Taft Law is pleased to announce that the following 19 attorneys have been elected to the firm’s partnership:

• Karl D. Camillucci / Public Finance / Chicago
• Christopher A. Deabler / Business / Northern Kentucky
• Christopher A. DeVore / Intellectual Property / Indianapolis
• Robin W. Dunn / Intellectual Property / Indianapolis
• Lucas Frasz / Real Estate / Minneapolis
• Will Gardner / Environmental / Indianapolis
• Ryan P. Hiler / Intellectual Property / Indianapolis
• Andrew T. Howard / Private Client / Minneapolis
• Amanda Juelson / Private Client / Minneapolis
• Patrick J. Palascak / Intellectual Property / Cincinnati / Cleveland
• Evan T. Priestle / Employment and Labor Relations / Cincinnati
• Todd Rowden / Litigation / Chicago
• Paul M. Shapiro / Employment and Labor Relations / Minneapolis
• Roshan P. Shrestha, Ph.D. / Intellectual Property / Chicago
• Jennifer M. Snead / Employment and Labor Relations / Cincinnati
• Erica M. Spitzig / Environmental / Cincinnati
• Sanna-Rae Taylor / Litigation / Cincinnati
• Hayley B. Williams / Health Care and Life Sciences / Cleveland
• Philip D. Williamson / Litigation / Cincinnati

Karl D. Camillucci is a member of Taft’s Public Finance and Economic Development, Real Estate, Land Use, and Local Government practice groups. He focuses his practice on tax-exempt and taxable government financings, public-private partnerships, project finance, land use and zoning entitlements, economic development incentives, joint ventures, and other matters related to real estate finance and development. Camillucci received his B.A., cum laude, from Northwestern University and his J.D., magna cum laude, from Northwestern University School of Law.

Christopher A. Deabler focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, asset divestitures, securities offerings, secured lending, mezzanine lending, corporate governance, and other general corporate matters for publicly traded and privately held companies. His experience also includes sophisticated commercial contract work, ranging from distribution agreements to master services and master purchasing agreements, and manufacturing agreements for clients in various industries. Deabler received his B.A., magna cum laude with honors, from the University of Tampa, his M.A. from Texas A&M University, and his J.D. from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law.

Christopher A. DeVore concentrates his practice in the areas of patent preparation, prosecution, and analysis, with particular expertise in medical devices, locks, and access control devices, door closers and hardware, gas turbine engines, refrigeration systems, and other mechanical and electromechanical areas of technology. DeVore received his B.S in mechanical engineering from Ohio Northern University, his M.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Cincinnati, and his J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law.

Robin W. Dunn represents clients in patent matters with a focus on the electrical, software, and computer arts. He has particular experience in technologies involving cryptosystems, computer security, complex algorithms, electromechanical devices, imaging systems, power electronics, analog circuits, power tool mechanisms, orthopaedic medical devices, and other devices and systems. Dunn received his B.S., summa cum laude, in mathematics from Purdue University, his M.S. in electrical & computer engineering from Purdue University, and his J.D. from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.

Lucas J. Frasz focuses his practice on commercial real estate acquisitions, dispositions, leases, development and finance, including multi-property and other complex transactions, advising clients across the full spectrum of issues that arise in the ownership and management of commercial real estate assets. Frasz received his B.A. from the University of Minnesota and his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School, magna cum laude.

Will Gardner’s practice focuses on advising clients regarding environmental compliance and permitting, brownfield redevelopment, and environmental issues in mergers and acquisitions. He also represents clients in litigating environmental claims and permit appeals. In addition to his J.D., Gardner also earned his Master of Public Affairs from Indiana University – Bloomington’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs, where he concentrated on environmental and energy policy.

Ryan P. Hiler represents clients in all aspects of intellectual property law and focuses his practice on patent matters and technology transactions. Hiler works as a strategic advisor by designing unique strategies for clients’ intellectual property portfolios based on their goals and market expectations. Hiler also acts as outside general intellectual property counsel to numerous companies and provides efficient solutions for his clients that safeguard their assets. Hiler received his B.S in nutrition science, biology, & chemistry from Indiana University Bloomington, his M.S. in biology from Purdue University, and his J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School, magna cum laude.

Andrew T. Howard is a member of Taft’s Private Client and Estate Planning practice groups. He assists individuals and families with drafting wills and trusts; estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax issues; preparing federal and state income, estate, and gift tax returns; probate matters; trust administration; and charitable planning. Howard received his B.S. in economics from the University of Minnesota and his J.D. from Hamline University School of Law.

Amanda N. Juelson assists individuals with their estate planning and probate issues and estate and trust administration matters as a member of the Private Client and Estate Planning practice groups. She guides individuals and families of all sizes and asset levels on issues related to estate planning including wills, medical assistance, disability and special needs planning, incapacity planning, trusts, charitable gifting, contested probates, family business succession planning, and guardianship and conservatorships. Juelson received her undergraduate degree, cum laude, from Minot State University and her J.D. from the University of North Dakota.

Patrick J. Palascak specializes in electrical and software technologies where he counsels clients, ranging from start-up companies to Fortune 500 companies, with regard to identifying and then executing intellectual property strategies throughout all phases of technical development to efficiently position the technology as a valuable asset to the client. Palascak received his B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Dayton. He earned his J.D. from the University of Dayton School of Law, where he was part of the Program in Law and Technology.  

Evan T. Priestle counsels and represents both public and private employers in all aspects of labor and employment law. His experience includes representing all manner of clients in lawsuits and administrative charges involving race, sex, age, and disability discrimination, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Priestle received his undergraduate degree in business administration from the University of Cincinnati and earned his J.D., summa cum laude, from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law. Before joining the firm, Priestle clerked for the Honorable Melba D. Marsh of the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court and the Honorable William O. Bertelsman of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky.  

Todd Rowden is an experienced trial lawyer and counselor to clients whose practice focuses on large and small businesses; including serving some of America’s largest financial services corporations and private sector businesses. Known in the legal field for his keen business and trial strategy and skilled negotiations, Rowden counsels clients on business disputes, dispute resolution, and internal investigations. Rowden received his B.A. from the University of Michigan-Flint and his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School. He also attended the Harvard Law School Executive Education Leadership in Law Firms certificate program.

Paul M. Shapiro is a member of the Commercial Litigation and Employment and Labor Relations practice groups, where he represents clients in a broad range of business, commercial, and employment disputes in Minnesota state and federal court, and in other courts across the country. Shapiro has extensive experience in all aspects of litigation — from the development of pre-suit case strategy through defending favorable results on appeal — and he devotes significant time to pro-bono work with local non-profit organizations. Shapiro received his undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.

Roshan P. Shrestha, Ph.D. concentrates his practice in patent litigation, prosecution, counseling related to pharmaceuticals, biosimilars, biotechnologies, medical devices, chemical products, and electronic materials. Shrestha has particular experience on issues arising under the Hatch-Waxman Act. He helps develop strategies on patentability, infringement, validity, and enforceability. Shrestha received his B.A. in Chemistry, with honors, from Grinnell College and his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He received his J.D., cum laude, from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law.

Jennifer M. Snead focuses her practice on U.S. immigration law. Her experience includes advising clients on a variety of immigration matters in an array of industries, including temporary visas, permanent residence, and U.S. citizenship. Snead received her B.S., cum laude, from Ohio State University and her J.D. from Fordham University School of Law.

Erica M. Spitzig focuses her practice on environmental law and assists clients with regulatory compliance, litigation, enforcement, transactional due diligence, and other matters involving a broad scope of state and federal environmental statutes. She has significant experience representing clients on Clean Water Act matters, working extensively with municipalities on clean water legal and regulatory issues, and has represented state and national associations as amici curiae in cases before the Ohio Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court on cases involving major clean water issues. Spitzig received her B.A. in political science from the Franciscan University of Steubenville and her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.

Sanna-Rae Taylor has experience in a broad range of civil and white collar criminal defense matters in both state and federal courts and arbitration before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. She has represented corporations and individuals in commercial disputes, involving allegations of fraud, unsuitability, trade secret misappropriation, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, and violation of federal and state securities laws. Taylor received her undergraduate degree from Utah State University and her J.D. from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law.

Hayley B. Williams’ practice includes general health care law, Medicare billing and compliance, and the regulatory aspects of health care business transactions. She has experience in advising and counseling owners, operators, and managers of long term care facilities, including MRDD providers, waiver program providers, and intermediate care facilities, on a multitude of legal and business issues. Williams’ practice also includes a variety of public sector matters including municipal, school, and public/private sector partnerships. She received her B.A. from Vanderbilt University and her J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law with a Certificate in Health Care Law.

Philip D. Williamson litigates complex matters in state and federal courts. He has briefed appeals in multiple U.S. Courts of Appeals, including the Sixth, Seventh, and Ninth Circuits, as well as state appellate courts in Ohio, Kentucky, and Georgia. Williamson has also represented amici at both the cert petition and merits stages in the U.S. Supreme Court. Prior to joining Taft, Williamson served as a law clerk for Judge Raymond M. Kethledge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, Judge Amul R. Thapar of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Judge Lavenski R. Smith of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Williamson also serves on the board of directors for the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky lawyers chapters of the Federalist Society. Williamson received his undergraduate degree, with highest honors, from Ouachita Baptist University. He received his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law, where he served as the submissions review editor for the Journal of Law and Politics.

In 2020, Taft maintained growth and stability across the firm and looks forward to continuing its commitment to clients, attorneys, and staff through its one class of partner mentality, dedicated client focus, celebration of diversity and inclusion, and by continuing to establish itself as the employer of choice in each of its operating regions in 2021.