Five attorneys elected Bricker & Eckler partners for 2023

The law firm of Bricker & Eckler LLP recently elected five new partners of the firm: Nick Bass (Columbus), Brodi Conover (Lebanon), Jackie Lewis (Columbus), Casey Rieth (Columbus) and Matt Strayer (Columbus).

Nicholas I. Bass has a practice that focuses on the representation of financial institutions and real estate developers. He counsels clients on commercial real estate (CRE) lending transactions, such as acquisition, construction, and refinance loans for commercial office space and multifamily housing, Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) finance, commercial real estate development, C&I lending and structured finance transactions. Nick has experience drafting and negotiating complex financial documents, as well as purchase agreements, leasing agreements, easements and other general real estate contracts. He is committed to ensuring transactions close efficiently while minimizing risk to his clients. 

Brodi J. Conover assists clients with litigation and appellate matters, focusing primarily on the representation of government entities in a variety of complex litigation matters in state and federal court. Brodi has successfully represented public and private clients at all stages of litigation, including temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions, obtaining judgment on dispositive motions and prevailing in the courtroom at hearings and trial. Brodi also provides law director services to township, municipal and school district clients, particularly on Ohio Sunshine Laws, election law and constitutional issues. In addition, he has successfully litigated a wide variety of cases at the Supreme Court of Ohio, numerous Ohio courts of appeals and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. 

Jacquelin R. Lewis practices in the areas of public finance and public law, with an emphasis on school and local government law. She assists and advises with the issuance of general obligation and revenue bond and lease purchase transactions for municipalities, school districts and other political subdivisions and provides general counsel assistance to political subdivisions with respect to various issues of public law. In addition to her work in the bond financing space, Jackie works with public and private clients to negotiate economic development incentives and establish economic development programs, such as tax increment financing (TIF), new community authorities (NCAs) and community reinvestment areas (CRAs).

Casey L. Rieth is a construction attorney who focuses on both transactional and litigation matters. In addition to providing guidance on project delivery models, including construction manager at risk, design-build and general contractor, Casey prepares procurement and contract documents. She also negotiates construction project contracts on behalf of both public and private owners. Having been a part of many projects involving schools, libraries, health care systems and municipalities, she has worked with architects, developers, contractors and other key personnel to ensure each project is developed and carried out successfully. In the event that claims are filed and litigation arises, Casey represents owners, contractors and design professionals to reach a beneficial outcome. Additionally, Casey works with public and private owners in dealing with mechanic’s liens and assists in resolving bid disputes.

Matthew L. Strayer is a real estate and financing attorney with a balanced range of experience, which includes representing Fortune 500 lenders and national real estate investors in the hospitality and industrial warehouse industries, regional and community banks, and owners, investors and developers in retail and multi-family real estate and financing transactions. He represents construction and permanent mortgage lenders in new and restructured commercial loans and counsels other asset-based secured lenders on issues related to the Uniform Commercial Code. He also has represented real estate investors and lending institutions in complex transactions involving real estate portfolios with numerous properties and has experience representing landlords and tenants in relation to commercial leases.