Full service business firm Thompson Hine was founded in 1911 in Cleveland. It has since opened offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, New York and Washington DC. 

Focusses / specialisms

Looking at the firm’s strengths geographically within the states, it maintains its strongest presence in Ohio, where it is a top tier firm in banking, M&A and restructuring and insolvency. It operates largely in the middle-market, representing public small to mid-size companies, as well as larger private companies.

The banking and finance group represents both lenders and borrowers in term loans, credit facilities and construction financing matters.

The firm’s M&A group represents private equity and strategic acquirers and sellers in acquisitions and mergers in a large variety of industries.

The restructuring and insolvency team represents creditors, trustees and debtors in out of court financial restructurings and Chapter 11 and 7 restructuring and insolvency cases.

In terms of sector focusses, the firm has a well-known dedicated real estate practice. The team represents property developers, managers and investors in all aspects of real estate including development, acquisition, financing and disposition.

The firm’s has been recognised for its diversity and inclusion initiatives, especially regarding equality for LGBTQ and women employees.

Key clients

Key clients for the firm include Home Depot, KeyCorp, Buckeye Power, Keybank, CIBC, Bank of America, Singleton, NRG Energy, Bay Point Advisors, Pratt & Whitney, Bank of China and Brookfield Asset Management.

Research period review: 30th edition (2019/2020)

In the research period the firm was active in banking and finance, M&A, real estate and restructuring and insolvency.

The banking and finance team represented both borrowers and lenders in term loans and credit facilities. Some of these transactions related to larger construction financing matters.

The M&A team represented a mix of private equity and strategic acquirers and sellers largely in the life sciences, industrial, automotive, manufacturing and technology industries. It was mostly on the buy side of acquisitions.

The real estate team represents a large amount of developers regarding commercial, residential and industrial property development. Many of these transactions had a relevant M&A portion as well. 

The restructuring and insolvency team largely represented creditors and lenders in out of court financial restructurings. It also worked on a couple of DIP acquisitions.

Recent lateral moves saw the M&A team hire DC partner Owen Pinkerton from Morris Manning & Martin and the restructuring and insolvency team hire partners John Bae and Sean Gordon from Baker Botts and Greenberg Traurig, respectively. Bae is based in New York and Gordon is based in Georgia. The banking and finance practice, meanwhile, recruited New York based senior counsel Tarnetta Jones from Otterbourg. This research period also saw the departure of Georgia based partner John Isbell.

Deal highlights: 30th edition (2019/2020)

Brookfield Property Retail $1 billion redevelopment of NewPark Mall

Cintas Corporation No. 2 $1 billion revolving credit facility and $200 million term loan with a $250 million accordion option

Centre Lane Partners $104.5 million acquisition of assets of Hollander Sleep Products

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company TireHub joint venture with Bridgestone Americas