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Overview

The use of business structures designed to take advantage of flexible “pass-through” tax benefits afforded to certain entities under federal and state tax laws has increased significantly in recent years. This has resulted in the need for transactional attorneys capable of addressing the unique organizational and tax issues faced by partnerships, limited liability companies, joint ventures, and their partners and members.

Calfee attorneys are experienced in all phases of the formation, capitalization and fundraising, taxation, and governance of partnerships, limited liability companies, and joint ventures. Our attorneys have the experience and background to assist our clients in creating and managing business structures that most effectively meet their needs.

Noteworthy

Chambers USA Leading Law Firm Rankings

For more than a decade, Calfee has been recognized as a Leading Law Firm for Corporate/M&A by Chambers USA, most recently in Band 2 in Ohio: North and Band 3 in Ohio: South and Central (2024).

Clients provided feedback to Chambers USA researchers, "Calfee consistently generates exceptional outcomes for their clients. They are extremely responsive and meet tight deadlines. Their lawyers represent the client's best interests while also conducting themselves in a collegial and professional manner. They offer exceptional service levels. The firm has done an excellent job with some of our most difficult transactions and brings a business sensibility while protecting and mitigating our risk."

Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” Rankings

Calfee was selected for inclusion in the 2025 "Best Law Firms" rankings in the following areas:

  • Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law (Regional Tier 2 Cleveland)
  • Corporate Law (National Tier 1, Regional Tier 1 Cleveland, Regional Tier 1 Columbus, Regional Tier 1 Cincinnati)
  • Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law (National Tier 2, Regional Tier 2 Cleveland, Regional Tier 2 Cincinnati)
  • Tax Law (Regional Tier 1 Cleveland)

Professionals

Experience

Experience

  • Represented promoters of private equity/venture capital funds that raised in excess of $500 million in investment capital during the past three years.
  • Designed and documented joint venture arrangements between major national real estate investment fund and its management advisers, providing parties with desired tax benefits and decision‑making flexibility.
  • Formed numerous “fund-of-funds” entities for investment advisory firms, permitting the clients of such firms to invest in investment funds and ventures not otherwise accessible to them.
  • Represented Cleveland Tomorrow in connection with the formation and capitalization of three development partnerships that have provided funding for significant Cleveland development projects, including Gateway, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Browns Stadium, and over 25 downtown and neighborhood retail and housing projects.
  • Counseled clients regarding the formation of numerous family partnerships and LLCs, including handling tax issues and documentation requirements.
  • Structured and documented complex partnership distribution and contribution program to enable partners of real estate partnership to take advantage of tax‑deferred exchange provisions.

FAQ

FAQ

What Are the Advantages of Using a Limited Liability Company (LLC)?

An LLC provides the best of both the corporate world and the partnership world. Like corporation shareholders, the owners of an LLC (who are referred to as “members”) are insulated from liabilities for the debts and of the business. While most corporations are subject to a double layer of taxation (one at the entity level and a second at the shareholder level), LLCs generally are treated as partnerships for tax purposes, resulting in a single layer of taxation (at the member level). This combination of limited liability and “pass-through” tax treatment, together with the flexibility afforded to LLCs to tailor management and economic sharing arrangements to fit their business needs, makes the LLC the preferred choice of entities for many businesses.

News & Events

News

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"Calfee's Corporate and Finance practice draws from an impressive statewide team with a strong track record across a broad range of corporate and transactional matters, acting on behalf of public and private businesses and financial institutions. Areas of excellence include M&A, securities offerings, and private equity and venture capital fund formation. "

Chambers USA

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