Overview
An experienced commercial real estate and franchise law attorney, Laura resides in Akron, Ohio, and represents clients across the country working for the offices of McDonald Hopkins as a Member in the firm’s Business Department and Real Estate Practice Group.
Laura’s expertise includes retail leasing, asset management, and corporate transactions. She utilizes her experience to counsel businesses in transition, helping structure and minimize transaction risk and providing legal support to complete transactions efficiently – whether a client is looking to grow or start a new endeavor. As someone well-positioned to advise on a broad range of legal and business issues, Laura’s practice includes working with corporate clients, governmental and quasi-governmental entities, and government-regulated industries, including conveyancing, financial services, property transfer, and condominium and association matters. She has specific experience advising park districts and public utilities on the acquisition and disposition of property as well as the preservation of public opinion in protecting property rights and preserving productive property uses.
In addition to her real estate practice, Laura has additional expertise in franchise law, helping owners and operators of quick-service restaurants and other franchisees through the full range of legal and regulatory issues they encounter, from drafting and negotiating franchise, purchase and sale agreements to raising capital, responding to franchising challenges, and other operational issues. Laura also helps her franchise clients acquire and dispose of real property and other assets and works to secure the funding clients need to finance acquisitions and operations.
Laura earned her J.D. and MBA from the University of Akron, and her B.A. from Oberlin College.
Representative Cases & Matters
- Secured financing in excess of $40 million to fund a franchisee’s growth and refinance of debt as well as the separate sale of restaurants owned by long-time franchisees.
- Navigated the successful acquisition of property for a park district that enhanced services available to the public and advised on cooperative arrangements with public utilities to further public uses.
- Structured a transaction that involved the successful upgrade of utilities systems for a homeowner association and ongoing advising related to the needs of the homeowner entities.
Honors & Recognition
ATHENA Akron Young Professional Award Recipient (2017)
Women’s Network Emerging Leader Award (2017)
Women’s History Project, Woman of the Year Award Recipient (2015)
Recipient of the Greater Akron Chamber’s 30 For The Future Recognition (2014)
Spring Garden Waldorf School Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient (2014)
Credentials
Education
University of Akron School of Law
University of Akron
Oberlin College
Admissions – Court
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit
Admissions – State
- Ohio
Professional & Civic
Professional Activities
Akron Bar Association
Ohio Bar Association
Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), Greater Akron Chapter
Ohio State Bar Foundation, Fellow
FDCC Ladder Down Program
Community Involvement
Akron Community Foundation, Institute for Emerging Philanthropists, Inaugural Class Member
Downtown Akron Partnership, Executive Board Member
Summit County 2019 Charter Review Board, Commissioner
American Red Cross of Greater Akron and Mahoning Valley, Board Member
Lawyer to Lawyer Program, Ohio Supreme Court, Mentor
Keep Akron Beautiful, Board Member
University of Akron Law Alumni Association, Former Director and Special Events Committee Chairperson
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Summit and Medina Counties, Former Board President and Board Governance Chair
Summit County MetroParks, Café Task Force
Torchbearers Class of 2013, Community Leadership Project Co-Chair
Women's Network of Northeast Ohio, Membership Committee, Member
Accreditation
Title Agent
News & Insights
Events
Speaking Engagements
"Boards and Commissions - Selection and Service"- ATHENA Akron Leadership Forum, panel moderator (2018)