Taft is pleased to welcome John R. Mitchell as a partner in the Compliance, Investigations, and White Collar Defense practice in the Cleveland office. Mitchell brings extensive experience in criminal matters including RICO, fraud, bribery, public corruption, theft, and money laundering. His civil matter experience ranges from business litigation and disputes; chemical, mass, and intentional tort matters; and product liability and personal injury litigation, to name a few.

Mitchell, an experienced first-chair trial lawyer, has defended companies and individuals in criminal, administrative, and civil trials in state and federal courts throughout the United States. Mitchell has briefed and prevailed in numerous appellate cases in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and the multiple Ohio Appellate Districts.

“John is a very experienced and highly successful trial lawyer, and a savvy negotiator, who has earned an outstanding reputation in business and legal communities throughout the state of Ohio and beyond. By joining us, John adds depth to Taft’s thriving Compliance, Investigations, and White Collar Defense practice group firm-wide and in the Cleveland market with Taft partner Charles Bowers,” stated Ralph W. Kohnen, chair of Taft’s Compliance, Investigations, and White Collar Defense practice. “Many people at Taft have known, respected, and genuinely liked John for a lot of years. John understands our firm’s clients-come-first approach, and we’re glad he’s here.”

Mitchell’s distinguished 25-year career is acknowledged by the multiple honors he has received, including, most notably, recognition as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, whose membership is restricted to the top one percent of trial lawyers, as unanimously recognized by their peers. 

“It was an easy decision to join Taft, given its growth-oriented reputation and transparent modern law firm culture. I look forward to growing the next chapter of my career here,” stated Mitchell.

Early in his career, Mitchell served as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Cuyahoga County, Ohio under Prosecuting Attorneys Stephanie Tubbs Jones and William D. Mason. He ascended to the elite Major Trials Unit where he first-chaired homicide, rape, and public corruption cases, and directed complex grand jury investigations of large institutions and individuals allegedly involved in criminal activity.

Mitchell received his undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University in 1992 and his J.D. from Capital University Law School in 1996.