Twenty-one Taft attorneys were selected to Ohio Rising Stars 2025. Rising Stars recognizes outstanding up-and-coming attorneys in the state – no more than 2.5% of lawyers in the state are named to the list.

Following are the Taft honorees:

Ohio Rising Stars 2025 – Cincinnati

• William E. Braff (Business Litigation)*
• Bryar Brandvold (Securities & Corporate Finance)
• Jada M. Colon (Business Litigation)*
• Andrew L. Field (Mergers & Acquisitions)*
• Benjamin W. Hager (Tax)*
• Christopher Tassone (Tax)
• Sam Zeller (Mergers & Acquisitions)*

Ohio Rising Stars 2025 – Cleveland

• Mira Aftim (Criminal Defense: White Collar)
• Ina Avalon (Energy & Resources)*
• Michael De Matteis (Mergers & Acquisitions)
• JoZeff W. Gebolys (Business Litigation)
• David J. Haba (Real Estate)*
• Daniela Paez (Business Litigation)

Ohio Rising Stars 2025 – Columbus

• Sarah M. Benoit (Business Litigation)
• Lauren A. Kemp (Workers’ Compensation)
• Jonathan N. Olivito (Business Litigation)

Ohio Rising Stars 2025 – Dayton

• Zachary D. Eddy (Energy & Resources)
• Kristin H. Hardy (Intellectual Property)
• Zachary Heck (Technology Transactions)
• Charles D. Pfister (Intellectual Property)
• Shawna M. Sorrell (Employment & Labor)

* Newly recognized.

About Super Lawyers

Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding attorneys from more than 70 practice areas who have a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations.