Photo of David V. Croft

David V. Croft

Partner

Chair, Blockchain & Cryptocurrency

Chair, Cybersecurity

Chair, Business & Corporate

Experience

As a former General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer, David Croft offers a unique perspective on applying business law and understanding the needs of his clients. David’s practice includes counseling businesses and entrepreneurs throughout Northeast Ohio to launch new businesses and purchase or sell existing businesses, reviewing investment opportunities (both from an investor’s perspective as well as a business seeking investments), establishing internal governance mechanisms, developing agreements with customers and other businesses, preparing and negotiating business deals and contracts, and handling dissolution and liquidation matters. David also helps his clients determine and distinguish their market leverage and competitive advantages and then safeguards and defends the underlying intellectual property.

David brings extensive experience in the manufacturing industry and represents a diverse array of businesses, business owners, and entrepreneurs in industries ranging from software development, video games, and digital currency to fuel distribution, medical marijuana, and plastics manufacturing. He applies his legal acumen and business leadership skills to help guide executives and owners of companies of all sizes achieve their business goals.

As Chair of the Blockchain/Cryptocurrency practice group, David directs the firm’s multidisciplinary approach to representing clients in all aspects of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency, including smart contracts, tokenized security offerings, government regulation, inventions, trademarks, brand protection, trade secrets, copyrights, commercialization, mining, energy procurement and licensing.

An Ohio native, David enjoys spending time with and traveling to see family and friends, listening to and playing music, outdoor activities, and homebrewing.

Representative Matters

  • Represented a multi-million dollar fuel distribution company with review of software development agreements, credit applications and customer finance matters totaling more than $3 million.
  • Represented closely held real estate investment companies in the portfolio acquisition of multiple office buildings and real estate worth approximately $83 million.
  • Represented seller in the sale of a printing company to a private equity group for approximately $30 million.

Speaking Engagements

  • University of Dayton School of Law; 28th Annual Program in Law and Technology Seminar, June 2018; “Does Your Client/Business Need the Blockchain? Why or Why Not?”
  • Employer Resource Council (ERC), Highland Heights, Ohio, October, 2018; “Ask the Expert: Cybersecurity Awareness and Prevention”
  • Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network (MAGNET), Cleveland, Ohio, State of Manufacturing: Important Trends Affecting Northeast Ohio Manufacturers, November 2018; “Blockchain is here, and Your Company Better Be Prepared”
  • Blockland, Cleveland, Ohio; Blockland Solutions Conference, December, 2018; “Who Needs Blockchain and Why?”

Civic and Professional Involvement

  • Crain’s Cleveland Business 2022 Notables in Law
  • Ohio Super Lawyers, 2022 & 2023
  • American Bar Association, Section Advisor to the Uniform Law Commission Study Committee on Use of Tokens or Other Similar Products in Real Property Transactions
  • Advisory Board, Program in Law & Technology (PILT), University of Dayton School of Law
  • Ohio State and Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Associations
  • Ohio State Bar Association, Subcommittee on Medical Marijuana
  • Cleveland Christian Home, Board of Directors
  • American Cancer Society
  • Knights of Columbus
  • Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts of America

Bar Admissions

  • Ohio

Education

  • University of Toledo (BA, Psychology)
  • University of Akron School of Law (JD)
  • University of Akron College of Business Administration (MS, Taxation)

Videos

Blockchain Does (or Will) Affect Your Business
Data Breach Horror Stories (And What We Can Learn From Them)