Sherrard, German & Kelly, P.C. is thrilled to announce the return of Walter R. “Bob” Bashaw II to the firm. Mr. Bashaw’s journey with the firm started in 1993 when he was hired as an Associate after completing a summer internship with the firm as a law student. From the beginning, he demonstrated an eagerness to learn, a sharp intellect, and a drive to explore various areas of law, making him a valuable addition to the firm.
Mr. Bashaw soon made a name for himself in corporate and transactional work for the firm’s many corporate clients. Working closely with our former Managing Shareholder, Robert D. German, he helped build a remarkable roster of clients and increasingly more sophisticated corporate transactions. His depth of experience with corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and technology clients made him an indispensable part of SGK’s Corporate Services Group.
In recognition of his skill and dedication, Mr. Bashaw was named a Shareholder and Director just five years into his career, becoming one of the youngest Shareholders in SGK’s history. Outside of his legal work, he has also been deeply involved in various charitable organizations and his church, demonstrating his commitment to both his profession and his community.
In 2005, he transitioned to a leadership role, becoming one of SGK’s Managing Shareholders, a position he held until he joined II-VI Incorporated (now Coherent), one of the firm’s long-standing clients. As Interim General Counsel and later Executive Vice President of Strategic Development, Mr. Bashaw spearheaded the company’s strategic development role including numerous large multinational M&A transactions as well as managing the integration of such entities into Coherent’s umbrella of sophisticated high-tech products and services throughout the world. Since 2019, he has served as President of Coherent, guiding the publicly-traded company through its strategic development and expansion.
Mr. Bashaw’s career highlights include overseeing complex corporate transactions across industries such as manufacturing, e-commerce, real estate, and high-tech sectors. He holds a J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where he graduated cum laude and served as the editor-in-chief of the University of Pittsburgh Journal of Law and Commerce. He also holds a B.S. in Logistics from Pennsylvania State University.
Now, after several successful years in the corporate world, he is returning to his legal roots at SGK. His vast experience in corporate law, strategic development, and leadership, combined with his deep understanding of the firm’s culture, makes his return a significant moment for us. We are excited to have him and his significant skillset back at SGK.