Karl E. May

Karl E. May


Frantz Ward LLP

Recognized since 2017

Cleveland, Ohio

Practice Areas

Financial Services Regulation Law

Litigation - Securities

Securities Regulation

Send Karl E. May an email at kmay@frantzward.com Navigate to map location for Karl E. May Call Karl E. May at 216-515-1077
Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Securities Regulation Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Litigation - Securities
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Karl May has over 40 years of experience in the field of broker/dealer and investment advisor regulations, including the representation of clients at SEC, state agency, and self-regulatory (FINRA) enforcement and licensing proceedings. He counsels stock brokers, investment advisors, entrepreneurs and other entities regarding SEC and FINRA matters, as well as with commercial and securities litigation. He assists clients with with non-public securities offerings and advises generally in various aspects of business formation and operations. Prior to entering private practice, he served as an enforcement attorney with the Ohio Division of Securities.

Karl’s extensive background in securities practice and civil enforcement is beneficial in his work helping small and closely-held businesses with securities structuring so they are in compliance with registration, exemption and disclosure requirement of federal and state securities laws. He also provides counsel in the field of venture capital and private equity transactions.

He is a graduate of The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, where he was a member of Oder of the Coif and an editor of the Ohio State Law Journal.

Contact & Links
Location
  • 200 Public Square, Suite 3000
    Cleveland, OH 44114
Education
  • The Ohio State University, J.D., summa cum laude, graduated 1974
  • Ohio Northern University, B.A., with high distinction, graduated 1971
Bar Admissions
  • Ohio, State of Ohio
Affiliations
  • The Ohio State Law Journal - Associate Editor (1972-1974)
  • Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association - Past Chairman, Securities Law Section & Securities Law Institute
  • Ohio State Bar Association - Member
  • Order of the Coif Associate Editor - The Ohio State Law Journal
Court Admissions
  • United States District Court - Northern & Southern Districts of Ohio
  • United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit

Frantz Ward LLP
Headquarters: Cleveland, Ohio

40 The Best Lawyers in America® awards

5 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards

Best Law Firms Badge Visit Website View Firm Profile

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Securities Regulation Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Litigation - Securities
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Securities Regulation, Cleveland (2024)
  • Litigation - Securities, Cleveland (2019)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Financial Services Regulation Law
  • Litigation - Securities
  • Securities Regulation
Special Focus:
  • Business Law
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Financial Services Law
  • Securities
  • Securities - Litigation
Awards:
  • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated- Martindale Hubbell
  • Named to The Best lawyers in America in the area of Litigation-Securities and Securities Regulation (2017-2019)
  • Named Best Lawyers' "Lawyer of the Year" in Cleveland in Litigation-Securities (2019)

Publications

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