Robert W. McDonald

Most recently, Rob joined the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Board of Directors. The Freedom Center is the preeminent cultural learning center for inclusive freedom. Rob also serves on the Board of the League of American Orchestras, a national organization that champions America’s orchestras and the vitality of the music they perform. Due to the global scope of Rob’s practice, Rob also serves on the Board of the Interlex Group, an association of leading law firms around the world. Within Ohio, Rob serves on the Executive Committee of InnovateOhio, the Board of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, and the Board of Main Street Ventures. Rob is the Immediate Past Chair of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and the Immediate Past President of the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) Cincinnati.

Rob received his bachelor’s degree from Duke University and his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. While an undergraduate, he completed comparative law course work at New College, Oxford University. He earned his J.D. from Washington University School of Law, and during his last term of law school, he clerked at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Rob grew up in the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Japan and Belgium.

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

Sports and Entertainment Law

• Representation of multiple NFL franchises with regard to significant commercial transactions; including stadium naming rights agreements, concession agreements, sponsorship/marketing agreements, sports gaming agreements, retail and merchandising agreements, media agreements, e-commerce agreements, and licensing agreements, etc.
• Representation of minority investor groups with investments in sports franchises; including MLS, MLB, MiLB, and NWSL franchises.
• Representation of concert venue owners and operators including related development of new and ground-up venues.

Fund Formation and Representation

• Lead counsel with fund formation of multiple venture capital and private equity funds and ongoing representation related thereto.
• Lead counsel with representation of new GPs with combined initial funds over $500mm in raised capital.
• Best Lawyers ® 2022 Lawyer of the Year in Cincinnati for Securities, Capital Markets Law

Venture Capital, Emerging Growth Company Representation and M&A

• Lead counsel to multiple venture and growth equity companies through the entire life cycle of formation, financing and exit.
• Lead counsel to large private (incl. family-owned and private equity backed businesses) with regard to sell and buy-side M&A.
• Best Lawyers ® 2023 Lawyer of the Year for Venture Capital Law

Research Institutions

• Counsel to top-ranked children’s hospital research institution with regard to venture and commercialization activities.