Rick Cooper's practice areas encompass estate and succession planning, federal and state taxation, Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and other aspects of employee benefits law, representation of entrepreneurs and closely held corporations, and general corporate matters.
Principal practice areas
- Trust, estate and gift planning
- General corporate law
- Partnerships and limited liability companies
- Federal and state tax law
- Corporate succession planning
- Executive compensation and other employment arrangements
- Nonprofit organizations
- Real estate purchase and lease agreements
- Bank financing
Representative Cases
- Analysis and development of estate plans and lifetime gifting programs
- Analysis and preparation of wills, trusts and powers of attorney
- Organization of general and professional corporations
- Analysis and development of corporate succession plans
- Corporate and transactional tax planning
- Organization of family limited partnerships and limited liability companies
- Development and documentation of corporate structuring, restructuring, and financing transactions
- Development and documentation of buy/sell arrangements
- Development and documentation of employment arrangements, including deferred compensation arrangements and executive employment contracts
- Planning, negotiation and documentation of mergers and acquisitions
- Planning, negotiation and documentation of real estate purchase and lease transactions
- Representation of borrowers in bank financing transactions
Bar admissions
- 1977, Ohio
- Ohio Supreme Court (1977)
Career and educational background
- Became named partner of Nicola, Gudbranson & Cooper (1982); member (1982-present); managing member (2002-2008); associate (1977-1982)
- The University of Chicago Law School (JD, 1977)
- Honors: Phi Beta Kappa (1975)
- The Ohio State University (BA, social sciences and economics, magna cum laude, 1974)
Professional and civic activities
- Member, Ohio State Bar Association, Probate and Trust Law sections
- Member, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
- Member, Business Advisers of Cleveland
- Trustee, Trout Club of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
- President, Trout Club of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History (2016-2018)
- Trustee and secretary, Fairhill Partners for Successful Aging - 501(c)(3)
- Treasurer, Ohio Council of Trout Unlimited (2001-2004)
- President, Emerald Necklace chapter of Trout Unlimited (2000-2003)
- President, Cleveland Athletic Club (1996-97)
Speaking engagements
- Presenter, seminar in estate planning and charitable giving, Greater Cleveland Food Bank (May 23, 2018)
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