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Peter Rome has a passion for helping clients achieve their goals.

Peter is an enthusiastic dot-connector. He has more than 35 years of experience working with businesses of all sizes and stages, including emerging growth companies, entrepreneurs, family offices, business incubators and accelerators, venture capital and private equity firms, large middle-market businesses, and public companies.

Peter works with clients on strategic planning, debt and equity offerings, private equity and venture capital fund transactions, and securities offerings; executive leadership issues; board and governance counseling; executive and incentive compensation; corporate succession planning; business combinations, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic alliances; and exit strategies.

With a strong desire to make the world a better place, Peter devotes part of his practice to environmental, social and governance (ES&G) issues, where he works to create value for companies in connection with life sciences, agriculture, food and beverage, and sustainability, among others. Active in the community, Peter volunteers his time in furtherance of education, health care, families and children, and economic development.

Peter is ranked in Chambers USA in the area of Corporate/M&A (Ohio: North), where he is described by one client as “excellent.” Another client comments that “Peter is the best lawyer I have ever worked with. He has a great business mind as well as legal.” Others note that Peter is a “personable practitioner who is realistic in getting solutions to problems that work for both sides” and “a business-savvy lawyer who provides practical advice.”

Peter and his wife have five children, and he loves spending time with his family. He is a “casual foodie” who enjoys golfing, skiing, exercising, and listening to music. In high school, Peter turned down an invitation to see Paul McCartney in concert, including dinner backstage with Paul, in favor of studying for a history exam the next day – a rueful decision that illustrates that nobody is perfect.

Education
The George Washington University Law School (J.D., with high honors, 1984); Order of the Coif
Tufts University (B.A., magna cum laude, 1981)
State Admissions
Ohio, 1984
Federal Admissions
United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio
  • Represents a variety of corporate and other entities in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, financings, joint ventures, private equity fund transactions, securities offerings, venture capital transactions, going private transactions, due diligence with respect to transactions, technology transfers, executive and incentive compensation, succession planning, general business, commercial law matters, and regulatory compliance matters
  • Has served as General Counsel of numerous privately owned corporations, including many manufacturing and/or distribution businesses, life sciences companies, service providers, and e-commerce businesses
  • Counsels and nurtures start-up and emerging businesses, from the preparation of the business plan, to the organization and syndication of the venture, to the start-up and emerging business phase, and through the exit
  • Negotiates and drafts investment, finance, merger, acquisition, divestiture, employment, non-competition, consulting, management, indemnification, release, option, executive and incentive compensation, franchise, shareholder/close corporation, limited liability, partnership, joint venture, technology transfer, lease, licensing, distributorship and other agreements.
  • Has significant experience in strategic planning, governance, and corporate and other entity counseling

speaking engagements

  • “Starting Your Life Sciences Company,” CSSI Life Sciences, LifeX Labs Accelerator (April 2020)
  • Chambers USA
    • Corporate/M&A (Ohio: North) (2021–2024)
    • Corporate/M&A (Ohio) (2014–2020)
  • The Best Lawyers in America® (2011–2025)
    • 2022 Cleveland Lawyer of the Year (Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law)
  • Ohio Super Lawyers® (2006, 2010–2019)
  • Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® Peer Rating
  • Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
    • Securities Law Section
      • Chair (1997-1998)
      • Vice Chair (1995-1997)
    • Securities Council (1989-1992)
    • Securities Institute Planning Committee (1986-1992)
  • Ohio State Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
    • Business Law Section
    • Negotiated Acquisitions Committee
  • American Heart Association
    • Cleveland Metro Section
      • Board Chair (2005-2007)
      • Board Member (2003-2014)
      • Corporate Committee Chair (2003-2006)
    • Go Red for Women
      • Executive Leadership Team (2014-present)
  • Centers for Families and Children
    • Board Member (2003-present)
    • Development Committee (2003-present)
    • Executive Committee (2010-2012)
  • Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital, Board of Directors (2010-2014)
  • Cleveland Sports Commission
    • Board Member (2005-present)
    • Governance and Nominating Committee (2010-present)
  • Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE)
    • Leadership Council (1992-1994)
    • Small Business Development Center Council (1989-1995)
  • Friends of Breakthrough Schools, Founding Board Member (2011-present)
    • Governance & Nominating Committee (2012-present)
  • Friends of E Prep, Founding Board Member (2006-2011)
  • Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, Organization & Systems Development Group Intensive Training Program (2001-2002)
  • Hawken School
    • Fellow (1992-present)
    • Board of Trustees (1990-1992)
      • Development Committee (1990-1998)
      • Legal Affairs Committee (1992-1998)
    • Alumni Board (1986-1994)
      • President (1990-1992)
    • Alumni Annual Fund, Chair (1992-1996)
    • Class Parent Council (2002-2003)
  • Leadership Cleveland Class of 2005
  • Tufts University
    • Northern Ohio Tufts Alliance, Co-Founder
    • Tufts Alumni Admissions Program
  • United Way
    • Ohio – Downtown/South, Co-Chair (2008-2009)
  • VeloSano, Team Leader (2014)
  • Violins of Hope, Founding Board Member