Taft is pleased to announce that the following 23 attorneys have been elected to the firm’s partnership:

• Schaan Barth / Litigation / Minneapolis
• Paul Coogan / Litigation / Chicago
• Kira Crowley / Business / Indianapolis
• Kimberly DalSanto / Environmental / Litigation / Indianapolis
• Jamie Erickson / Finance / Minneapolis
• JoZeff Gebolys / Litigation / Cleveland
• Grant Gibeau / Employment and Labor Relations / Minneapolis
• Justin Hanna / Business / Detroit
• Blair Harrington / Employment and Labor Relations / Minneapolis
• Jennifer Horn / Business / Cleveland
• Kelsey Hughes-Blaum / Litigation / Cleveland
• John Kenny / Business / Chicago
• Jamal Knight / Real Estate / Minneapolis
• James Kresta / Litigation / Detroit
• Michael Meyer / Environmental / Cincinnati
• Tyler Philippi / Tax (Employee Benefits) / Minneapolis
• Michael Pomeranz / Litigation / Detroit
• Lindsey Rothrock / Intellectual Property / Indianapolis
• Cary Snyder / Litigation / Cleveland
• Brian Stone / Real Estate / Detroit
• Samuel Swafford / Real Estate / Indianapolis
• Alexandra Van Dusen / Business (Gaming) / Chicago
• Abe Wehbi / Business / Chicago

Schaan Barth is a member of the Litigation practice group. Barth creates effective professional and personal relationships within his practice, providing a roadmap for clients so they know what to expect throughout his representation of them as an individual or business. Barth received his undergraduate degree from North Dakota State University, graduating summa cum laude. He received his J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law, where he also graduated summa cum laude.

Paul Coogan focuses his practice on commercial litigation in both federal and state trial courts, assisting clients in resolving all manner of business disputes. Coogan is also an experienced appellate attorney, representing clients on both sides of the bar in state and federal appellate courts. He received his B.A. from Marquette University and his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Illinois College of Law.

Kira Crowley focuses her practice on general commercial transactions, specifically advising clients on commercial agreements and transactions in various industries. She assists private companies with their outside general counsel duties, including structuring commercial arrangements and providing general business advisory services. Crowley received her undergraduate degree with high distinction from Indiana University Bloomington. She earned her J.D., cum laude, from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.

Kimberly DalSanto concentrates her practice in the fields of commercial litigation and environmental law. She has experience in all aspects of litigation, and has represented clients in both state and federal court in cases involving complex business, construction, environmental, and probate matters. She also regularly helps clients navigate compliance and transactional issues involving local, state, and federal environmental laws. DalSanto earned her undergraduate degree from Indiana University and her J.D. from Indiana University Maurer School of Law.

 Jamie Erickson represents national and local lenders in complex real estate finance matters. She focuses her practice on commercial real estate finance, including construction loans (mezzanine and traditional), ground lease financing, bridge and permanent real estate loan financings, and agricultural lending. Erickson received her undergraduate degree from Metropolitan State University and earned her J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law.

JoZeff Gebolys provides clients with guidance in all stages of the civil litigation process, including injunctions and pre-litigation dispute resolution. His practice covers IP litigation, contract disputes, construction litigation, insurance recovery, and appeals. He has significant in-court experience in both state and federal courts. Gebolys earned his bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, from The Ohio State University and his J.D. from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. 

Grant Gibeau is an attorney in the Employment and Labor Relations practice group. Gibeau’s practice primarily focuses on helping employers navigate all aspects of union and labor relations, from navigating union elections, negotiating collective bargaining agreements, identifying workplace best practices and policies, and vigorously defending against any claims which may arise, including those in employment litigation, labor arbitrations, and unfair labor practice disputes. Gibeau holds a B.A. from Saint John’s University and is a summa cum laude graduate of William Mitchell College of Law.

Justin Hanna is an attorney in the Mergers and Acquisitions, Private Equity and Venture Capital, and Emerging Companies practice groups. Hanna’s expertise centers on business and real estate law, with a strong emphasis on middle-market M&A. He has dedicated his practice to empowering entrepreneurs, investors, and businesses of all sizes to grow through effective strategic planning and analysis, regardless of the size, complexity, or scale of representation. Hanna received his B.S. and M.B.A. from Wayne State University. He earned his J.D. from Wayne State University Law School. 

Blair Harrington represents employers in a broad range of litigated disputes and advising matters. She advocates for clients in all stages of litigation in state and federal courts, as well as before state and federal agencies on a variety of employment disputes. She has significant experience representing employers against competitors in disputes involving non-competition and non-solicitation, trade secrets theft, and unfair competition. In addition to her litigation practice, Harrington routinely advises clients on day-to-day workplace issues. Harrington received her B.A. cum laude from the University of Denver. She earned her J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School.

Jennifer Horn focuses her practice in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and venture capital transactions. She has served as outside corporate counsel to several global corporations, providing legal guidance on commercial agreements, corporate governance, and day-to-day issues. She also has experience working with new and emerging companies, corporate entity selection and formation, and a wide range of general corporate matters. Horn received her undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from American University, and earned her J.D., cum laude, from Cleveland State University College of Law.

Kelsey Hughes-Blaum focuses her practice on business and complex commercial disputes. She has experience in a wide range of litigation matters, including contract disputes, business torts, class-action defense, UCC issues, and intellectual property matters. Hughes-Blaum received her B.A., magna cum laude, from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and her J.D. from Villanova University School of Law. 

John Kenny advises clients on general corporate matters, mergers and acquisitions, real estate transactions, corporate governance, and tax disputes. He has experience working closely with founders, executive officers, board members, and shareholders on their business legal needs. Kenny earned his undergraduate degree from Indiana University. He received his J.D. from Michigan State University College of Law.

Jamal Knight represents and counsels developers, investors, lenders, landlords and tenants in a broad range of commercial real estate transactions. Knight also advises clients on the real estate and environmental implications involved in mergers and acquisitions. He received his undergraduate degree from Duke University and his J.D. from Tulane University Law School, where he also received a certificate in Environmental Law.

James Kresta counsels and represents public and private companies in in all aspects of sophisticated commercial litigation, including shareholder disputes, real estate disputes, constitutional law, restrictive covenants, business torts, employment disputes, and contract disputes.  As an attorney in Taft’s Commercial Litigation practice group, Kresta’s diverse practice includes every aspect of dispute resolution, including: contract review, negotiations, pleadings, discovery, substantive motions, trials, and appeals. Kresta received his B.A., cum laude, from Franciscan University of Steubenville. He received his J.D., cum laude, from Wayne State University Law School.

Michael Meyer is an experienced litigator and trial lawyer in Taft’s Environmental practice group. Over many years, he has represented clients in civil matters in state and federal courts across Ohio, Indiana, and in multiple other jurisdictions nationwide. In addition to his environmental litigation experience, he also has considerable experience representing construction industry clients in defect, delay, and contract claims, as well as manufacturers from a variety of industries in product liability matters. Meyer received his B.A., cum laude, from Marquette University and his M.S. from Valparaiso University. He received a J.D., magna cum laude, from Valparaiso University School of Law.

Tyler Philippi focuses his practice on providing advice related to qualified retirement plans, group health plans, compensation and bonus arrangements, and other benefits provided to employees. He works with clients to address their compliance with a variety of state and federal laws and regulatory requirements. Philippi earned his B.A. from Lake Forest College and his J.D. and LL.M. in Employee Benefits from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.

Michael Leo Pomeranz counsels commercial and non‑profit clients both to avoid and to resolve complex commercial disputes involving intellectual property, contracts, trade practices, and allegations of fraud, among other topics. He has represented clients in state and federal bankruptcy, trial, and appeals courts, including the United States and state Supreme Courts, as well as in arbitration. He represents clients in several industries, including highly regulated industries, such as retail automotive, construction and development, finance, and technology. Pomeranz earned his B.A. from Yale University, with distinction, and his J.D. from Yale Law School.

Lindsey Rothrock assists clients in protecting their brands, creative works, and proprietary information. She provides guidance to clients regarding brand development, clearance, registration, maintenance, and strategy for national and international trademark portfolios. She also regularly advises and assists clients regarding trademark infringement and enforcement issues including preparing and responding to cease and desist letters, representing and defending clients before the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and negotiating consent-to-use and co-existence agreements. Rothrock earned her undergraduate degree with distinction from Indiana University. She received her J.D. from DePaul University College of Law.

Cary Snyder focuses his practice on representing clients in the higher education, health care, and news media industries. He has developed substantial experience over the past decade litigating sophisticated matters before trial and appellate courts. Snyder has defended colleges and universities in matters involving claims of Title IX gender discrimination, defamation, and breach of contract. He also represents media companies to safeguard their right to access public records and court proceedings. Snyder received his B.A. from Kenyon College and a master’s degree from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University. He earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School.

Brian Stone concentrates his practice on commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions, sales, financing, and leasing of all types of real estate. He represents owners, developers, management companies, builders, and operators in all aspects of commercial real estate. He also represents lenders and borrowers in connection with complex real estate finance matters.  Stone received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and his J.D., cum laude, from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.

Samuel Swafford’s practice focuses on land acquisition and disposition, land development, land use and zoning, economic incentives, due diligence, and leasing. His experience also includes rezoning, annexations, subdivisions, variances, and right-of-way vacations. Swafford earned his undergraduate degree from DePauw University. He received his J.D. from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.

Alexandra Van Dusen focuses her practice in the area of gaming, where she advises on gaming regulatory law, including licensing, compliance, and general corporate matters in multiple jurisdictions. She has experience in a variety of complex litigation matters, including representing entities and individuals in disputes involving contracts, fraud, non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, professional negligence, and class action claims. Van Dusen earned her B.A. from the University of Michigan. She received her MBA from Loyola University Chicago Quinlan School of Business and her J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.

Abe Wehbi focuses his practice on all aspects of business law, with a specific focus on venture capital transactions. With experience representing start-ups, emerging growth stage companies and mature businesses, he helps a variety of privately held and public companies to successfully navigate the complexities of legal matters. Wehbi earned his undergraduate degree, summa cum laude, from DePaul University. He earned his J.D., cum laude, from Chicago-Kent College of Law.