Overview
Carl was firm chairman from 2016 to 2019 after serving as firm president for over nine years. He served on the firm's Board of Directors for over a decade. Carl is corporate counsel and business advisor to a number of middle-market and growth companies. He has extensive experience assisting clients in areas of complex mergers and acquisitions, choice of entity planning, business succession planning, financing and structuring ESOPs, executive compensation and tax planning, creation of family limited partnerships, formation and use of limited liability companies, and IRS controversies.
Carl authored the Small Business “Tax Tips” column for Crain’s Cleveland Business and has written articles for other publications. He has frequently spoken on business planning related topics for business owners, accountants and lawyers.
Carl earned a J.D. from Cleveland State University College of Law in 1984. He received a B.S.B.A. from John Carroll University in 1981.
Honors & Recognition
Named the 2019 Business Executive of the year by Sales & Marketing Executives of Cleveland
Named one of Crain's Cleveland's Who's Who in Northeast Ohio (2017)
Named one of the Best Lawyers in America (2011-2024)
"AV” Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Credentials
Education
Cleveland State University College of Law
John Carroll University
Admissions – State
- Ohio
Professional & Civic
Professional Activities
American Bar Association
Federal Bar Association
International Lawyers Network
Life Fellow of the American Bar Foundation
Community Involvement
Hynes Industries Inc. (Board Member)
International Lawyers Network (Past Board Member)
Regional Brands Inc. (Board Member)
W. F. Hann & Sons, Inc. (Board Member)
Ancora Holdings, Inc. (Past Advisory Board Member)
J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. (Past Board Member)
Mace Security International (Past Board Member)
Parts Associates, Inc. (acquired by Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.) (Past Board Member)
Thinsolutions, Inc. (Past Advisory Board Member) (acquired by Konica Minolta Business Solutions)
The 50 Club of Cleveland
Greater Cleveland Sports Commission (Vice Chairman 2018-2022; Chairman 2014 - 2018)
American ORT, Cleveland Chapter (Past Director)
BVU | The Center for Nonprofit Excellence (Past Board Member)
Easter Seals of Northeast Ohio (Past Board Member)
Greater Cleveland Film Commission (Past Board Member)
Greater Cleveland Western Region United Way Campaign (Co-Chair 2009 and 2010)
Lake Erie College (Past Board Chair)
Leadership Lake County (Class of 1998)
Accreditation
Certified Public Accountant (inactive)