The Taft Story

Taft combined with Detroit-based Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, effective Dec. 31, 2022. The addition of more than 120 Detroit attorneys brought the firm to over 800 attorneys strong.

Taft opened an office in Washington, DC, substantially expanding its existing group of government relations professionals by establishing a new bipartisan and diverse federal and state Public Affairs Strategies Group (PASG) in the nation’s capital and its Midwestern markets.

Taft combined with Minneapolis-based firm Briggs and Morgan, a firm of approximately 140 attorneys with experience in energy, finance, telecommunications, and transportation. Expanding Taft’s presence to the Twin Cities, a top market in the Midwest and flourishing business community, provides a larger platform to address the evolving needs of clients.

Taft expands to Delaware, Ohio, due to the growth rate and clients’ interest in doing business in Delaware County, among other factors.

Taft merged with Shefsky & Froelich, a Chicago law firm with 70 attorneys. The merger extended Taft’s footprint to the financial hub of the Midwestern region and enhanced Taft’s offerings to clients in other markets.

Taft’s merger with Chester Willcox & Saxbe strengthened its presence in Ohio’s capital city. In addition to litigation, business, labor & employment, and private client practices, CWS attorneys provided a sophisticated energy practice.

Taft merged with Sommer Barnard, a prominent, full-service Indianapolis firm with more than 100 attorneys. The merger gave Taft and Sommer Barnard a regional presence, as well as greater depth in meeting a variety of business and individual legal needs.

Taft’s commitment to the Cleveland region was enhanced with the merger of Kahn Kleinman, a highly respected commercial real estate, corporate, and tax firm. The merger was named by Crain’s Cleveland Business as one of the “10 Deals That Mattered Most in 2008.”

Hugh Wall III joined the firm and opened Taft’s Dayton office, which gave Taft a physical presence in a city where it already had many clients. By 2009, the office had more than 30 attorneys, and it has continued to expand client services since then.

Cleveland-based Kelley, McCann & Livingstone joined the four attorneys in Taft’s Cleveland office. Known for its public law and litigation capabilities, the Kelley McCann lawyers welcomed the opportunity to join the Taft family and expand their services to clients throughout NE Ohio.

The firm opened an office across the river in Northern Kentucky. Three Taft attorneys, including the former partner-in-charge of our Kentucky office, Robert Craig, relocated from the Cincinnati office to Covington to support our growing clientele throughout Kentucky.

Taft Cincinnati partner David Johnson moved to Columbus to launch our Columbus office. As Taft continued to establish itself as a preeminent Ohio firm, it seemed appropriate that the firm should have an office in the state’s capital.

A young firm headed by Robert A. Taft (who later became a U.S. Senator) and Charles P. Taft II, sons of former President William Howard Taft, joined the older firm to become Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP.

Worthington & Strong was founded by Judge William Worthington and Edward W. Strong. John L. Stettinius and John B. Hollister joined the firm after its founding, at which point the firm became known as Worthington, Strong, Stettinius & Hollister.