Attorney
Area of Focus
Additional Services
Industries
Education
Case Western Reserve University School of Law, JD, 1990, magna cum laude
John Carroll University, BSBA, 1987, magna cum laude
Bar Admissions
Ohio State Bar
Patricia A. Gajda Partner
Contact Information

- Area of Focus
- Industries
- Education
Case Western Reserve University School of Law, JD, 1990, magna cum laude
John Carroll University, BSBA, 1987, magna cum laude
- Bar Admissions
Ohio State Bar
Biography
Pat’s practice includes corporate transactions, joint ventures, general corporate counseling and securities. She has negotiated complex, multi-entity joint ventures and acquisitions, as well as advises clients on a variety of general corporate issues and agreements. Pat has advised and consulted with both privately-held and publicly-traded clients. Her experience includes the negotiation and structuring of acquisitions, mergers, private placements, equity investments, joint ventures, development agreements, licensing agreements, supply agreements, distributor agreements, sales agency agreements, limited liability company agreements, non-competition and non-solicitation agreements, employment and consulting agreements, and corporate succession planning.
- Biography
Pat’s practice includes corporate transactions, joint ventures, general corporate counseling and securities. She has negotiated complex, multi-entity joint ventures and acquisitions, as well as advises clients on a variety of general corporate issues and agreements. Pat has advised and consulted with both privately-held and publicly-traded clients. Her experience includes the negotiation and structuring of acquisitions, mergers, private placements, equity investments, joint ventures, development agreements, licensing agreements, supply agreements, distributor agreements, sales agency agreements, limited liability company agreements, non-competition and non-solicitation agreements, employment and consulting agreements, and corporate succession planning.
- Professional & Civic Activities
- Susan G. Komen Northeast Ohio, Board Member
- Ohio Women's Bar Foundation, Past President
- American Bar Association, Member
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Member
- Ohio State Bar Association, Member
- Art Therapy Studio (fka The Art Studio) and Youth Challenge, Former Trustee and Former Co-Chair for The Art Studio's 1999 Annual Benefit
- Case Western Reserve School of Law Alumni Board of Directors, Former Member
- Project Learn, Former Trustee
- Race for the Cure, Volunteer
- Race for the Cure's 1998 "In the Pink" program, Former Co-Chair
- Articles & Presentations
- "Business Checkup," Guest Speaker, Brouse Briefing, Brouse McDowell Webinar (October 21, 2021)
- "If It Isn't Broke, Should You Fix It?," Business, Brouse McDowell Blog (May 7, 2021)
- "Get me out of this contract! The impact of a bad contract and how to get out of one" Smart Business, Akron/Canton (November 2019)
- "Mergers and Acquisitions," Cleveland EO Panel (January 22, 2019)
- "The threat is real - Governing your company through the age of cybersecurity attacks," co-author with Todd C. Baumgartner, Rachael E. Mauk and Kate B. Wexler, Smart Business News Magazine (November 2015)
- "Women in Law Making a Difference - Honorees Initiating Positive Changes in the Community, the Workplace, and Our Profession," Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal (January 2015)
- "Due Diligence - How To Review Company Information in the M&A Process," Co-authored with Rachael E. Mauk, Smart Business News (June 2013)
- Representative Engagements
- Formation and negotiation of a joint venture, including the buy-out of a former venture partner; organization and structuring of subsidiary entity
- Structuring supply, licensing, and distribution arrangements
- Structuring and negotiation of development agreement, including equity buy-in of startup company
- Formation of acquisition entity and preparation of equity and debt private placement offering
- Negotiation of sale of stock of client’s business, including earn-out and later stage affiliate sale
- Negotiation of the sale of stock of a family owned business, including earn-out, employment agreements, and consulting agreements for principals
- Negotiation of the buy-out of a joint venture partner, including licensing rights and continuing supply agreements
- Distinctions
- Best Lawyers® Commercial Transactions/UCC "Lawyer of the Year" in Cleveland — 2023
- The Best Lawyers in America© through a peer-review survey as listed in the Corporate Law section — 2018-2024
- The Best Lawyers in America© through a peer-review survey as listed in the Commercial Transactions / UCC Law sections — 2015-2024
- Recognized attorney for “Notable Women in Law” by Crain’s Cleveland Business — May 2018
- Women in Law Making a Difference Honoree — 2015
- News
August 17, 2023The Best Lawyers in America 2024 Recognizes 24 Brouse Attorneys in 28 Practice Areas and 3 Attorneys as "Ones to Watch"
May 11, 2023Brouse McDowell Names Several New Practice Chairs
February 28, 2023Brouse Represented SURTECO in $255M Acquisition of Laminates Business from OMNOVA Solutions
August 18, 2022The Best Lawyers in America 2023 Recognizes 27 Brouse Attorneys in 32 Practice Areas and 5 Attorneys as "Ones to Watch"
August 19, 2021The Best Lawyers in America 2022 Recognizes 28 Brouse Attorneys in 32 Practice Areas and 6 Attorneys as "Ones to Watch"
August 20, 2020The Best Lawyers in America 2021 Recognizes 28 Brouse Attorneys in 33 Practice Areas and 4 Attorneys as "Ones to Watch"
February 29, 2020Brouse McDowell Sponsors Susan G. Komen Northeast Ohio's "Have a Ball" Event
August 15, 2019Twenty-eight Brouse McDowell Attorneys Recognized in 33 Practice Areas to The Best Lawyers in America© 2020
April 09, 2019Brouse Recognizes Attorneys And Staff For Their Years Of Service
January 21, 2019Brouse McDowell Partner Patricia Gajda Speaks on M&A at Cleveland EO Panel
January 18, 2019Brouse McDowell Announces Election of Executive Committee Members
September 24, 20184 Brouse Attorneys Attend Akron Children's Bruce F. Rothmann Memorial Golf Tournament
August 15, 201825 Brouse McDowell Attorneys Recognized in 19 Practice Areas to The Best Lawyers in America© 2019
May 14, 2018Three Brouse McDowell Attorneys Honored as "Notable Women in Law" by Crain's
August 15, 201723 Brouse McDowell Attorneys named to The Best Lawyers in America© 2018
March 08, 2017Brouse McDowell Announces Election of Executive Committee Members
January 30, 2015Women in Law Making a Difference - Honorees Initiating Positive Changes in the Community, the Workplace, and Our Profession
January 26, 2015Brouse McDowell Announces Recently Elected Executive Committee Members
August 25, 2014Brouse McDowell Attorneys named to The Best Lawyers in America© 2015
February 08, 2013Brouse McDowell Announces Election of New Executive Committee Members
- Seminars & Events
October 21, 2021Brouse Briefing Webinar Series: Business Checkup
November 10, 2016Innovate to Succeed - From Conception to Commercialization
August 15, 2013Material Contract Terms: Negotiating Hot Spots Seminar
February 11, 2013Attorneys on Non-Profit Boards
- Articles
- Blogs
Business Blog
May 7, 2021Business Blog: "If It Isn't Broke, Should You Fix It?"