Jacob B. Derenthal

Partner

216.928.2933
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jderenthal@walterhav.com
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Overview

Learn about Jacob

As partner and Chair of Walter Haverfield’s Business Services Group, Jake focuses his practice on representing public and private companies, entrepreneurs, private equity firms, and financial and institutional clients in a broad range of corporate and securities transactions. He has extensive experience with matters involving mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity issuances, corporate restructurings, venture capital and angel investing, strategic alliances, and corporate governance matters. Jake also counsels management, directors, and shareholders in connection with entity formation, contract negotiation, operational and employment issues, commercial leasing, financing, and exit strategies. He is knowledgeable on transactions involving healthcare, manufacturing, technology, aerospace, real estate, and service sectors.

FOCUS AREAS

EDUCATION

St. John’s University School of Law, J.D.
University of Michigan, B.A.

LICENSED TO PRACTICE

Ohio

EXPERIENCE

SECURITIES

Represented medical device company in private placement of convertible preferred stock
Represented mezzanine investment fund in subordinated debt financing transactions
Represented management consulting company in issuance of common stock
Represented services company in issuance of subsidiary minority membership interests and private debt transactions
Represented food processing company in “down round” sale of preferred stock
Represented medical parts distributor in recapitalization, dividend, and issuance of securities to venture capital investors
Represented biotech company in issuance of senior preferred stock
Represented software development company with issuance of convertible preferred units

MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

Represented private equity fund in leveraged buyout of metal processing company
Represented public company in acquisition of polymer manufacturing division
Represented sellers and purchasers in healthcare practice acquisitions and dispositions
Represented aerospace parts manufacturer in asset sale to public company
Represented marketing design and distribution company in multiple add-on acquisitions
Represented online publishing company in sale to media group
Represented private equity firm in acquisition of physical rehabilitation services company
Represented privately held industrial equipment dealership in asset disposition
Represented healthcare company’s management team in negotiation of executive compensation and “roll over” of stock in private equity sale

ASSOCIATIONS

American Bar Association | Member
Ohio State Bar Association | Member
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association | Member
Griefcare Place Board of Trustees | Member
Greater Cleveland Partnership LEAD Program | Former Participant

PRESENTATIONS

Strategies for Negotiation and Drafting Vendor and Supply Agreements,” Northeast Ohio Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel, 2022
“Business Contracts: Top 10 Most Costly Mistakes – Price & Payment Obstacles,” National Business Institute, 2018
“Medical Marijuana Seminar,“ Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, 2017
“Selecting the Best Business Structure – LLCs, S-Corps, C-Corps and More” and “Forming Limited Liability Companies (LLCs),” National Business Institute Seminar (“Business Law: Start to Finish“), 2017
“Early Stage Business Structures, Compliance & Best Practices: Common Questions By Entrepreneurs,” Startup Lakewood – StartupU, 2013
“Business Contracts A-Z: Reviews, Drafts & Negotiations,” Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, 2013

Articles

FEATURING & RECOGNIZING Jacob

January 13, 2025

“ESOPs: The business succession solution,” Crain’s Cleveland Business (January 13, 2025)

January 24, 2018

Mitigating risk in M and A transactions

January 18, 2017

Company Succession Planning 101: Address basic questions before selling closely held business

January 18, 2016

Mitigate M and A risk through due diligence, deal structure and favorable terms