Tony Kington

With more than 30 years of experience serving a variety of businesses in central Ohio, Tony advised and served as general counsel for family-owned businesses. Providing a strategic and tailored approach to client business objectives, Tony oversaw legal compliance for C-level executives on business needs, including the establishment of advisory boards, control issues, governance, succession planning, and wealth transfer.

Tony served as counsel for a Chapter 11 Debtor in possession, as counsel to creditors’ committees in bankruptcy proceedings, and engaged in restructurings of distressed companies outside of the bankruptcy process. He was a member of Taft’s Distressed Company Task Force, which was created to assist borrower clients in every way during the COVID-19 pandemic, including how to navigate discussions with their lenders and in addressing concerns over suppliers and stakeholders.

Tony represented companies, individuals, and business owners involving:

• Wealth transfer, estate, and gift tax planning.
• Business succession planning.
• Corporate and business law.
• Mergers and acquisitions.
• Securities financing and private placement.
• Structuring renewable and other energy projects.
• Commercial real estate transactions.

Tony routinely counseled clients regarding entity selection, formation, and governance. He also provided counsel on capitalization and financing, including loan documentation, private equity, private placements and dispute resolution among business owners, including owners of minority interests.

• Frequent lecturer to the general public and to attorneys, primarily on estate planning and business succession issues
• “Private Companies Should Heed Sarbanes-Oxley Act” Columbus Business First, July 1, 2005
• Author: “Succession Planning for the Family Business. Does Your Business Have Long-Term Care Insurance?” CWS Newsletter, Vol. 2, 2009
• Author: “Important Tax Provisions for Business Owners” CWS Newsletter, Vol. 3, 2010