Experience
Winning with Teamwork
Winning takes a team effort, and no relationship symbolizes this more than the one between Dinsmore and the Cincinnati Reds. From counseling Bob Castellini through the purchase of a controlling interest in the team in 2006 through negotiating sponsorships to protecting their intellectual property, including the famous handle-bar mustache of Mr. Redlegs, Dinsmore has become a go-to player for the Reds.
“We know we can depend on Dinsmore,” said Jim Marx, General Counsel of the Reds. “They have been by our side for more than a decade now, and we know we’re getting great value and great solutions when we come to them.”
With Dinsmore’s Cincinnati office sitting just a couple of blocks from where the Reds take the field, Marx knows the Reds can count on Dinsmore for any number of issues. Dinsmore’s attorneys have handled everything from negotiating facility leases for spring training to addressing workers’ compensation claims to counseling the franchise on community events, ranging from concerts held at Great American Ballpark to the annual Redsfest fan appreciation convention. Dinsmore’s close working relationship with the Reds enables our attorneys to identify problems before they arise, helping the franchise to focus their efforts on the field.
"One Source" for Shared Success
Growing, nurturing and providing fresh produce is not without challenges, from accounting for the weather to managing transportation to ensuring quality and safety. However, when those challenges cross over into the legal realm, Castellini Group of Companies knows they have a trusted partner in Dinsmore.
“Coordination is very important in our business because we have so many different facets that need to come together for success,” said Bill Schuler, President and CEO of Castellini. “Dinsmore understands that, and they work with us in a number of areas to make sure our business continues to thrive.”
Having started as a small fruits and vegetables supplier more than 100 years ago, Castellini has grown to become one of the largest produce suppliers in the country. Through it all, Schuler says Dinsmore has been by their side, advising on everything from real estate transactions and complex financings to corporate structure and supply chain matters to labor and employment issues. Drawing on a wealth of institutional knowledge, Dinsmore attorneys have provided the targeted counsel and insight Castellini has needed to continue to grow and evolve over the years.
Castellini’s success has been fueled by their motto of “One Source,” as they have become a one-stop-shop for their customers’ complete produce needs. Similarly, Dinsmore has become Castellini’s one source legal adviser and collectively we’ve been able to share success.
A Long History as Trusted Counsel
As one of the world’s largest and most trusted companies, Procter & Gamble has no shortage of legal needs. Whether seeking counsel on corporate strategy, navigating real estate transactions or protecting their shareholders’ assets, P&G relies on its legal counsel to keep its business running efficiently. That’s why, for nearly 100 years, the consumer products giant has turned to Dinsmore.
“Dinsmore knows our business and understands our culture,” said Debbie Majoras, Chief Legal Officer for P&G. “They remain a trusted ally for us because they are committed to our goals, our company’s success and meeting our legal needs. They bring tremendous value, and we enjoy working with them.”
Dinsmore works closely with P&G’s in-house lawyers to provide an array of services, from advising on all manners of contracts and agreements to corporate and securities counseling to handling real estate matters throughout the country. Dinsmore has also represented P&G in a variety of litigation matters over many years, including handling sophisticated product liability, class action, intellectual property and other complex commercial matters.
“Dinsmore is efficient and responsive, and we can count on great partnership and top quality work when we come to them,” said Majoras. “We truly value the special relationship we have built with them."
Acquisition of Global Space & Defense Manufacturer
Acquisition of Silicon Growing and Fabrication Assets
Counseling Castellini Group of Companies as They've Grown
A Clear Vision of Tomorrow
Dinsmore counsels Castellini through growth
Growth is often a double-edged sword for businesses. New markets and expanded capabilities often bring new personnel, ideas and approaches that impact everything from operations and service to culture. Remaining true to the original vision and goals amidst change is challenging. The ability to focus on company pillars can be a significant determining factor in the long-term health of any business.
Founded more than 115 years ago, Castellini has found a way to maintain a family atmosphere, even as they’ve transformed from a small fruit and vegetable supplier on the banks of the Ohio River to one of the country’s leading fresh produce suppliers. Through Castellini’s growth, which has included the addition of several smaller and related companies, Dinsmore has been at their side, counseling them through everything from their corporate structure to facility relocations and strategic acquisitions.
When Castellini’s headquarters on the riverfront was displaced, our team helped with the relocation effort, meeting with city and county officials on both sides of the river before securing their current site in Northern Kentucky. We’ve also assisted with a variety of real estate acquisitions and dispositions, handling everything from contract negotiations to executing the transactions, even settling an important eminent domain matter with Hamilton County.
As Castellini has grown through acquisition, we’ve been there to help integrate new entities into a corporate structure designed to help the company remain competitive while also protecting their interests. By providing a big-picture perspective, our attorneys have been able to advise Castellini about the short and long-term impacts of each acquisition, drawing upon our knowledge of their operations to fully analyze the risk and reward each opportunity posed.
Generations of Dinsmore attorneys have worked alongside Castellini’s leaders. By immersing ourselves in their culture, studying their operations, and more importantly, learning their challenges, we’re able to help Castellini maintain their vision and their place as one of the leaders in the produce industry.
Large Charitable Representation
Merger with McDonald Securities
Operating Assets Acquisition
Privacy Litigation
Sale of Air Pollution Control Company
Sale of Commercial Printer
Sale of DuBois Chemicals Inc.
Sale of High-end Printing Company to Consolidated Graphics, Inc.
Sale of National Third-party Administrator
Sale of Specialty Publisher
Structured and Organized the Business Foundation for a Minority Business Enterprise
Even with a clear vision and determined personnel, forming and structuring a new company presents plenty of challenges. Finding a niche in the marketplace, attracting and retaining clients, and building a solid foundation all are steps in the process that pose issues, and a company’s ability to navigate those issues is often the determining factor in its success.
When Carl Satterwhite, a former facilities manager at Procter and Gamble and Founder of Infinity Services, and Scott Robertson, owner of Globe Business Interiors, made the decision to create a minority-owned business enterprise focused on furniture distribution and resale, they quickly turned to Dinsmore. Our team worked with Satterwhite and Robertson to guide them through not only the minority business certification process, but also the structuring of their new company. Working with a new initiative at the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce called the Minority Business Accelerator (MBA), our team not only successfully formed River City Furniture - now known as RCF Group - but also helped RCF Group become the first joint venture facilitated by the MBA. While securing the MBE (Minority Business Enterprise) certification from the South Central Ohio Minority Business Council was a landmark step in the formation of RCF Group, our team also worked extensively to ensure that RCF Group was built to last based on the strength of its value proposition.
In terms of structuring RCF Group, our attorneys partnered with Robertson and Satterwhite to build a blueprint for both short-term viability and long-term success, relying on their collective perspectives of the furniture supply business to guide the process. After establishing RCF Group as a limited liability company with Carl as the majority owner, we then helped arrange the sale of Globe’s furniture distribution and resale arm to RCF Group, enabling them to have their own revenue stream and balance sheet from the first day. The structure of the company and the financing of the purchase were completed in a way that confirmed a long-term commitment from both GBI and RCF Group, adding to the credibility of this minority-led venture. The structure also ensured that RCF Group would have the financial resources and scalability to effectively service large corporate customers committed to diversifying their supplier base.
The dedication and drive of both Satterwhite and Robertson, coupled with the diligence of Dinsmore, has enabled RCF Group to grow exponentially, as they have ventured into other related business areas. Even more significantly, Dinsmore’s work in getting RCF Group certified as an MBE has established RCF Group as a leader in the minority business community. They lead through understanding the structure, growth and vision of RCF Group is touted as a true success story.
RCF Group serves Fortune 500 companies, has thrived and continues to grow, and our attorneys remain integrated with the business. In their early years, we helped establish an Advisory Council that identified potential issues within RCF Group, even serving on that council to offer insight that kept their business moving in a positive direction. Our team has worked with RCF Group since its first day, therefore we understand their business, industry, and we’ve become a trusted partner in their success.