Jeffrey A. Fickes is Practice Co-Leader of Ballard Spahr’s Private Equity Group and a member of the firm's Expanded Board. He focuses on private equity transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate matters for businesses and investors throughout the United States and internationally.
Jeff brings decades of experience in business to his role as a trusted advisor to company owners, boards, and senior executives. He has served as lead counsel on domestic and international mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, private equity, venture capital, recapitalization, debt and equity financing, and other strategic transactions, as well as corporate governance and organizational matters.
Jeff has real-world business experience that provides him with unique perspective as a lawyer. He grew up in a closely-held business environment, and before entering private legal practice he held corporate financial management positions in both public and private companies. Jeff also is a serial private equity investor and has an MBA in corporate finance from the Fisher College of Business, where has was the Banc One Capital Fellow (awarded annually to the top Fisher College MBA finance student) and a member of Beta Gamma Sigma Honors Fraternity.
Experience
Representative Matters
As Lead Counsel, Jeff has represented:
- A private equity firm in the capital raise, acquisition, and financing of an international specialty gauge and sensor manufacturer
- A private equity firm in its capital raise, acquisition, and financing of a national specialty and truck vehicle body design and up-fitting service and product distribution company
- A global Chinese-headquartered public company, through its international California-based parts manufacturer, in a North American joint venture with a Mexican-based company
- An e-Commerce logistics software technology company in its Series A and Series B preferred venture capital investment rounds and $20 million Reg. D notes/warrants offering
Professional Highlights
Professional Activities
Association for Corporate Growth Executive Vice President and Board of Directors
American Bar Association Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity Committees
The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business Alumni Board
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Fellow
Recognition & Accomplishments
The Best Lawyers in America, Corporate Law, 2018-2023
Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer Review Rated
Board Memberships & Community Service
The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business Alumni Board
Association for Corporate Growth Executive Vice President and Board of Directors
United Way Tocqueville and Philanthropist Societies
United Way Corporate Fundraising Cabinet
Related Insights
Credentials
Education
Harvard Law School (Executive Education, Leadership of Law Firms)
The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law (J.D.)
The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business (MBA, Corporate Finance)
The University of Akron (B.S, Accounting)
Admissions
New York
Ohio
Texas