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Practices

Biography

Joe advises emerging and growth-stage companies, founders, venture capital investors and private investment funds on sophisticated corporate transactions and matters throughout the business lifecycle. His practice focuses on venture capital financings, including seed and NVCA-style preferred stock financings, mergers and acquisitions, fund formation, recapitalizations and other strategic transactions.

Joe also serves as outside corporate counsel to venture-backed and privately held companies, advising boards and management teams on corporate governance, equity and debt financings, commercial matters and other day-to-day legal needs. He regularly works with clients from formation through successive rounds of institutional financing and strategic transactions, bringing a practical, business-oriented perspective to both individual transactions and long-term client relationships.

Before attending law school, Joe spent five years as a commercial lender and credit analyst with community banks in the Greater Cincinnati area, experience that informs his approach to financing transactions and his understanding of the business considerations underlying his clients’ legal needs. Joe is also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and remains active in the veteran community, including advising veteran founders as they form, finance and grow their businesses.

 

Other Info About Joe

Work History

Prior Work Experience

Provided legal counsel to several global banks and private equity funds in a variety of fund finance and NAV facility transactions. Served as counsel to several venture-backed companies through formation and seed and priced-round financings. Assisted with the formation of three investment funds focusing on early-stage companies as well as mature-businesses and real estate holdings. Lead counsel to community bank in connection with the structuring, negotiation and documentation of construction financing for a ski resort.

Experience

Legal Work Highlights

  • Advised a venture-backed AI and spatial computing company in its Series B preferred stock financing.
  • Led multiple venture capital investments for an early-stage venture capital fund focused on technology-enabled businesses.
  • Advised a regional venture capital fund in its investment in a robotics and advanced automation company.
  • Served as outside corporate counsel to a venture-backed investment crowdfunding and financial technology company, including in strategic acquisitions, a recapitalization and convertible note financings.
  • Formed a second venture capital fund for an early-stage venture capital fund sponsor.
  • Counseled a venture-backed aerospace and hypersonic propulsion company in corporate governance and stockholder litigation.

Education

Law School

University of Cincinnati, J.D. 2019 cum laude

Undergraduate School

The Ohio State University, B.A. in English, 2011 cum laude

 

Bar Memberships

Joe is licensed to practice in the following state(s):

Ohio

Recognition

Local & National Recognition

Award Selection Methodology

Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America – Venture Capital, 2026-2027

Civic Activities

Civic & Charitable Organizations

Treasurer and Director of Wesley Chapel Mission Center

Major Publications

Joe is an author or contributor to the following publications:

“Three Critical Legal Mistakes Startup Founders Can’t Afford to Make,” The Licensing Journal, pub. by Wolters Kluwer, Jan. 2026

“Challenge Accepted: A Reconsideration of Regulatory Takings Jurisprudence Under the Privileges or Immunities Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment,” University of Cincinnati Law Review, Vol. 86, no. 4, Dec. 2018

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