Megan M. Okun

Megan focuses her practice on counseling nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations and on estate planning for high net-worth families. To assist her clients, Megan offers counsel on tax issues, as well as business succession planning and estate administration. High-net-worth individuals and families trust her to compassionately oversee some of their most sensitive and confidential issues. She has experience working in probate and trust administration and is committed to helping her clients prepare for the future.

Given her knowledge of and experience with tax law, Megan helps nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations of all shapes and sizes navigate all tax and governance aspects of their organizations and operations. Megan has extensive experience counseling large tax-exempt organizations, including colleges and universities, health systems, and company and family foundations, regarding governance, structuring, and compliance matters. Further, she guides them through the nuances of joint ventures, fundraising, endowment fund strategies, charitable and planned giving program criteria, commercial coventures, and working with donors.

Megan received her undergraduate degree from Clemson University, magna cum laude, and an M.A. from The Ohio State University. She earned her J.D., magna cum laude, from Indiana University Maurer School of Law. She was a member of the Order of the Coif and served the Executive Articles Editor for the Indiana Law Journal. She remains an active alumna, and is a member of the Indiana Maurer School of Law Alumni Board. Megan is the president of the Cincinnati Observatory Foundation, as well as a member of the boards of the Cincinnati Observatory Center and the Greater Cincinnati Planned Giving Council. Prior to joining Taft in 2017, Megan was an associate in a Chicago AmLaw 100 firm.

Megan is recognized by Best Lawyers in America as “Ones to Watch” for  Nonprofit/Charities Law, Trusts and Estates Law. She was selected as a member of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber’s C-Change Class 16, a 10-month leadership development program designed for advancing careers in Greater Cincinnati. Megan is also recognized by Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars for Estate Planning and Probate Law in 2020 – 2022.

Speeches

“The Basics of a Nonprofit Organization,” Cincinnati Bar Association, Feb. 19, 2019.

“Charitable Gift Planning” presentation (CLE), St. Vincent de Paul – Dayton, Nov. 16, 2018.

Publications

Author, “Honoring Donor’s Intent: A Legal and Ethical Obligation,” Pro Bono Brief, Pro Bono Partnership of Ohio, Feb. 7, 2023.

Author, “Honoring Donor’s Intent: A Legal and Ethical Obligation,” Taft Law Bulletin, March 3, 2022.

Co-author, “Supreme Court Strikes Down California’s Charity Donor Disclosure Law,” Taft Law Bulletin, July 2, 2021.

Co-author, “Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments Over Whether California Can Compel Charities To Disclose Donor Identities,” Taft Law Bulletin, April 27, 2021.

Co-author, “Ohio Enacts Legislation Allowing Benefit Corporation” Taft Law Bulletin, Jan. 21, 2021.

Co-author, “IRS Issues Final Regulations Regarding Application of Code Section 4960” Taft Law Bulletin, Jan. 1, 2021.

Co-author, “Accessing Your Endowment in Uncertain Times: What Organizations Need to Know,” Taft Law Bulletin, Nov. 3, 2020.

Co-author, “IRS Issues Proposed Regulations Clarifying Application of Code Section 4960,” Taft Law Bulletin, June 19, 2020.

Co-author, “Is Your Business Donating Goods or Services to COVID-19 Relief Efforts?” Taft Law Bulletin, April 14, 2020.

Co-author, “Philanthropy in the Time of COVID-19 for Businesses,” Taft Law Bulletin, March 23, 2020.

Co-author, “Philanthropy in the Time of COVID-19 for Individuals,” Taft Law Bulletin, March 23, 2020.

Co-author, “New Code Section 4960,” Taft Law Bulletin, July 17, 2019.

Co-author, “Prioritize Your Estate Plan Now,” Cincinnati Business Courier, Sept. 13, 2018.