Jon R. Stefanik

Partner

I am a business attorney with a strong tax background. I represent privately-held companies, individual business owners and emerging growth companies. My clients seek my counsel on a wide range of general business matters, but my focus is in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and business succession planning.

I work closely with my clients to understand the issues that are important to them, and those that aren’t, so that I am able to maximize returns on my drafting and negotiating efforts. Because tax issues are pervasive in virtually all business endeavors, clients value my tax experience and training, as I am uniquely positioned to assess tax issues and opportunities at every step of the agreement drafting and negotiation process.

No matter the business need or issue, I am committed to my clients’ success. I keep the best interests of my clients at the forefront when approaching the various legal issues that are so prevalent in today’s business world.

 

AWARDS & HONORS

  • The Best Lawyers in America® 
  • Crain’s Cleveland Notable M&A Dealmakers
  • Dr. Frank L. Simonetti Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Akron College of Business (2023)
  • Best Lawyers in America® ‘Lawyer of the Year’
  • 30 for the Future Award by the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce (2011)
  • Ohio Super Lawyers®
  • Ohio Super Lawyers® – Rising Stars™
  • University of Akron Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award (2015)
  • Ernest Karam Award for Academic Excellence
  • Beta Gamma Sigma Outstanding Graduate Student Award

PROFESSIONAL & CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

  • American Red Cross, Greater Akron and Mahoning Valley Chapter, Board Member
  • Akron Tax Club, Board Member
  • Leadership Akron, Class XXVII

Past Affiliations

  • ACCESS Inc., Board Member
  • Torchbearers, Board Member
  • Akron Bar Association, University of Akron Liaison Committee, Chair
  • Akron Roundtable, Board Member and Past President
  • Project Learn of Summit County, Board Member
  • Akron Tax Club, Past President

Presentations & Publications

Presentations:

  • “Liability Sharing and Disguised Sales: The Proposed Regulations,” University of Akron National Tax Conference (2014)
  • “Partnership Allocations,” University of Akron National Tax Conference (2012)
  • “Recourse and Nonrecourse Liability in Partnership Agreements,” Stafford Legal Webinars (2012)
  • “Federal Income Tax Developments,” Akron Tax Club (2011)
  • “Choice of Entity and Federal Taxation Issues,” Akron Global Business Accelerator (2010)
  • “Taxation of Carried and Profits Interests,” University of Akron National Tax Conference (2010)
  • “Transaction Structuring: Avoiding Potential Pitfalls,” Akron Tax Club (2010)
  • “Selected Issues in Private Equity Acquisitions: A Case Study,” Akron Tax Club (2008)

Publications:

  • “Don’t Forget the Buy/Sell Agreement,” Crain’s Cleveland Business Blog (2015)
  • “Allocating Recourse and Nonrecourse Liabilities under Subchapter K,” Journal of Taxation and Regulation of Financial Institutions (2013)
  • “Fisher and Price: The End of Annual Exclusion Gifts of FLP Interests, or Mere Child’s Play?,” Taxes- The Tax Magazine® (2011)
  • “Joint Committee Refund Review: Twelve Questions to Consider,” Journal of Tax Practice and Procedure (2008)
  • “Crew 4 You, Inc. v. Wilkins: The Ohio Supreme Court Misapplies Statute and Precedent to Eliminate the Resale Exception to Sales of Employment Services,” Akron Tax Journal (2007)

Jon R. Stefanik

Partner
Business Practice Group Leader

Tel: 330.643.0209

Fax: 330.643.0209

Akron

3800 Embassy Parkway
Suite 300
Akron, OH 44333

EDUCATION

  • The University of Akron School of Law (J.D., summa cum laude, 2007)
    • Co-Valedictorian
  • The University of Akron (MTax, 2007)
  • The University of Akron (B.S., summa cum laude, 2004)

ADMISSIONS

  • Ohio
  • U.S. Tax Court

Associations

  • Akron Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
    • Taxation and Business Law Sections
  • Ohio State Bar Association
    • Taxation Committee

PRACTICE AREAS

•
•
•
•

Experience

  • Focuses practice on general business and corporate matters, including related tax planning and consulting
  • Tax practice experience includes analysis of a wide range of tax issues, including issues related to LLC and partnership taxation, estate and gift taxation, corporate taxation and state and local taxation
  • Business practice experience includes assistance with entity formations, start-up ventures, software licensing arrangements, contract drafting and buy and sell-side mergers & acquisitions representation

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS:

  • Represented early stage software client in receiving multi-million dollar Series A and Series B preferred equity investments.
  • Represented start-up company in multi million dollar convertible debt bridge financing round.
  • Regularly advise wealth management client in multi-million dollar strategic asset acquisitions.
  • Regularly advise public accounting firm client in multi-million dollar strategic asset acquisitions.
  • Regularly advise national disaster restoration business client in roll-up acquisitions throughout the US.
  • Represented client in tax-free split up of professional services corporation into two separate corporations to facilitate a split of conflicting shareholder groups.
  • Represented client in acquisition of software company competitor via asset purchase.
  • Regularly represent clients in the sale of their businesses to strategic and financial purchasers.
  • Regularly advise national real estate group in structuring capital stack and distribution waterfall for each LLC formed to acquire property.
  • Represented family office client in the acquisition of a controlling interest in a global restaurant concept.
  • Represented S corporation client in contribution of appreciated assets to a newly-formed LLC co-owned by an institutional investor, with a simultaneous partially liquidating distribution to S corporation. Structured as a part-sale/part-contribution resulting in significant tax deferral.
  • Restructured an S corporation client prior to sale so that unwanted assets could be distributed tax-free and buyer could purchase stock while receiving asset sale treatment for tax purposes.
  • Represented a management group in the sale of their investment in a private LLC on a favorable tax basis while reinvesting in the successor company on a tax-free basis.
  • Regularly advise clients in the negotiation of various commercial contracts, including Distribution Agreements, License Agreements, Non-Disclosure Agreements, and Joint Development Agreements.
People applauding behind a blurred background with the Buckingham "b" in front.

Stefanik, Vrabel, Ellis named Crain’s Cleveland Notable M&A Dealmakers

  • Dustin J. Vrabel, Michael A. Ellis, Jon R. Stefanik
  • August 25, 2025
  • 1 min, 30 secs

We are proud to announce that Jon Stefanik, Dustin Vrabel, and Michael Ellis have been recognized as Crain’s [...]

Read more
A brown wooden gavel sits on top of a pile of new one-hundred-dollar bills.

Is Your Lawsuit Tax Deductible? | How to know when it is, and isn’t, deductible

  • Jon R. Stefanik
  • May 15, 2024
  • 4 mins, 35 secs

The costs associated with hiring attorneys, defending a lawsuit, and paying for damages or a settlement can be [...]

Read more