On Jan. 1, 2017, Robert J. Hicks begins a five-year term as the next firm-wide chairman and managing partner of Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP. He succeeds Thomas Terp, who served as the firm’s chairman and managing partner for 10 years. Since his election, Hicks has worked closely with Terp on succession planning to ensure a smooth and orderly transition of responsibilities.

Hicks has served as partner-in-charge of Taft’s Indianapolis office and has been a member of the firm’s executive committee since 2008. As chairman and managing partner, Hicks will lead the firm’s executive committee and drive its overall direction and go-to market strategies. Other members of the executive committee include: Thomas A. Barnard (Indianapolis); Howard Bobrow (Cleveland); David J. Butler (Columbus); Barbara A. Duncombe (Dayton); Cezar M. Froelich (Chicago); Elizabeth A. Kastner (Columbus); Margaret Avril Lawson (Cincinnati); Tracey A. Puthoff (Cincinnati); Michael J. Schaller (Chicago); Adrian D. Thompson (Cleveland); James M. Zimmerman (Cincinnati); and Anthony R. Licata (Ex-Officio Chicago).

Hicks also will continue his active merger and acquisitions practice. He advises clients through complex business and commercial transactions, private equity and venture capital transactions, mergers and acquisitions, structured financings, and structural tax matters. Hicks serves as outside counsel for the largest private equity fund in Indiana, along with several other substantial and successful businesses.
Terp will continue his commercial litigation and environmental practice. He represents clients on environmental issues in connection with real estate transfers, loan transactions as well as mergers and acquisitions. He has been with the firm since 1973.

Bradley W. Schwer will succeed Hicks as partner-in-charge of Taft’s Indianapolis office. At 42, Schwer will be the youngest partner-in-charge to lead Taft’s Indianapolis office. He focuses his practices on difficult transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and intellectual property licensing, as well as business advisory services and general corporate counseling for private equity funds, family offices and companies.