Biography

Zatezalo practices in the areas of real estate law and financing. He has been with Kegler Brown since 1986.

Real Estate + Financing

Michael’s real estate experience includes all aspects of real estate development, including sales and acquisitions, leasing (office, retail, industrial and telecommunications towers), zoning, land use, development issues, real estate tax valuation, construction and permanent financing. He has represented a number of businesses seeking financial incentives in connection with the location and expansion of their facilities in Ohio. His experience also includes serving as lead real estate counsel in the initial public offering of Glimcher Realty Trust, one of Central Ohio’s largest real estate investment trusts. He represents institutional investors, pension funds, lenders, buyers, sellers, tenants and landlords of all sizes.

Gaming

Michael represents local, national and international clients, including suppliers, distributors and manufacturers within the gaming industry, as well as charitable organizations. A former section chief of the charitable law section of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, he also served as president of the International Masters of Gaming Law and has been a previous presenter at the Gaming Law Minefield seminar. Michael has been involved with advising clients with respect to Ohio’s 2009 casino initiative, which authorized the construction and operation of four casinos in Ohio, as well as advising clients with respect to the Ohio Lottery Commission’s authorization of video lottery terminals (VLTs) at Ohio’s racetracks. He regularly contributes to publications seeking insight on the national gaming landscape and recently authored an article entitled “The Perfect Storm: Ohio’s Entry Into Legalized Gaming” for Casino Enterprise Management magazine.

Practice Areas

Education

  • The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law (J.D., 1975)
  • West Virginia University (B.S. Aerospace Engineering, 1972)

Bar Admissions

  • Ohio
  • California
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio

Professional Affiliations

  • California Bar Association, member
  • Columbus Bar Association, member
  • Columbus Bar Services Board, Board of Trustees
  • International Council of Shopping Centers, member
  • International Masters of Gaming Law, past president
  • Ohio State Bar Association, member
  • SCG-Legal, board of directors, past chairman

Special Honors

  • Recognized in Columbus CEO, Best Lawyers, 2022
  • Selected as the 2020 “Lawyer of the Year” in Columbus in the area of Real Estate Law by The Best Lawyers in America®
  • Martindale-Hubbell Rating of AV Preeminent®
  • Selected to the Ohio Super Lawyers list
  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®

Charitable + Civic Involvement

  • Buckeye Ranch Foundation, Operations Board
  • Columbus Council on World Affairs (CCWA), Member

Presentations

  • "The Crackdown on Internet Sweepstakes Cafes" Keynote Panel Discussion, International Masters of Gaming Law 2014 Spring Conference, San Diego, California, April 2014
  • State Regulators Panel, ABA 14th Annual National Institute on Gaming Law Minefield, Las Vegas, Nevada, presented February 2010
  • "Ohio Gaming Initiatives: Past, Present and Future," ABA 12th Annual National Institute on Gaming Law Minefield, Las Vegas, Nevada, presented February 2008
  • "Emerging Jurisdiction Report," ABA 11th Annual National Institute on Gaming Law Minefield, Las Vegas, Nevada, presented February 2007
  • "Effect of the Economy on Gaming Initiatives," 15th Annual World Gaming Congress & Expo, Las Vegas, Nevada, presented October 2001
  • "REIT - Real Estate Investment Trusts," Columbus Bar Association, Real Property Institute, February 1995

Career Highlights

  • Served as managing director of Kegler, Brown, Hill + Ritter from 1999-2016
  • Former section chief of the charitable law and consumer frauds and crimes sections of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office
  • Played a major role in assisting a local developer with its initial public offering as a real estate investment trust and has represented several institutional investors in connection with multi-state acquisitions of properties and major loan transactions
  • Partnered with firm clients in guiding implementation of Ohio’s 2009 casino initiative