Overview
Experience
News
Professional

Overview

Steve represents property owners, lenders, and developers in the world of commercial real estate. He handles large, sophisticated real estate matters, as well as more routine sale and leasing arrangements. Steve has expertise in many types of real estate transactions, including acquisitions; development; sales and tax deferred exchanges of properties; formation of partnerships, limited liability companies, and joint ventures; financing arrangements; commercial leases; and condominium projects.

In the real estate financing area, Steve’s projects have included construction loans, permanent financing, and more specialized lending arrangements, such as non-recourse loans, conduit loans, housing tax credit projects, mezzanine financing, and other subordinate financing. In commercial lending, Steve represents both lenders and borrowers in a variety of secured and unsecured financings, including venture capital investments, and bond financing.

Steve serves as an advocate and adviser for closely-held businesses for general corporate matters as well as strategic and business management issues. Steve served as president and CEO of Coolidge Wall for more than 27 years. This experience and his exposure to a variety of businesses and non-profit entities provide Steve with a broad perspective to help clients avoid and solve legal and other business problems.

Steve is listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for Real Estate Law (1989-2025) and Banking and Finance (2015-2025) and was named Best Lawyers Real Estate “Lawyer of the Year” for the Dayton area in 2010. He also has been named a Super Lawyer® in Real Estate Law. Steve was selected by his peers four years in a row for “Best of the Bar,” a program sponsored by the Dayton Business Journal. He also was named in the Dayton Business Journal’s Who’s Who in Real Estate list for 2018 and 2019.

Recognition + Awards

Best Lawyers Real Estate "Lawyer of the Year" for the Dayton Area 2010

Super Lawyer® in Real Estate Law 2004-2011

Dayton Business Journal's Who's Who in Real Estate 2018 and 2019

Best Lawyers in America since 1989: Banking and Finance Law, Real Estate Law

Bar Admissions

Ohio, 1978

Education

University of Virginia School of Law, Charlottesville, Virginia
J.D. – 1978

Yale University
B.A. – 1974

Professional

Dayton Bar Association
Ohio State Bar Association
National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP)
Lawyers Club of Dayton

Community

YMCA of Greater Dayton, Board of Directors (1995 – present), Chairman (2002-2004)
Enterprise Ohio Investment Company, Board of Directors (1982-2024)
United Way of Dayton, Chairman of the Board (2015-2016), Board of Directors (2013-present), Campaign Committee (2008-2013), Vice Chairman (2014)
Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Board of Directors (1994-2000)
Miami Valley Venture Association, Board of Directors (1995-2006)
Yale Club of Dayton, Member of Schools Committee (1980-2005), Chairman (1995-2004)
Greater Dayton Rowing Association, Board of Directors (1990-2022)
Dayton Rowing Foundation, Board of Directors (1994-2022)
Widows Home Foundation, Board of Directors (1998-2001)

Our Practices

Our attorneys have experience in the issues that business owners and entrepreneurs frequently face:
For nearly every type of business, real estate is a crucial component of success. For property owners, managers, developers and construction companies, commercial property issues are an everyday facet of business, and skillful solutions to those issues are essential to success of the business. Even if your company is not directly involved in the real estate industry, your place of business — whether purchased or leased — is a critical investment.
At Coolidge Wall, we understand how intimidating business issues like organization, internal governance and contract negotiation can be. As a client, you can expect our corporate and business lawyers to become thoroughly familiar with your business goals and operations. We then draw on the full experience of a distinguished staff of attorneys to help you make wise decisions for your business — from incorporation onward.
Litigation is one of the most challenging aspects of legal practice, one that not every attorney is prepared to handle. Coolidge Wall's team of seasoned litigators have experience with all types of disputes: civil and administrative litigation, appeals, and even select criminal matters.
At Coolidge Wall, we believe that a company’s workforce is its most important asset. However, managing personnel issues and striking the balance between attracting talent and keeping workforce expenses manageable can be a difficult and delicate task. Employers can easily make mistakes that lead to litigation, overcompensation or morale difficulties. Our labor and employment attorneys are well acquainted with labor trends and employment law and use that knowledge to provide our clients with creative and cost-effective advice.
The Ohio workers’ compensation system fills a legitimate need and was designed for administrative convenience. But for businesses of all sizes, workers’ compensation issues can be a nightmare. Employers trust the workers’ compensation practice team at Coolidge Wall to provide informed counsel and competent representation regarding these important issues.
Tax is a universal issue for every business in the United States. The record keeping, planning and preparation that is necessary to keep your tax affairs in order and avoid paying more than you should touches every aspect of your operation.

Our clients trust the attorneys of Coolidge Wall with their important estate planning and probate needs.  Our team is experienced in all aspects of estate planning and probate law, including wills and trusts, estate tax planning, probate administration, and business succession.

Our extensive transactional and civil work in the private sector has provided our team of attorneys at Coolidge Wall with the knowledge and practical experience necessary to provide public sector entities with competent legal counsel for a wide range of issues.

Coolidge Wall is here
to serve your legal needs

Coolidge Wall offers a diverse array of legal practice areas and business insight for our clients. Let our history, reputation and knowledge work for your business-no matter where you are. Contact us to learn how we can contribute to your company’s success.
Contact Us