Richard Kalal

A Counselor to the Core

After becoming a full-fledged attorney, I was called upon to step in and help out a family business. Although this venture slowed down my legal practice for a bit, it gave me a renewed appreciation for all the work that goes into every aspect of running a business. This is a lesson I carry with me each and every day in my work.

Throughout my career, I’ve been a manager, a vice president, a president, a CEO, and a business counselor. With each role I’ve played, I’ve learned invaluable lessons — some the easy way, and some the hard way. My instinct has never been to keep this information from other businesspeople because, in truth, I prefer to base my professional relationships off of a mutually beneficial, fundamentally fair agreement. That’s why, I think, I was meant to be not just an attorney, but a counselor, too.

Experience Matters

Everything I do in my practice is about protecting my clients’ legacies. When it comes to protecting yours, experience really does matter. As a businessman myself, I truly appreciate how hard you’ve worked for everything you have. And as a bonus, I’m extremely knowledgeable about the ever-changing business world, as well as the laws and best practices encompassed within it.

To give you an idea of the extent of my services, here is a list of some of the significant agreements that I’ve drafted and/or negotiated on behalf of my clients over the years:

• Collegiate Licensing Agreement 
• Works for Hire Agreement
• Subordination of Landlord’s Lien
• Truck Lease Agreement
• Equipment Lease Agreements
• Confidentiality Agreements
• Consignment Agreements
• Sales Representative Agreements
• Employment Agreements
• Warranty Language
• Building Lease Agreements
• IT Consulting Agreements
• Customer Agreements
• Source Code Escrow Agreements
• Bailment Agreements
• Operating Agreements
• Bylaws
• Asset Based Lending Agreement
• Website Terms and Conditions
• Employee Policies and Procedures
• Restructuring Agreements
• Real Estate Purchase Agreement
• Acquisition Agreements
• Buy/Sell Agreement
• Vendor Agreements (international and domestic)
• Voluntary Surrender of Collateral Agreement
• Reduction of Personal Guarantees to Asset-based Lender

In addition, here’s a list of some significant transactions I’ve overseen:

• Purchase and Sale of Corporate Headquarters
• Purchase of Domestic Mfg. Concern
• Secured Asset-Based Credit Facility
• Spin-out of three divisions of $50+ Million-dollar company into 3 Separate Entities (extensive involvement by outside counsel)
• Negotiated multi-million-dollar real estate transaction
• Assisted in setting up new businesses, obtaining financing,  developing policies and procedures, negotiating leases, securing I.P., and negotiating vendor and customer agreements
• Negotiated business succession plan and buy/sell agreement
• Counseled high net worth client in establishing an integrated estate/business succession plan

Even if your particular circumstances aren’t outlined above, please don’t hesitate to give my office a call. I’m happy to answer questions and, whenever possible, help businesses flourish.

Bar Admissions

• Ohio Supreme Court, 2006
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, 2006

Education

• Juris Doctor, University of Akron School of Law, 2005 
• B.S.B.A. (Marketing), University of Akron, 1999

Professional Associations & Membership

• Akron Bar Association
• Ohio Bar Association
• American Bar Association

Business Experience

• Polytuf Brands, Inc., President/General Counsel, 2007-2014
• Schott International, Inc., VP Operations, 2000-2007

Volunteer Experience

• Small Entrepreneur and Economic Development (SEED) Clinic at the University of Akron
• V.A.L.I.D. Clinic
• Community Legal Aid