Professional Experience
Mr. Conroy has practiced law in Cleveland since 1974. Prior to joining Walter & Haverfield in 1996, he practiced with Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur from 1984 to 1995. While at Porter, Wright, he served as Partner-In-Charge of its Cleveland office. The first nine years of Jim's law career were spent at Weston Hurd.
Serving as general counselor and advisor to clients involved in many areas of industry and commerce in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors, Mr. Conroy has developed expertise and experience in many facets of business and commercial law. He also serves his clients by coordinating and overseeing their relationships with and work done by firm specialists in tax, ERISA, estate planning, litigation, labor and other specialized areas.
Areas Of Emphasis
Business Services
Mr. Conroy provides direct counsel and assistance to his clients through negotiation and preparation of all types of business and commercial documents and agreements. Included among these are: product or materials sale and purchase; builder or owner sale and construction; employment; product distribution; trademark licensing and royalty; buy/sell or cross-purchase; stock or asset purchase; joint venture; and non-compete/non-disclosure agreements. As an experienced practitioner, his practice also involves advisory and general counseling work with owners of closely-held, family companies. In this capacity, he works closely with company owners and employees in analyzing and responding to strategic and operational issues.
Jim also satisfies the desire of many of his clients to serve as their direct contact with the firm, thereby simplifying their relationship. In this regard he is able to maintain a close, one-on-one working relationship with principals while at the same time insuring effective, prompt and efficient delivery of legal services.
Sports Law
For the past ten years Mr. Conroy has served as outside general counsel to the Mid-American Conference. In this capacity he has represented the conference on a broad range of issues relating to media contracts, membership issues, league governance, personnel, bowl involvement. NCAA matters, licensing, venue agreements and general business issues.
Mr. Conroy's work in sports law is a natural extension of his lifelong interest and involvement in athletics. While at Ohio State he was a member of the football team, earning two letters and playing on the 1968 National Championship team. His background in golf resulted in his receipt of the Barton Scholarship, established by Jack Nicklaus and awarded annually to a student at the Ohio State College of Law. He has also served as a volunteer high school football coach from 2002 through 2005 and as a member of the Ohio State University Athletic Committee form 1985 to the present.
Professional & Community Associations
- David H. and Barbara M. Jacobs Family Foundation; Advisor
- The Ohio State University
- President, Alumni Club of Greater Cleveland
- College of Law National Advisory Counsel
- Hiram College; Board of Visitors
- First Merit Bank N.A.; Cleveland Advisory Board
- Lutheran High School West; Volunteer Assistant Football Coach
- Ohio and Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Associations
- Sports Lawyers Association of America
Education
The Ohio State University, J.D., 1974
The Ohio State University, B.A., 1971 (cum laude)
Licensed to Practice
- Ohio
- Federal district and appellate courts
AWARD & RECOGNITIONSAV rated by Martindale-HubbellPhi Beta Kappa The Ohio State University Alumni Service Recognition Award |
