| Admission Details | 2001, Ohio; U.S. Tax Court |
| Education | The University of Akron, B.S., Accounting, 1990; The Ohio State University, M.B.A., Finance, 2000; The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law, J.D., 2001 |
| Birth Information | Dover, Ohio, February 7, 1967 |
| Associations & Memberships | Akron Bar Association; Ohio State Bar Association; American Bar Association. |
| Awards & Recognition | Selected as an "Ohio Super Lawyer - Rising Star" by Law & Politics magazine and Cincinnati Magazine (2006)
Selected as a Fellow of the Akron Bar Foundation, Class of 2009
Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honors Fraternity |
| Speaking Engagements | "Business Succession Planning: Planning for the Future of Your Business" - The University of Akron School of Accountancy Advisory Board Professional Development Day (October 2010)
"Managing Vendor Relationships: Protecting the Goods You Send to Your Vendors"- The Association of Corporate Counsel, Northeast Ohio Chapter (March 2010)
"Know Your Client's Options for Financing the Business Acquisition" - National Business Institute (December 2009)
"Overview of UCC Issues in Contract Negotiations" - The Association of Corporate Counsel, Northeast Ohio Chapter (March 2009)
"Advanced Like-Kind Exchange Techniques" (2006)
"Operating a Business Within a Legal Entity" (2005) |
| Representative Clients | Experienced in structuring, negotiating and documenting the following types of transactions:
- Corporate mergers, acquisitions, sales, reorganizations and joint ventures
- Commercial, asset-based, construction and real estate lending, including workouts and participation and inter-creditor arrangements
- Private equity financing, private securities offerings and bond financing
- Commercial real estate development, acquisitions, sales, leasing and like-kind exchanges
- Business entity selection, formation and capitalization
- Business succession planning and asset protection planning
- Business owner management and buy-sell arrangements
- Employment, consulting and executive compensation arrangements
- Intellectual property licensing, and distribution and supply arrangements |
| Civil Associations | Greater Akron Chamber Economic Development Council, Member
Greater Akron Chamber Investor Relations Committee, Member
Copley-Fairlawn Schools Foundation, Board Trustee/Secretary
Greater Akron Chamber Small Business Council, Past Board Trustee
Cascade Capital Corporation Loan Approval Committee, Past Member |
| Publications | "Employer-Owned Life Insurance: What to Watch For," Law360 Employment and Insurance Law sections (April 2010)
"Why Plan for Business Succession?," Smart Business Akron/Canton
"When is a Deal Too Good to be True?," Smart Business Akron/Canton |
| Additional Bio Details | Mr. Fickes focuses his practice in the following areas: corporate and general business law; mergers & acquisitions; banking & finance law; commercial law; deferred compensation; and tax law. He acts as general counsel for many closely-held businesses and represents both privately-held and publicly-traded corporations in various industries, including manufacturing, distribution, banking, real estate development, professional services and technology. Mr. Fickes previously worked in the corporate world where he held various positions in financial management, including financial controller. This background gives Mr. Fickes the unique ability to provide clients with insightful business advice as well as to deftly guide them through complex legal matters. |