Jim Chriszt counsels clients in the organization and reorganization of corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs) and partnerships and in federal and state tax planning and compliance.  He helps clients plan, negotiate, and document mergers, acquisitions and restructurings.

Jim also analyzes and develops estate and lifetime gifting plans; prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney and other estate planning documents; and analyzes and develops family business arrangements, family partnerships, insurance trusts, deferred compensation and other executive compensation arrangements.

Principal practice areas

• Mergers, acquisitions and reorganizations
• General corporate law
• Joint ventures
• Federal and state tax planning and compliance
• Estate and gift planning
• Corporate succession planning
• Professional corporations
• Partnerships and limited liability companies
• Executive compensation and other employment arrangements
• License and royalty arrangements
• Real estate purchase and lease agreements
• Bank financing

Representative experience

• Organization of general and professional corporations
• Corporate and transactional tax planning
• Planning, negotiation and documentation of mergers and acquisitions
• Development and documentation of corporate structuring, restructuring and financing transactions
• Analysis and development of estate plans and lifetime gifting programs
• Analysis and preparation of wills, trusts and powers of attorney
• Analysis and development of corporate succession plans
• Organization of family limited partnerships and limited liability companies
• Analysis and preparation of insurance trusts and other irrevocable trusts
• Development and documentation of buy/sell arrangements
• Development and documentation of deferred compensation arrangements
• Development and documentation of stock option arrangements
• Development and documentation of employment arrangements including physician and executive employment contracts
• Development and documentation of license and royalty arrangements
• Planning, negotiation and documentation of real estate purchase and lease transactions
• Representation of borrowers in bank financing transactions

Bar admissions

• Ohio Supreme Court (1987)

Career and educational background

• Treasurer/chief financial officer, Martindale Electric Co. (1981-1987)
• Licensed as a certified public accountant in Ohio (1980) (inactive)
• Certified public accountant, senior accountant, small business division, Arthur Andersen & Co. (1978-1981)
• Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland State University (JD, summa cum laude, 1987)
• University of Notre Dame (BBA, accounting, 1978)

Professional and civic activities

• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Ohio State Bar Association
• Member, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
• Member, Estate Planning Council of Cleveland
• Member, Notre Dame Club of Cleveland
• President, Cleveland Athletic Club (2001-2002)
• Member of Board of Managers, Chautauqua Lake Estates Condominium Association (2014-present); president (2003-2006)
• Member, St. Raphael Parish Finance Council (2000-present); chair (2000-2005)
• Member, Board of Trustees, Glenmoira, Inc., Ohio nonprofit corporation (1997-present)
• Member, Board of Directors, Family Haven, Inc., Ohio nonprofit corporation (present)

Publications and interviews

• Author, “Ohio Revises Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Law,” NGC Legal Insights (Summer 2014)
• Author, “Ohio Embraces Asset Protection,” NGC Legal Insights (Spring 2013)
• Author, “What the “Fiscal Cliff” Deal Means for Your Estate Plan,” NGC Legal Insights (Winter 2012-2013)
• Author, “Estate and Gift Taxes Going Forward: What We Know and What We Don’t Know,” NGC Legal Insights (Fall 2012)
• Interviewed, “Rethinking Retirement,” WHK 1420 (May 2012)