Today Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich announces new additions to the legal team negotiating Hamilton County’s lease with the Cincinnati Bengals, doing legal work related to The Banks development and the eventual lease with the Cincinnati Reds.

Pillich asked the Board of Hamilton County Commissioners to retain the law firm Dinsmore & Shohl to represent the county’s interests related to the Paycor Stadium lease and The Banks. Pillich asked the board to retain the law firm Vorys , Sater, Seymour & Pease to represent the county’s interests related to the Great American Ball Park lease.

The Board of Hamilton County Commissioners unanimously accepted the recommendation.

“As a citizen I observed the difficulties of negotiations over the years,” Pillich said. “As prosecutor, it is my job to ensure the board of commissioners has all the tools they need. I added top attorneys to the county’s negotiation and legal team to ensure that happens.”

David Abrams, an investment banker with Inner Circle Sports, will remain the lead negotiator. Assistant Hamilton County Prosecutor Roger Friedmann remains a key part of the legal team, providing expertise, continuity and insight into the history of the lease.

“Now, let’s sit down at the table and get a deal done,” Pillich said.

About Dinsmore

With roots in the Queen City since 1908, and its headquarters just blocks from

Cincinnati’s riverfront, Dinsmore is devoting a team of attorneys with deep experience in economic development and familiarity with the challenges surrounding government and professional sports franchises. Additionally the firm’s lawyers are highly skilled in drafting leases.

Dinsmore partners George Vincent, Marty Dunn, Richard Tranter and Charlie Baverman will lead the effort.

The team at Dinsmore is excited for the opportunity to assist the Hamilton County

Prosecutor’s Office and Board of Commissioners in achieving their goals regarding the future of downtown Cincinnati.

About Vorys

Vorys, a full-service business law firm, was established in 1909 and currently has nearly 375 attorneys in 10 offices in Ohio, Washington, D.C., Texas, Pennsylvania, California, London and Berlin. The firm’s Cincinnati office opened in 1984 and has grown to be one of the largest law firms in the city, with more than 80 local attorneys.

Vorys has been named a “Best Law Firm” for real estate law nationally and in Cincinnati. Cincinnati Partner Kristin Woeste will lead the firm’s work for the County on this matter. Kristin leads the firm’s nationwide real estate practice and has decades of experience working on real estate leasing and financing transactions. She will be supported by Dan Bross, who has significant experience assisting property owners and developers in all aspects of real estate transactions. The team will call upon others within the firm with specific experience, focused on economic development and construction.

About David Abrams

Mr. Abrams has over three decades of experience as a lead investment banker and advisor for numerous public and private assembly facilities including the financing of stadiums, arenas, and other sports venues. He has advised on the funding for six NFL stadium projects and is presently working several other stadium and arena projects. He has represented many municipal and private sector clients in the funding or negotiations of over $10 billion of sports facilities.

Regarding the Bengals’ statement:

Hamilton County hired Inner Circle Sports (ICS) due to the firm’s national expertise in negotiating professional sports leases and helping secure favorable terms for taxpayers. The County’s lead contact, David Abrams, brings decades of experience with major league teams and communities, occasionally representing both in the same division. He has never been asked to recuse in the past.

Out of caution, a former ICS team member who had ties to the Cleveland Browns stepped away from any Hamilton County work and subsequently left the firm. That person is working for the Browns under a sub-contracting arrangement with ICS. Mr. Abrams has no involvement with the Browns, their stadium project and/or related matters. This was explained to the team and they were previously given Abrams’ contract and scope of work, which does not include any state lobbying.

ICS has maintained strict confidentiality and has not received or shared proprietary information involving the Bengals or the county. His discussions with the Bengals have been limited to high-level business terms and stadium-related issues.

The team and the county are currently discussing legal mechanisms to address any of the team’s concerns.

“I selected Mr. Abrams for his expertise,” Pillich said. “He’s a bulldog who will get a better deal for Hamilton County taxpayers.”