Aaron S. Berke

Aaron is a partner in the Vorys Akron office and a member of the corporate group.  He regularly represents issuers, underwriters, developers and conduit borrowers on tax-exempt and taxable borrowings to support their projects.  In addition, Aaron counsels developers, operating companies, political subdivisions and investors on utilizing tax credits, economic development incentives, abatements, economic development financing mechanisms, public-private partnerships and special economic development entities to assist in the development and redevelopment of property and the creation of jobs and economic growth.

Representative transactions include:

• Represented the developer in a multi-layered, public-private partnership financing transaction that won Central Ohio NAIOP’s Most Creative Deal Structure award.  The transaction included three public bond issuances, complex easements, and TIF and CRA incentives to support the construction of the first phase of a $100M+ mixed-use project called The Pointe at Polaris.
• Represented an operating company in the redevelopment of an approximately 20 acre urban brownfield site through a joint venture with a developer into a mixed use site including the company’s world headquarters, other office buildings, community space, an amphitheater, apartments and more; securing various funding methods including TIF, CRA, JobsOhio grants and loans, City grants and brownfield funds

• Represented a port authority in connection with the issuance of bonds and tax increment backed notes to finance the construction of airport facilities

• Represented an underwriter in connection with the issuance of tax increment backed bonds to finance the redevelopment of a public parking garage supporting approximately 260,000 square feet of office development and 290,000 square feet of retail development

Honors & Recognitions

Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Bonds/Government Finance, 2005-2006, 2010

The Best Lawyers In America, Economic Development Law, 2022-2025; Project Finance Law, 2023-2025; Public Finance Law, 2024-2025

Professional & Community Activities

Anti-Defamation League Cleveland Regional Board Member, 2016 to present