanese companies in establishing and operating U.S. affiliates and joint ventures.

Representative transactions include:

  • Representing Civista Bancshares, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Civista Bank, in the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Vision Financial Group, Inc., a privately-held, independent, full-service equipment leasing and financing company headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • Representing the owners of Buckeye Diamond Logistics, Inc. (BDL), a national pallet recycling, pallet sales and pallet management company, in the sale of BDL and its subsidiaries to a national pallet recycling company
  • Representing Civista Bancshares, Inc. in connection with its private placement of $75.0 million aggregate principal amount of Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes to certain institutional accredited investors and qualified institutional buyers
  • Representing SB Financial Group, Inc. in connection with its private placement of $20.0 million aggregate principal amount of Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes to certain institutional accredited investors and qualified institutional buyers
  • Representing CF Bankshares Inc. in connection with its private placement of an aggregate of $25.0 million of common stock and preferred stock to certain accredited investors
  • Representing Tailored Brands, Inc., and its subsidiary, The Men's Wearhouse, Inc., in the sale of its corporate apparel business to a group led by the existing U.K. corporate apparel executive team
  • Representing a local developer in connection with multiple tax credit investments and financing transactions related to mixed-use historic real estate projects in downtown Columbus, Ohio
  • Assisting Japanese clients in establishing affiliates and joint ventures in the U.S. for conducting manufacturing operations and providing ongoing counsel to those clients in connection with their U.S. operations
  • Representing a Central Ohio heating and cooling company in connection with the sale of its business
  • Representing a parking service and software company in connection with the sale of its business
  • Representing a national distribution company in connection with multiple stock and asset acquisitions
  • Representing multiple transportation and manufacturing companies in connection with the restructuring of their North American subsidiaries and operations
  • Representing a national retailer in the sale of a division in a management buyout transaction
  • Representing a national food sales and marketing company in connection with the sale of its business
  • Representing a manufacturer of commercial doors and frames in the sale of its business
  • Representing Civista Bancshares, Inc. (formerly First Citizens Banc Corp) in connection with its acquisition by merger of TCNB Financial Corp. and its bank subsidiary, The Citzens National Bank of Southwestern Ohio
  • Representing SB Financial Group, Inc. in connection with its registered public offering of $15 million of Depositary Shares, each representing 1/100th interest in a 6.50% Noncumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Share, Series A
  • Representing Civista Bancshares, Inc. (formerly First Citizens Banc Corp) in connection with its registered public offering of $25 million of Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/40th interest in a 6.50% Noncumulative Redeemable Convertible Perpetual Preferred Share, Series B
  • Representing Croghan Bancshares, Inc. in connection with its acquisition of Indebancorp and its bank subsidiary, National Bank of Ohio, in a merger transaction involving the issuance of stock registered under the Securities Act of 1933
  • Representing the directors of a family owned automobile dealership in connection with the sale of the dealership
  • Representing a Japanese corporation in the acquisition of a U.S.-based specialty manufacturer
  • Representing a U.S.-based manufacturing company in the spin-off and sale of its business to a Japanese corporation
  • Assisting financial institutions with complex financial regulations, supervisory actions and capital raising and restructuring transactions
  • Serving as outside counsel to several publicly traded clients in connection with securities offerings, corporate disclosure and Securities and Exchange Commission compliance and reporting

Tony is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and the Columbus Bar Association.

Tony received his J.D. summa cum laude from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif and was a member and a managing editor of the Ohio State Law Journal.  Tony received his B.S.B.A summa cum laude from Bowling Green State University.

Honors & Recognitions

Columbus CEO, Best Lawyers, Corporate, 2022-2023; Banking & Financial Service Law, 2023

The Best Lawyers in America, Mergers and Acquisitions Law “Lawyer of the Year,” 2019, 2023

The Best Lawyers in America, Mergers & Acquisitions Law, 2013-2024

Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Business/Corporate, 2007 & 2009

Professional & Community Activities

Japan-America Society of Central Ohio, Board of Directors, 2009 to present; Chair/President, 2019-2021

Greater Columbus Sister Cities International, Board of Directors, 2014 to present

Bowling Green State University Alumni Association, Board of Directors, 2009-2015

News & Insights

News

Publications

Education

The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D., summa cum laude, 1999, Order of the Coif

The Ohio State Law Journal, Managing Editor, 1998-1999

Bowling Green State University, B.S.B.A., summa cum laude, 1996

Bar & Court Admissions

  • Ohio
  • Admitted to practice law only in the states listed above.
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