Attorney
Area of Focus
Additional Services
Education
Case Western Reserve University School of Law, JD, 1988, cum laude
Washington University in St. Louis, AB, 1984, cum laude
Bar Admissions
Ohio Bar, 1988
Edward F. Smith Partner
Contact Information
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- Area of Focus
- Education
Case Western Reserve University School of Law, JD, 1988, cum laude
Washington University in St. Louis, AB, 1984, cum laude
- Bar Admissions
Ohio Bar, 1988
Biography
Ed is a shareholder in Brouse McDowell's Youngstown office, with a practice focusing on corporate, real estate and financing transactions.
His real estate practice focuses on transactional real estate, including HUD, bond and securitized financing transactions. Ed has represented clients in acquisition, sale, leasing and financing of shopping centers, manufactured home parks, industrial parks, and apartment complexes.
His corporate practice also focuses on business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, equipment leasing and financing. Ed has represented parties in the acquisition or disposition of steel mills, manufacturing companies, grocery stores, funeral homes, professional practices, mobile home parks, and equipment dealers.
He has represented major and regional commercial banks as well as several local and regional banks in loan originations (including construction and floor plan financings), workouts and loan restructuring (including secured party sales and non-bankruptcy liquidations), as well as Historic Tax Credit financing transactions.
Ed’s clients include software and technology start-ups, as well as early-stage companies. In addition, he represents franchisors, with a focus on new operations, including preparation of all compliance documentation, and establishing state by state qualifications.
- Biography
Ed is a shareholder in Brouse McDowell's Youngstown office, with a practice focusing on corporate, real estate and financing transactions.
His real estate practice focuses on transactional real estate, including HUD, bond and securitized financing transactions. Ed has represented clients in acquisition, sale, leasing and financing of shopping centers, manufactured home parks, industrial parks, and apartment complexes.
His corporate practice also focuses on business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, equipment leasing and financing. Ed has represented parties in the acquisition or disposition of steel mills, manufacturing companies, grocery stores, funeral homes, professional practices, mobile home parks, and equipment dealers.
He has represented major and regional commercial banks as well as several local and regional banks in loan originations (including construction and floor plan financings), workouts and loan restructuring (including secured party sales and non-bankruptcy liquidations), as well as Historic Tax Credit financing transactions.
Ed’s clients include software and technology start-ups, as well as early-stage companies. In addition, he represents franchisors, with a focus on new operations, including preparation of all compliance documentation, and establishing state by state qualifications.
- Professional & Civic Activities
- American Bar Association, Member
- Ohio State Bar Association, Member
- Mahoning County Bar Association, Member Certified Grievance Committee, 2006-2011, 2018-present
- Trumbull County Bar Association, Certified Grievance Committee, Chairman 2023-present, Member 2017-2023
- Trumbull County Bar Association, Fee Dispute Committee, Chairman 2023-present, Co-Chair 2019-2022, Member 2016-2019
- Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio, Board Member
- City of Cortland Civil Service Commission, Member
- Articles & Presentations
- "Business Lawyers Navigate Ever Changing Regs," Media Mention, The Business Journal - Youngstown Publishing Co. (October 2020)
- “5 Tips for Small Business Owners to Protect Their Financial Health From COVID-19,” Co-Author with Shelby Ranier, Daniel Silfani, and Elizabeth Yeargin, Business Transactions & Corporate Counseling, Brouse McDowell Client Alert (March 16, 2020)
- “Emerging Issues and the Sharing Economy,” co-speaker with Elizabeth G. Yeargin, Dana In-House Seminar CLE, Maumee, Ohio (October 1, 2019)
- “Clarifying Procedures in Mergers and Acquisitions of Privately-Held Companies,” Materials Author and Presenter, Business Law: Start to Finish, National Business Institute Seminar, Akron, Ohio (September 2014, 2015, 2017)
- Representative Engagements
- Represented the US affiliate of a German plastics manufacturing company in the approximately $250 Million acquisitions of a specialty films business with locations in three states and two countries
- Represented a specialty foods manufacturing business in its $235 Million sale to a publicly traded Canadian corporation
- Represent real estate developers with projects throughout the United States on all aspects of commercial real estate development, including acquisition, leasing and financing
- Represented major national discount drugstore chain and major national office products supply chain on lease matters
- Represented owners of local manufacturing company in recapitalization in excess of $80 million
- News
February 28, 2023Brouse Represented SURTECO in $255M Acquisition of Laminates Business from OMNOVA Solutions
June 04, 2022Youngstown Partners and Summer Associates Volunteer for 25th Annual StreetScape Planting Day
October 21, 2020Ed Smith Comments on Business Changes Brought on by the Pandemic in The Business Journal
October 02, 2019Brouse McDowell Advises Cleveland Vibrator on its New Headquarters and Manufacturing Facility
- Seminars & Events
September 15, 2017Business Law: Start to Finish
- Client Advisories
