Cincinnati, OH  –  Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP announced today a significant extension of the term of its current lease in the US Bank Tower in downtown Cincinnati.  Taft also announced that it would be expanding its current space during the next several years.  The extension and expansion are the result of growth at the firm over the past several years and the renewal of the Fountain Square area.

The firm currently occupies approximately 115,000 square feet on five floors. With the expansion, the firm will occupy an additional 20,000 square feet in the immediate future and has the ability to take additional space as needed.  The firm signed a lease that runs through 2023.

“Taft has been committed to the Cincinnati region and the city center for its entire 122 year history and remains excited about being downtown.  The depth of our enthusiasm is demonstrated by the significant extension of the term of our lease and the commitment to expanding our offices on the newly renovated Fountain Square,” said Ed Diller, Partner-In-Charge, Cincinnati Office, and member of the firm’s executive committee.

One of the new, unique features will be a second floor meeting and conference area that has an all glass front overlooking Fountain Square. 

_{Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory, Steve Kimball of KZF, and Ed Diller announce Taft’s expansion.}

Committed to Downtown, Driving Growth
Taft was located at Dixie Terminal until moving to the U.S. Bank building in 1981.  At that time, the firm had 95 attorneys and associates.  By 2000 the firm had grown to 144 professionals and today has 211 lawyers and 290 total employees in Cincinnati.  Taft has 422 employees firm-wide (includes Cincinnati and offices in Columbus, Cleveland, Dayton and Northern Kentucky).

“What is happening at the Taft law firm is exactly the kind of development that will enable downtown Cincinnati to continue to grow and prosper,” Diller said.  He noted that high-quality professional jobs create additional economic growth in support services, retail establishments and restaurants and spurs downtown living in the condominiums that have grown in number over the past several years, especially among young professionals.
  
Taft did not ask for or receive tax abatement considerations for the expansion.  Nor did it look for office space outside the downtown area. “Our roots are downtown and we are committed to this city and its downtown core.  We trust that our commitment to and confidence will help spur additional development in this great city” Diller said.

Design and Construction Plans
Earlier this year, Taft remodeled its existing space, opening up public and office areas and updating interior furniture and fixtures.

The new second floor meeting space, tentatively named The Taft Center, is being designed by architectural firm KZF and built by Messer Construction.  It will include a combination of conference and large room meeting space, along with informal sitting spaces fronting Fountain Square. “A view like this is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Diller said.  “Our goal is to create an open atmosphere that will leverage the excitement and energy from the Square,” said Diller.  Planning is just beginning, but renovations for the space are expected to be completed early in 2008.

Diller said the meeting rooms will be made available as possible and practical to public entities.  “Our attorneys and staff are heavily involved in many civic and community organizations, and we encourage them to use our facilities as they perform that volunteer work,” he said.  The firm also hosts specialized programs for clients and others. An example is Taft’s Professional Women’s Resource Group that invites women leaders in civic life and business to meet to network and share knowledge and ideas in areas of interests.

More About Taft
Taft also has offices in Columbus, Cleveland, Dayton and Northern Kentucky. The firm provides a broad range of legal services to businesses and individuals, including litigation, corporate and business law, securities and municipal financing, tax and estate planning, labor and employment law, real estate and environmental, health care, intellectual property and unfair competition and antitrust law.