W. Stuart Dornette

Summary

Stuart has substantial personal experience in complex litigation – particularly involving financial, corporate, and securities issues – in state and federal courts within and outside Ohio.

He also has represented the Cincinnati Bengals in many aspects of their business operations and has been involved in all aspects of the development, financing, leasing, and construction of the Paul Brown Football Stadium. He has worked extensively, as well, with technology clients of the firm.

Stuart graduated magna cum laude from Williams College with honors in mathematics and highest honors in physics; he received his law degree from the University of Virginia. He has taught trial practice as an adjunct professor of law at the University of Cincinnati College of Law.

He has served as a political and public policy advisor to numerous candidates and organizations and is a member of the National Panel of Neutrals of the American Arbitration Association. Stuart is also a manager of Focused Capitol Solutions, a public policy and public affairs affiliate of Taft.

Recognized every year since 2001 by The Best Lawyers in America, the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession, Stuart has been named “Lawyer of the Year” in Cincinnati for Litigation – Municipal in 2012, 2017, and 2025 and for Litigation – Securities in 2016, 2018, and 2021.

Stuart is also included in Who’s Who in America and has been named an Ohio Super Lawyer by Cincinnati Magazine. He is honored by Chambers USA as one of Taft’s “Leaders in their Field” and was named a “Local Litigation Star” by Benchmark Litigation, the definitive guide to America’s leading business litigation firms and attorneys.

Awards

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Education

  • University of Virginia School of Law (1975)
  • Williams College (1972)

Admissions

  • Federal - 6th Circuit Court of Appeals
  • Federal - Northern District of Ohio
  • Federal - Southern District of Ohio
  • Federal - U.S. Supreme Court
  • Federal - 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals
  • Federal - 5th Circuit Court of Appeals
  • State - Ohio

News

Past Events

Professional Affiliations

  • American Arbitration Association National Roster of Neutrals

    Member

  • Cincinnati Bar Association

    Former Chair, Common Pleas Court Committee (1986 – 1988)

  • Leadership Cincinnati

    Former Member, Steering Committee (1988 – 1990)

  • Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference

    Life Member

  • Supreme Court of Ohio

    Former Member, Board of Bar Examiners (1992 – 1993)

Community Involvement

  • American Physical Society

    Member

  • Anderson Hills United Methodist Church

    Member, Finance Committee

  • Cincinnati Parks Foundation

    Former Trustee (1995 – 2004)

  • Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

    Trustee (1983 – 1994, 2006 – present)
    Board Chair (2016 – present)
    Former Board Vice President (1992 – 1994)
    Former Chair of Search Committees (2000 – 2001, 2006 – 2007)

  • Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce

    Member, Government Affairs Council

  • Hamilton County Republican Party

    Member, Executive Committee (1982 – present)
    Member, Finance Committee (1992 – present)

  • United Way of Greater Cincinnati

    Former Member, Campaign Cabinet (2006)
    Former Member, Allocation Committee (1980 – 1984)

  • University of Cincinnati College of Law

    Adjunct Professor
    Former Member, Board of Visitors (2002 – 2006)

  • Williams College Alumni Association of Cincinnati

    Former President (1983 – 1986)

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