Atty. John D. Jolley
John Jolly has a legal expertise in all things business. As Chair of the firm’s Business and Real Estate practice groups, John focuses his practice on general corporate, commercial real estate, banking, and construction matters.
Profile Summary
About John D. Jolley at a glance
John D. Jolley is a Partner based in Columbus, Ohio, practicing at Isaac Wiles Burkholder & Miller, LLC. They have 30+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1996. Their practice focuses on business, real estate, and zoning. Admitted to practice in Michigan (1996) and Ohio U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan (1997). Educated at The Ohio State University (B.A., 1991) and University of Detroit Mercy School of Law J.D. 1995 Senior Member Law Review George Washington University Law School LL.M. 1996 The Environmental Lawyer George Washington University Law Schoo (—). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Active member of Joseph Montessori School, Board of Trustees, July 2012-June 2016. Serands clients in Columbus, OH and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- John Jolly has a legal expertise in all things business
- As Chair of the firm’s Business and Real Estate practice groups, John focuses his practice on general corporate, commercial real estate, banking, and construction matters
- John’s experience encompasses representation of all aspects of retail, commercial, and industrial real property acquisition/sale, development and leasing
- lending/financial institution matters, title insurance matters
- and condominium/community association matters
- He works with business clients from inception to sale and/or succession, and every other matter along the way
- With extensive experience in formation, operations and related business planning, John has the knowledge and strategic know-how to help find success for closely held corporations, limited liability companies, trade and non-profit associations, and similar business organizations
- John is a Certified Specialist in Business, Commercial, and Industrial Real Property Law, as certified by the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA), and is a member of the OSBA’s Real Property Specialty Certification Committee
- He also serves as General Counsel to the Ohio Lake Communities Association
- Articles & Presentations Articles •“Spotlight: John Jolley,” Columbus Business First, June 2, 2017 Presentations •“Environmental Issues Affecting Trust Real Estate,” The Huntington National Bank Quarterly Trust Department Meeting, April 23, 2007 •“Don’t Be Held Hostage by Property Taxes,” Ohio Golf Course Owners Association 27th Annual Convention, March 15, 2006 •“Offers/Letters of Intent
- Choice of Entity,” Ohio State Bar Association Commercial Real Estate Law Seminar, November 2002, October 2004, November 2005 Experience •Nursing home sale - Nursing home Counseled clients through the sale of nursing home facilities •General Outside Counsel Representation - Multi-Division Manufacturing Company Representation as general counsel for a multi-division manufacturing company •Project Counsel - Shopping Center Development, North Carolina Counseled the owner and developer of a $25 million lifestyle center in North Carolina through acquisition, development, construction and leasing •Project Counsel - Mixed Use Retail/Commercial/Residential Development, Northwest Ohio Served as project and general counsel in representing the owner, developer and General Manager of a lifestyle shopping center, including a $58 million refinancing •Loan Work-Out / Deed in Lieu - National banking association Represented client in two loan work-out/deed in lieu of foreclosures for asset-based loan transactions secured by golf course projects •Sporting/Event Arena Acquisition and Takeover of Operations Management - Convention Facilities Authority Represented a Convention Facilities Authority as lead real estate counsel in which the Authority became the owner of a 25,000 seat, 685,000 square foot sports arena and related ancillary buildings and commercial space used as “home ice” by a NHL hockey team
- The transaction included the collapse and termination of several layers of ground leases and subleases, conveyance of all properties to the Authority, and in turn licensing and leasing of the property to various interested parties
- John also counselled the client and assisted in the creation of a new tax exemption for the Authority in order to lessen the financial burden from real property taxes imposed on the properties, and worked through various title and financing issues attendant to the transaction
- Honors •The Best Lawyers in America, 2025-2026 •Ohio Super Lawyers, 2005 •AV-Preeminent Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell •Recipient of the Alice Neeley Memorial Award, 2004
Practice Areas Explained
John D. Jolley's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases John D. Jolley handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
John D. Jolley is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Ohio →
Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.
John D. Jolley is one of 316,149 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in Ohio →
John D. Jolley is one of 40,226 zoning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse zoning attorneys in Ohio →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Ohio
Practicing law in Ohio. Legal matters in Ohio are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Columbus are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Ohio state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Ohio brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Ohio courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Ohio attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Columbus or all attorneys in Ohio.
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