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

• Henry D. Alderfer / Mergers and Acquisitions / Indianapolis
• Jennifer D. Brumby / Employment and Labor Relations / Dayton
• Erin R. Davis / Government Contracts / Dayton
• Michael C. Diedrich / Private Client / Chicago
• Leah C. Fleck / Mergers and Acquisitions / Minneapolis
• Zachary Heck / Privacy and Data Security / Dayton
• Aaron M. Johnson / Intellectual Property / Minneapolis
• Derek B. Lavender / Intellectual Property / Indiana
• Adam M. Law / Real Estate / Chicago / Indianapolis
• Conor H. Meeks / Employment and Labor Relations / Cincinnati
• Jonathan N. Olivito / Commercial Litigation / Columbus
• Julie Sirlin Pleshivoy / Private Client / Chicago
• Jason A. Robin / Real Estate / Chicago
• Eric C. Schulman / Finance / Minneapolis
• Cam Starnes / Environmental / Real Estate / Public Finance / Indianapolis
• Andrew R. Thaler / Employment and Labor Relations / Cincinnati
• Kathryn S. Wallrabenstein / Compliance, Investigations, and White Collar Defense / Columbus
• Jordan L. Weber / Commercial Litigation / Minneapolis
• Samuel J. Zeller / Mergers and Acquisitions / Cincinnati 

Henry D. Alderfer is a transactional attorney that focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, spin-offs, joint ventures, private equity transactions, and other complex corporate transactions. He also regularly advises clients on corporate finance transactions (including equity, debt, and mezzanine financings) and the formation and operation of a wide variety of business entities. Alderfer received his B.S. from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and his J.D., cum laude, from William and Mary Law School.

Jennifer D. Brumby represents employers throughout Ohio in both federal and state courts in various employment litigation matters including wrongful discharge, discrimination claims, Americans with Disabilities Act and Family and Medical Leave Act claims, wage and hour claims, employment agreements, and workers’ compensation. She also represents public and private employers in labor matters including comprehensive labor relations guidance regarding grievances, arbitrations, collective bargaining, and unfair labor practice charges. Brumby received her undergraduate degree from Miami University and her J.D. from the University of Toledo College of Law.

Erin R. Davis counsels clients on all aspects of government contracts law from cradle to grave. She offers practical advice designed to comply with the ever-changing laws and regulations in increasingly competitive federal acquisitions and grants. Davis is licensed to practice law in Ohio and the District of Columbia, and is admitted to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. She received her B.A., summa cum laude, from Kent State University, her Master of Public Administration from Cleveland State University, and her J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law.

Michael C. Diedrich represents individuals and their families on all aspects of estate planning, trust creation and administration, and probate matters. He counsels executives, entrepreneurs, and family offices on business succession planning and complex estate, gift, and other tax matters. Diedrich advises charities and non-profit organizations on their structure, charitable programs, and tax compliance. He received his undergraduate degree from Loyola University of Chicago, magna cum laude with honors, and received his J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Leah C. Fleck focuses her practice on mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt financings, and other complex transactions. She has significant experience providing corporate and securities law advice to public and private company clients across a range of industries. She also routinely counsels business clients on corporate governance and general corporate matters. Fleck earned her B.A. from Harvard University. She received her J.D. from New York University School of Law.

Zachary Heck focuses his practice on privacy and data security. Specifically, he assists clients in the areas of privacy compliance, data governance program development, data processing negotiations, crisis management, and guidance in the aftermath of an information security event, including data breach. Heck has experience advising clients with respect to FTC and state attorney general investigations, federal privacy regulations such as HIPAA, FCRA, TCPA, and GLBA, as well as state laws governing personally identifiable information. Heck is also an adjunct professor of Cybersecurity Law for graduate programs at both Wright State University and Indiana University. He received his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Dayton and earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law.

Aaron M. Johnson focuses on intellectual property matters with an emphasis on patent infringement disputes and other matters concerning technology. He represents clients across a broad spectrum of technological areas, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, software, construction materials, safety and security technologies, control technology, business methods, pet care products, and telecommunications. Johnson received his undergraduate degree, summa cum laude, from Hamline University, his M.S. in chemistry from the University of Minnesota Graduate School, and his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School, cum laude.

Derek B. Lavender is a registered patent attorney and practices in all areas of intellectual property law, with a focus on patent preparation/prosecution, international patent portfolio management, patent related opinion work, and patent portfolio due diligence. He has experience preparing and prosecuting patent applications in technologies such as medical devices, material science, electrical control systems, agricultural equipment, electro-pneumatic systems, electro-hydraulic systems, and transmission assemblies among others. Lavender earned his B.S. in mechanical engineering from Kettering University. He received his J.D. from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law with a graduate certificate in Intellectual Property Law.

Adam M. Law represents clients in all aspects of the acquisition, financing, construction, development, leasing, and disposition of commercial real estate, with an emphasis on assisting solar development companies and public utilities. His practice also includes general corporate counseling, as well as complex business and commercial transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, recapitalizations, divestitures, and corporate financing. He received his B.A. from Illinois Wesleyan University and earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Illinois.

Conor H. Meeks has represented employers in a broad range of labor and employment matters, including private and public sector union organizing and contract negotiations, litigating unfair labor practice charges before the NLRB, labor arbitrations, as well as employment discrimination charges before administrative agencies and discrimination lawsuits in both state and federal courts in Kentucky and Ohio. Meeks has also represented employers in occupational safety and health matters, including providing advice on day-to-day compliance issues as well as defending enforcement actions by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or equivalent state agencies. Meeks graduated, summa cum laude, from Purdue University, Krannert School of Management with a B.S. in accounting and management and minors in international business and finance, and passed the Uniform CPA examination. He received his J.D., summa cum laude, from Pepperdine University School of Law where he was Order of the Coif and Order of the Barristers.

Jonathan N. Olivito is a litigator and appellate lawyer. He handles business disputes, environmental matters, personal injury lawsuits, wage-and-hour actions, and a wide variety of other cases in state and federal court, administrative hearings, and arbitrations. He represents clients in an array of industries, including health care, construction, manufacturing, finance, and real estate. Olivito earned his bachelor’s degree from Ohio University, summa cum laude. He earned his Master of Public Administration from Ohio University and his J.D., magna cum laude and Order of the Coif, from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. Prior to joining Taft, Olivito clerked for Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

Julie Sirlin Pleshivoy counsels high net worth individuals, families, business owners, and financial institutions on wealth planning, tax matters, and conflict resolution related to the administration of trusts and estates. She advises clients in developing and implementing their estate plans to address important issues relating to estate and gift tax, charitable giving, wealth transfer, asset protection, and conflict management. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago and her J.D. and L.L.M in Federal Income Taxation from Chicago-Kent College of Law with high honors.

Jason A. Robin represents clients in the acquisition, disposition, and leasing of commercial real estate. He also has extensive experience representing lenders in the documentation and negotiation of construction loans and the restructuring of troubled loans. He earned his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania, his M.S. from Roosevelt University, and his J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.

Eric C. Schulman represents a range of lenders and borrowers in a variety of financing transactions, including traditional commercial lending, asset-based lending, syndicated credit facilities, and mezzanine financing. He received his undergraduate degree from Amherst College and his J.D. from Cornell University Law School, cum laude.

Cam Starnes focuses his practice on representing municipal and private clients in navigating the myriad potential complications associated with public-private partnerships, including tax increment financing and other incentives programs, build-operate-transfer project delivery, and brownfield redevelopment. In addition to his legal expertise, Starnes has served in redevelopment and economic development roles for local municipalities and possesses a unique depth of understanding about what makes a public-private partnership successful. He works across various practice areas, including environmental, real estate, and public finance to solve problems and ensure success, and has been instrumental in impactful, transformative projects across Indiana. He earned his B.A., magna cum laude, from Wabash College and his J.D. from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.

Andrew R. Thaler handles all aspects of workers’ compensation claims, from the initial filing of the claim to hearings before the Industrial Commission, to the Courts of Common Pleas, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court. As a seasoned litigator, Thaler has extensive trial experience successfully defending employers in numerous jury and bench trials. He routinely defends workers’ compensation death claims, asbestos and mesothelioma claims, VSSR matters, as well as claims involving additional conditions and requests for disability benefits. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon and his J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law.

Kathryn S. Wallrabenstein represents individuals and entities who are being prosecuted in state and federal courts, as well as individuals and entities who are involved with government and regulatory investigations. Wallrabenstein has experience handling a wide range of white-collar matters, including public corruption, health care fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy. She has represented clients in a range of courtroom settings, including jury trials in state and federal courts. She received her undergraduate degree from Miami University and her J.D. from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.

Jordan L. Weber is a member of Taft’s Commercial Litigation group where he advises individuals and businesses on all manners of commercial disputes. He primarily practices banking and finance litigation, intellectual property litigation, commercial real estate and construction litigation, shareholder and partnership litigation, and securities litigation. Weber received his B.S. from the University of South Dakota, summa cum laude, and his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School, magna cum laude, where he served as an editor for the Minnesota Law Review.

Sam J. Zeller is a corporate attorney who represents publicly and privately held companies, as well as private equity firms and their portfolio companies, in a broad range of matters. He advises clients on structuring and negotiating leveraged buyouts and other complex transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, along with corporate restructurings and recapitalizations. In addition, Zeller counsels companies on corporate governance matters. He received his B.A., magna cum laude, from Indiana University and his J.D., magna cum laude, from Northwestern University School of Law.