Overview

Scott is a member that specializes in providing comprehensive legal counsel tailored to the dynamic worlds of esports, gaming, and traditional sports, with a keen focus on player representation. His expertise extends across a spectrum of ordinary business transactions, including entity formation, contract drafting and review, buy-sell agreements, leasing, and commercial real estate transactions. Furthermore, Scott navigates clients through complex mergers and acquisitions, dispositions, and private offerings, ensuring their interests are protected every step of the way.

In the esports realm, Scott serves as a trusted advisor to entrepreneurs and individuals, leveraging his knowledge to facilitate contracts and negotiate deals that maximize opportunities within the rapidly expanding esports ecosystem. He adeptly manages, negotiates, and drafts a variety of agreements, including those with vendors, sponsors, media outlets, and leagues, positioning his clients for success in this dynamic industry. Scott’s real estate expertise encompasses representing developers, landowners, and tenants in sports real estate, focusing on the acquisition, ownership, development, leasing, financing, and disposition of commercial real estate properties tailored to the sports industry. With a particular emphasis on sports-related properties, Scott advises clients on a wide range of transactions, leveraging his practical business acumen and legal insight. Scott is instrumental in assisting owners with financing strategies for the acquisition, improvement, and rehabilitation of sports-related properties. His expertise spans various financing options, such as mezzanine financing, tax-incremental financing, opportunity zones, and federal historic rehabilitation tax credits, enabling clients to capitalize on investment opportunities in the sports real estate sector.

With a robust background in litigation, Scott is well-equipped to handle a diverse range of legal disputes, from commercial and general civil litigation to mediation, arbitration, and appeals before State and Federal Courts. His representation spans individuals, families, professionals, and businesses, providing steadfast advocacy at every phase of the legal process.

Scott's educational background includes a degree from Miami University (Ohio) in 1997 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Toledo College of Law in 2000. At Miami University, he served as president of the Equestrian Team, reflecting his enduring passion for equine pursuits, including thoroughbred horse racing and horse training. A dedicated member of the legal community, Scott is affiliated with the Ohio State Bar Association and the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, where he contributes his insights and expertise to furthering the profession. Outside of his legal practice, Scott leads an active lifestyle, balancing his passion for running, cycling, and swimming with cherished moments spent with his wife, Anna, and their two daughters, Morgan, and Zoe. Whether he s tackling household projects or enjoying quality time with family and friends, Scott embraces each opportunity with enthusiasm and dedication.

Representative Engagements

• Represented a professional Rocket League Player within one of the largest teams in the ecosystem, providing comprehensive legal counsel on player contracts, sponsorship agreements, and tournament participation, ensuring the player's interests were protected in a rapidly evolving competitive landscape.
• Provided legal representation to professional esports teams for over 15 years, offering strategic advice on team organization, player contracts, league regulations, and sponsorship agreements, contributing to the sustained success and growth of clients in the dynamic esports industry.
• Negotiated multi-year partnership arrangements between a professional esports team and a national brand, leveraging extensive industry knowledge and negotiation skills to secure mutually beneficial deals that enhanced brand visibility, revenue streams, and fan engagement for both parties.
• Advocated for a developer and stakeholder involved in the establishment of a large-scale sports center, navigating complex regulatory frameworks, zoning issues, and contractual negotiations to facilitate the successful development and launch of a state-of-the-art facility catering to diverse sporting and recreational activities.
• Handled lender finance documents for a large multi-sport facility, collaborating with financial institutions, developers, and investors to structure financing agreements, secure capital investment, and mitigate financial risks, ensuring the project's viability and long-term sustainability.
• Assisted NFL athletes in successfully establishing their businesses, providing tailored legal guidance on entity formation, intellectual property rights, contract negotiations, and business operations, empowering athletes to diversify their income streams and build sustainable off-field careers.
• Secured a multi-year brand deal for a sports facility through negotiation, crafting innovative sponsorship packages, activation strategies, and brand integration opportunities that maximized exposure, revenue generation, and fan engagement for the facility and its partners.
• Structured the capital stack for a large-scale esports facility, orchestrating complex financing arrangements, equity investments, and grant funding to fund facility construction, infrastructure development, and operational expenses, ensuring financial sustainability and long-term success.
• Resolved a multi-year property dispute over valuable shoreline property through negotiation, employing mediation, arbitration, and litigation strategies to achieve a favorable outcome for clients while minimizing legal costs, delays, and reputational risks.
• Represented the Chapter 7 Trustee in the multi-million-dollar liquidation of a multi-state corporation, overseeing asset valuation, creditor negotiations, bankruptcy proceedings, and asset distribution, maximizing recovery for creditors and stakeholders in accordance with bankruptcy laws and regulations.
• Acted as legal counsel for a seller in the large-scale acquisition of a contracting company with a sale price exceeding $10 million, conducting due diligence, negotiating purchase agreements, and managing transactional complexities to facilitate a smooth and successful sale process.
• Facilitated the sale of a regional contractor for over $15 million as legal representative of the seller, coordinating due diligence efforts, drafting sales agreements, and resolving legal issues to ensure a timely and lucrative transaction for the seller and all involved parties.
• Served as first chair trial attorney for a large rail car dispute, representing clients in complex litigation proceedings, including pre-trial motions, evidentiary hearings, and trial advocacy, achieving favorable verdicts, settlements, or judgments through rigorous legal strategy and advocacy.
• Led the legal proceedings for the liquidation of a multi-unit portfolio, overseeing asset sales, debt settlements, tax implications, and creditor negotiations to facilitate an orderly wind-down process and maximize value for investors, creditors, and other stakeholders.

Courts & Bar Associations

• Ohio Bar (2000)
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio
• U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio
• U.S. Court of Appeals Sixth Circuit
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court Northern District of Ohio
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court Southern District of Ohio
• Ohio State Bar Association
• Professional Honors & Awards