James R. Chriszt
Member Management Committee
jchriszt@nicola.com
Phone: (216) 621-7227
Jim Chriszt counsels clients in the organization and reorganization of corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships, and in federal and state tax planning and compliance. Mr. Chriszt also helps clients plan, negotiate, and document mergers, acquisitions, and restructurings. He 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
- Joint Ventures
- Federal and State Tax
- Estate and Gift Planning
- Corporate Succession Planning
- Professional Corporations
- Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies
- Employment and Executive Compensation 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, 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 Split Dollar Arrangements
- 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
Career/Educational Background
- Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer, Martindale Electric Company (1981-87)
- Licensed As a Certified Public Accountant in Ohio: 1980 (Inactive)
- Certified Public Accountant, Senior Accountant, Small Business Division, Arthur Andersen & Co. (1978-81)
- Cleveland Marshall College of Law , Cleveland State University (J.D. 1987; summa cum laude)
- University of Notre Dame (B.B.A., Accounting, 1978)
Professional and Civic Activities
- Member: American Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association, and Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
- Member: Estate Planning Council of Cleveland
- Member: Notre Dame Club of Cleveland
- Finance Council: St. Raphael Parish (2000-Present); Chairman (2000-2005)
- President: Cleveland Athletic Club (2001-02)
- President and Member of Board of Managers: Chautauqua Lake Estates Condominium Association (2000-2006)
