Bruce Waterhouse serves the diverse needs of privately held businesses and nonprofit organizations operating in a variety of industries and service areas, including manufacturing, commercial construction, alternative energy, economic development, and higher education.  Bruce’s practice includes forming corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs) and general and limited liability partnerships; negotiating and documenting mergers and acquisitions and entity reorganizations; and counseling management regarding a broad range of regulatory and risk-minimization matters, such as environmental compliance, consumer product safety and federal and state regulatory programs.

Bruce also has broad experience in complex real estate matters, including buy/sell agreements, financings, lease arrangements, construction contracting, title disputes, foreclosures, mineral, oil and gas exploration rights, tax exemption applications, conservation easements and remediation of environmental contamination.

Principal practice areas

• General corporate counseling
• Commercial relationships and contracts
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Protection of intellectual property
• Real estate transactions, leasing, taxation and litigation
• Remediation of contamination and cost recovery
• Environmental compliance
• Creditors’ rights

Representative experience

• Organization of for-profit and nonprofit corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs)
• Documentation of a variety of commercial transactions and relationships, including supply, confidentiality, and noncompete agreements, joint ventures, secured credit agreements and intellectual property licenses
• Counseling concerning consumer product safety laws impacting the manufacture and sale of children’s products and the reporting and recall of defective consumer products
• Representation of owners and construction contractors with respect to contract negotiations, claims actions and mechanic’s liens
• Lease, acquisition and divestiture of single-family and multi-family residential, office, commercial and industrial facilities
• Representation of buyers and sellers in transactions involving asset pools, operating divisions, LLC membership interests and corporate stock
• Counseling and representation of nonprofit organizations on governance, risk management, charitable solicitation, compliance and tax exemption
• Counseling on compliance obligations and potential liabilities under federal and state environmental laws, including the cleanup of and cost recovery for contamination from underground storage tanks, remediation of brownfields and the assessment and abatement of asbestos, radon, lead paint, and mold in buildings
• Representation of creditors in a variety of bankruptcy, foreclosure and distressed debtor proceedings

Bar admissions

• Ohio Supreme Court
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio

Educational background

• Washington College of Law, American University (JD, cum laude, 1982)
• University of Michigan (BS, natural resources, with distinction, 1977)

Professional and civic activities

• Member, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Environmental Law Section
• Trustee, Westside Industrial Retention & Expansion Network
• Trustee, Suburban Temple-Kol Ami

Publications and interviews

• Author, “When a Business Owner Dies,” NGC Legal Insights (Summer 2019)
• Author, “New Legislation Defines the Fiduciary Duties of Individuals Who Operate and Manage Ohio LLCs,” NGC Legal Insights (Winter 2017)
• Author, “New Legislation Defines the Fiduciary Duties of Officers of Ohio Corporations and LLCs,” NGC Legal Insights (Summer 2016)
• Author, “Know the Rules, Restrictions of Planned Communities,” NGC Legal Insights (Spring 2016)
• Author, “Utica Shale Landowners: How to Profit from Your Oil and Gas Leases,” NGC Legal Insights (Winter 2013-2014)
• Author, “Dealing with a Customer’s Bankruptcy: Recovering Goods Sold to an Insolvent Customer,” NGC Legal Insights (Summer 2013)
• Author, “Dealing with a Customer’s Bankruptcy: Defending against a Preference Claim,” NGC Legal Insights (Spring 2013)
• Author, “Dealing with Customers Headed for Bankruptcy,” NGC Legal Insights (Summer 2012)
• Quoted, “Getting What’s Owed,” Snow Magazine (Aug. 10, 2012)
• Quoted, “WorkWise: Small-Business Contracts May Enhance Revenue,” modbee.com (June 10, 2012)
• Author, “Strategies for Dealing with Financially Troubled Customers,” NGC Legal Insights (Spring 2012)
• Author, “Strategies for Dealing with Financially Troubled Customers,” NGC Legal Insights (Winter 2011-2012)

Speaking engagements

• Frequent presenter to continuing legal education seminars and trade groups
• Speaker, “Ethics and Disciplinary Actions in Disability Cases,” Social Security disability seminar, Charleston, S.C. (Oct. 1, 2012)
• Speaker, “Legal Writing and District Court Briefing,” Social Security disability seminar, Charleston, S.C. (Oct. 1, 2012)
• Speaker, “Negotiating Arbitration Provisions: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” Risk and Insurance Management Society Inc. 2012 Great Lakes Regional Conference, Cleveland (Sept. 13, 2012)