We are excited to invite you to our upcoming event focused on regulatory compliance and commercial leases, specifically tailored for small business owners. Join us for an informative session where expert attorneys will provide valuable insights into navigating the complexities of regulatory requirements and understanding the intricacies of commercial leasing. Whether you’re looking to ensure your business is fully compliant with local, state, and federal regulations, or you want to negotiate and manage your commercial lease more effectively, this event is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools you need. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain essential legal guidance and network with fellow business owners. We look forward to seeing you there!

*Please remember to bring a notepad and pen for note-taking during the event. Thank you!

Guest Speakers:
Sean Mangan | University Of Cincinnati College Of Law
Ian Thomas | Thomas Downing Law Firm
Jamir Davis| J. Davis Law Firm
Barrett Tullis| Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
James Kezele| Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
Jim Ludwig| Bricker Graydon Law Firm

Sean Mangan, University of Cincinnati College of Law
Sean Mangan is a Professor of Practice at UC College of Law, where he teaches transactional skills such as contract drafting, mergers and acquisitions, and client counseling. He also serves as the Director of the Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic, which provides free transactional legal services to small businesses and non-profit organizations within the Greater Cincinnati region.


Ian Thomas, Thomas Downing Law Firm
Ian is a Partner at Thomas Downing Law Firm. He has a passion for working at the intersection of law and business. In his real estate practice, Ian represents property owners, developers, and investors in a broad range of commercial real estate matters including acquisitions, divestitures, development, leasing matters, and real property reconfigurations. He also serves as a 1031 exchange Qualified Intermediary on behalf of TD Exchange Company LLC, performing tax-deferred real estate exchanges under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code. Ian specializes in advising his clients on the components and procedures necessary to operate their real estate holdings as business concerns. In his corporate and business organizations practices, Ian provides general counsel to privately-held businesses on a variety of issues including formation, commercial contract drafting and negotiation, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, shareholder agreements, business disputes, and succession planning. Ian specializes in putting the infrastructure in place for businesses to expand according to their principals' plans for growth.

Jamir Davis, J. Davis Law Firm 
Jamir Davis, a San Francisco native and Archbishop Riordan High School alum, excelled in both football and basketball, leading his teams to historic victories. He played football at the University of Kentucky, earning a Bachelor of Science in Communications in 2007, and a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling in 2008. Davis worked as Diversity Coordinator at Serra High School while attending law school at the University of San Francisco, where he interned with the Office of the Attorney General and clerked for two judges. After completing his Juris Doctorate in 2013, he became a Union Representative for Local 2240 in 2015 and was appointed Executive Director of the Office for Civil Rights and Small Business Development for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet in 2016.

Barrett Tullis, Keating Muething & Klekamp
Bear Tullis practices in the firm’s Real Estate Group and serves as the co-leader of the group. Bear’s work is primarily focused on real estate development, including acquisition, leasing, construction, financing, sales, as well as multi-family acquisition and development, and industrial development and leasing. Bear offers invaluable insights and practical advice to developers navigating the complexities of the real estate landscape and prides himself on providing practical, cost-effective legal counsel. As co-leader of the firm’s Real Estate Group, Bear brings a wealth of experience and leadership to his role. He is committed to providing tailored solutions and strategic guidance at every stage of the project, including addressing construction, title, real estate tax, and environmental issues as they arise. Bear also acts in a general counsel capacity for numerous firm clients, offering comprehensive legal support and ensuring their interests are protected. Bear understands the unique challenges and opportunities within the real estate industry and works to deliver cost-effective solutions that meet the diverse needs of our clients.

James Kezele, Keating Muething & Klekamp
James Kezele practices in the firm's Real Estate and Environmental Groups where he represents public and private companies and municipalities to ensure compliance with state and federal environmental laws and regulations. James routinely counsels clients through transactions involving the purchase and sale of contaminated properties and has significant experience evaluating environmental due diligence investigations including Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, and other regulatory due diligence. James also counsels clients through voluntary remediation and Brownfield redevelopment, including under Ohio’s Voluntary Action Program (VAP) and Kentucky’s Brownfield Redevelopment Program. James has significant experience counseling clients on the Clean Air Act and state air pollution laws as well as on the processes for applying for, negotiating the terms of, and complying with various environmental permits, including Title V permits, Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permits, and NPDES wastewater permits. James also advises his clients on environmental regulatory program specific to their businesses, and work with his clients to implement operational and compliance strategies. James also regularly works with clients to perform facility or programmatic environmental audits and prepare for facility inspections and develop regulatory responses. He also advises clients on mineral leasing.

Jim Ludwig, Bricker Graydon Law Firm
Graduate of UC College of Law In house counsel for Cleveland Construction Partner at Minnillo & Jenkins Arrived at Graydon (now Bricker Graydon) in June 2022 Provide general corporate support to multiple businesses across various disciplines Secondary classification in construction law Additional emphasis in commercial real estate, primarily tenant side lease negotiation Co-chair of Firm's Food & Beverage practice group