Edward F. Smith

Partner

Ed is a Partner in the firm’s Business Practice Group. Ed brings more than three decades of experience representing clients in a wide range of business and transactional matters. His practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, corporate and transactional law, real estate, and non‑bankruptcy restructurings. He also has significant experience in franchise law and regularly counsels entrepreneurs, emerging companies, and startup businesses on formation, compliance, strategic planning, and growth.

Ed has extensive experience across the full life cycle of commercial, office, and industrial real estate projects, advising clients on acquisitions, development, operations, financing, and dispositions. His practice includes representing national tenants in complex leasing transactions across a wide range of retail, restaurant, and service‑sector uses. Ed also counsels both borrowers and lenders in diverse commercial real estate finance matters, including life company, CMBS, and bank loans, as well as SBA 7(a) and 504 programs, Historic Tax Credit structures, PACE financing, and tax‑exempt bond transactions.

Throughout his career, Ed has been dedicated to helping business owners and leaders define their objectives and achieve meaningful, sustainable results. He is known for his practical insights, strategic problem‑solving, and commitment to building long‑term client relationships.

AWARDS & HONORS

  • The Best Lawyers in America®

PROFESSIONAL & CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

  • Goodwill of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio, Inc.
    • Board Member 2022 – present
    • Finance Committee; Strategic Planning Committee
    • Vice Chairman 2026 – present
  • City of Cortland Ohio Civil Service Commission 2024 – present

Edward F. Smith

Partner

Akron

EDUCATION

  • Case Western Reserve University School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 1988)
  • Washington University in St. Louis (A.B., cum laude, 1984)

ADMISSIONS

  • Ohio

Experience

  • Represented seller of a food manufacturing business in $250 Million sale to a privately held Canadian food manufacturer
  • Represented the purchaser of the coated films division of a multinational chemical company, including domestic and international manufacturing facilities, in a $230 Million transaction
  • Represented the seller of an aluminum extrusion company with a transaction value more than $100 Million
  • Represent Tier One automotive supplier in customer contract negotiations and real estate transactions
  • Represent several real estate developers in all facets of commercial development. Transactions include acquisitions of regional malls, warehouses and shopping centers. Recent transactions include:
    • $45 Million Amazon warehouse acquisition and financing
    • $32 Million acquisition and financing of a 130-bed assisted living facility
  • Represented several software startups with organizational and operational issues, and pre-seed, seed, and series A funding rounds

Akron, OH – February 23, 2026 – Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLC is pleased to welcome Edward F. [...]