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Since 1999, I have been a transactional attorney focusing on corporate and business counseling, corporate and commercial transactions, succession planning, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, entertainment and sports law, labor and employment and commercial litigation.  I serve as general business and transactions counsel for small and mid-sized growth-oriented businesses, individuals and nonprofits throught Ohio and Florida.  I am regularly engaged in negotiating a wide variety of business and commercial agreements as well as conseling clients in the areas of corporate governance, strategic start-up planning and implementation, minimization of risk, litigation, litigation management and avoidance.

Steve Petras practices international business transactions as a partner in the Business Practice Group.  He has facilitated commercial and corporate transactions in most countries throughout the world. When representing companies seeking to expand operations in foreign jurisdictions or in business transactions with parties from different countries, Steve seeks to create effective and efficient corporate and tax structures and enforceable agreements in the multiple jurisdictions involved. Furthermore, he advises on the compliance of the business activities and the parties with the applicable U.S. and foreign laws and regulations. Steve has deep experience representing clients in the manufacturing and technology industries, where his technical background and interest enables him to better fit the transaction with the underlying technology of his clients’ businesses.. Steve has led BakerHostetler’s International Industry Team since 1998. He is actively engaged in the international community of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio having served as the President of the Greater Cleveland International Lawyers Group, Chair of the International Section of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Chair of the Board of the Cleveland Council on World Affairs, and President of the Cleveland World Trade Association.  He is an Adjunct Professor in the International LL.M program of Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Dedicated to increasing international business in the United States and Ohio, Steve has been appointed by the US Secretary of Commerce as a member the Northern Ohio District Export Council and by Governor Voinovich as an Ohio Commodore.  He is a member of the Board of Directors of the World Affairs Councils of America.. Experience. -      On behalf of The Clinton Foundation’s HIV/AIDS Initiative, negotiated agreements for supply of antiretroviral medicines to treat adults and children suffering from or living with HIV/AIDS in the numerous developing countries of that program. These agreements covered the supply of drugs by pharmaceutical companies as well as the supply of testing equipment and supplies by the biomedical equipment manufacturers.  These agreements and the infrastructure created enabled millions of people to receive life-saving treatment.. -      Involved in structuring working capital financing transactions for the mining and delivery of natural resources using innovative security and payments methods.  This structure enabled the client to provide working capital on trade-by-trade basis at very low risk but significant revenue.. -      Numerous international mergers and acquisitions spanning the transaction value range from nominal to over US$ Billion.. -      Prepared major sourcing and outsourcing agreements enabling expansion of operations to India, the Philippines and other countries.. -      Prepared numerous international joint venture agreements for manufacturing, software development, marketing, research and other purposes for client business expansion into China, Brazil and other countries.  These projects cover various technologies, products, and services including automobile parts, appliance components, food products, machinery, environmental remediation equipment, and others.. -      Established U.S. operations for foreign companies through new entities, startup operations, joint ventures, and other arrangements, including selection of available incentives.. -      Performed international coverage analysis of reinsurance and insurance issues concerning large losses caused by such things as legal compliance failures and product defects.. -      Prepared product representation and distribution agreements across the world for technology-based clients, including the auto, medical, life sciences, machinery, gearing, software, housing, plumbing supply, aviation, and numerous other industries.. Recognitions. -      Alpha Kappa Epsilon International Business Honor Society (2005 to present). Memberships. -      . Law Institute: Executive Committee. -      Ohio Commodore: Appointed by Governor Voinovich (1996). -      Cleveland Council on World Affairs: immediate past Chair of the Board. -      Cleveland World Trade Association: past president. o   World Trade Center of Cleveland: Advisory Board. -      Greater Cleveland International Lawyers Group: past president. -      Northeast Ohio International Business Network: Founding Board Member. -      United States Department of Commerce: Northern Ohio District Export Council member. -      American Bar Association: International Law Section. -      Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association: International Law Section, past Chair. Community. -      Cleveland State University James J. Nance College of Business Administration International TRADE Program: Advisory Board. -      Case Western Reserve University School of Law: Society of Benchers, Member. -      MetroWest Kiwanis Charitable Foundation: Chairman

I specialize in assisting Ohio and Colorado businesses operating in or seeking to enter heavily regulated industries, including cannabis/hemp, hospitality, and alcohol/liquor.

Yasir Billoo is an experienced attorney whose experience ranges from representing large Fortune 500 companies in complex litigation and appeals in state and federal court, to helping small business owners with simple agreements and legal consulting. While earning his Juris Doctor, he was a member of the Jessup International Law Moot Court team and on the Board of the Journal of International and Comparative Law. A native of Karachi, Pakistan, Yasir, speaks English, Spanish, Urdu, Hindi and Memoni.. Prior to practicing law, Yasir managed the finances of a group of Central American companies, handling complex international financial transactions. Yasir also served as a Hearing Officer for Miami-Dade County’s Commission on Human Rights, where he presided over appeals of initial determinations in cases where discrimination is alleged.. Yasir is also a Member of the prestigious invitation-only International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC). IADC has been serving a distinguished membership of corporate and insurance defense attorneys and insurance executives since 1920. The IADC membership is comprised of the world’s leading corporate and insurance lawyers and insurance executives. They are partners in large and small law firms, senior counsel in corporate law departments, and corporate and insurance executives. Members represent the largest corporations around the world, including the majority of companies listed in the FORTUNE 500.

Experienced transactional attorney and litigator. Legal practice focuses on employment matters, business consulting, business transactions, real estate transactions, and a variety of litigation matters. Received Bachelor of Arts from the University of Miami in 2007 and Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law in 2010.

Travel, reading, leisure sports, and life complete my profile.

Mr. Tables started his legal career with the Miami Law Firm Stolzenberg Gelles & Flynn located on Brickell Avenue. While at Stolzenberg Gelles, Mr. Tables practiced in the real estate and commercial litigation department handling quiet title actions, representing lenders in foreclosure actions (both commercial and residential), commercial landlord/tenant actions and all other areas of real estate litigation. Mr. Tables left Stolzenberg Gelles in 2012 to start his own firm Tables Law Group.