Ohio Development Services Agency’s Former Chief Counsel Joins Vorys Economic Development Incentives Team
Sean Byrne – the former chief legal counsel and ethics officer at the Ohio Development Services Agency (ODSA) – has joined Vorys’ economic development incentives practice, one of the largest multi-state economic development incentives practices based in a U.S. law firm. Since joining ODSA in 2014, Byrne helped oversee the department’s $1 billion economic and community development funds. He also routinely counseled ODSA leadership on business and legal issues related to loans, grants, tax credits and ethics.
“We’ve had the opportunity to work with Sean on a number of projects during his time at ODSA. He’s widely respected for his quality of work and responsiveness,” said Scott Ziance, the leader of the Vorys economic development incentives practice. “In addition to his experience on the government side of economic development issues, Sean also has worked on the private-sector side as company counsel and lender counsel. He understands all sides of incentives matters and will be a great addition to our team.”
Before joining ODSA, Byrne spent five years serving as president and general counsel of a private equity firm/family office. In this role, he provided legal counsel throughout the United States on real estate and development projects including hotels, data centers and multiple residential projects. Byrne also spent nine years working at large national law firms and assisting clients on real estate and corporate matters.
“The Vorys economic development incentives team is continually supporting Ohio’s largest development projects and other significant developments across the country,” said Byrne. “Vorys was the perfect choice for me given its reputation, our positive working relationship and our mutual respect for one another.”
Outside of the legal practice, Byrne spent more than five years as a director of Professional Bank in Coral Gables, FL. He has also led charitable organizations including serving as the chairman of North Star Reach and as a board member of Flying Horse Farms.
Byrne received his J.D. from University of Michigan Law School and his B.A. from the University of Richmond.
About Vorys economic development incentives practice: Vorys has developed one of the largest multi-state economic development incentives practices based in a U.S. law firm. Our work spans the nation, having consulted on incentives deals in more than 30 states, for companies of all sizes. Some of the largest, fastest-growing companies in the U.S. count on our firm to advise them throughout the country on site-selection and incentives matters, while we also regularly advise businesses and governments that are using incentives for the first time.
