Dinsmore & Shohl LLP has added Jen Vessells as a partner in its Corporate Department, further strengthening the Firm’s capabilities in mergers and acquisitions, business succession planning and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) transactions.
Based in Dinsmore’s Columbus office, Jen advises closely held and growth‑oriented companies on complex corporate transactions, with a particular emphasis on ESOPs. She works in collaboration with business owners, boards, trustees and lenders to develop ownership transition plans that align with long‑term operational, financial and cultural goals.
“Jen is a terrific addition to our corporate team,” said Jason Sims, Board member and leader in the Corporate Department. “She brings deep transactional experience and a sophisticated ESOP practice that complements our national team. Her ability to advise clients holistically, whether they are pursuing a sale, recapitalization or employee ownership, fits squarely within how we serve our clients.”
Over the course of her career, Jen’s practice has evolved from commercial litigation to general corporate and M&A work to a growing concentration on ESOP transactions, an area she sees as increasingly attractive for companies of all sizes. “ESOPs have always been a viable and attractive succession planning option for businessowners,” Jen said. “But in recent years, the number of ESOP-owned companies has grown incredibly fast. There’s a level of creativity in the ESOP space right now among all professional advisors— investment banks, trustees, third-party administrators, and legal advisors—which, when combined with increased ESOP education and a supportive regulatory landscape, make ESOPs a compelling option for many businesses.”
Jen said Dinsmore’s collaborative culture and depth of resources were key factors in her decision to join the Firm. “I wasn’t looking to make a move,” she said. “But Dinsmore’s platform is going to allow me to help my clients in new ways. The firm has the subject‑matter depth to handle transactions of any size and complexity.”
As part of Dinsmore’s Corporate Department, Jen will continue to represent clients in traditional mergers and acquisitions while expanding her ESOP work alongside the Firm’s nationally recognized team. “My hope is that Dinsmore becomes the pre‑eminent choice for guiding clients through ESOP transactions,” Jen said. “The combined experience here positions us to be a true go‑to firm in the market.”
Jen earned her Juris Doctor from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati. She is admitted to practice in Ohio.