Taft Expands Midwest Reach and Capabilities With Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss Merger in Detroit Market

Taft is pleased to announce its upcoming combination with leading Michigan full-service law firm Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, P.C., effective Dec. 31, 2022. With the addition of Jaffe, Taft will be comprised of more than 800 attorneys in eight primary Midwest markets and the District of Columbia.

Founded 54 years ago in 1968, Jaffe has established itself as one of the most respected full-service law firms in Michigan — representing public and private clients throughout the Midwest and United States, and internationally, with a Midwestern rate structure. With offices in Detroit and Southfield, Jaffe is currently the seventh-largest law firm in the Detroit metro area with more than 120 attorneys, representing over 25 practice areas.

“Jaffe is starting a new, modern chapter by joining Taft,” said Jaffe CEO Mark Cooper. “Taft shares our entrepreneurial mindset, Midwestern values, and commitment to culture, community, and client service. Our ability to leverage Taft’s resources and expertise will provide an opportunity to drive even greater value and results to our clients.”

Jaffe’s Chairman Arthur Weiss stated, “Jaffe was founded more than 50 years ago and has created a firm centered on client service and exceptional legal counsel. By joining with Taft, a firm that shares our values and client-first approach, we ensure the legacy of the firm will continue for generations to come, in alignment with our foundational principles.”

Taft operates an innovative “non-headquarter” model, allowing offices to thrive under empowered local leadership. Local offices are supported by a deep bench of legal expertise across a diverse array of practice areas. After joining Taft, the current Jaffe leadership team will continue to lead and make Detroit market decisions, and many will step into firm-wide leadership roles, serving on Taft’s executive committee, all other major committees of the firm, and chairing practice groups.

“At Taft, our pervasive ‘client-first’ approach is central to who we are and how we operate,” said Robert J. Hicks, Taft’s chairman and managing partner. “By combining with Jaffe, we welcome a cohesive, talented, and experienced group of attorneys and staff to our team, offering expanded expertise to clients. As in all of our mergers, we also look forward to continuing to support the Detroit regional community, united in our commitment to engage with our communities — a shared value among our firms.”

The Jaffe combination expands the firm’s footprint into the second largest metropolitan market in the Midwest, providing Taft clients with major offices in seven of the nine largest Midwest metropolitan markets. In addition to several strategic lateral hires and robust internal growth, Taft has completed five mergers/combinations in the past 15 years — Briggs & Morgan (Minneapolis) in 2020, Shefsky & Froelich (Chicago) in 2014, Chester Willcox & Saxbe (Columbus) in 2012, and Kahn Kleinman (Cleveland) and Sommer Barnard (Indianapolis), both in 2008.

In the last five years, Taft has grown its attorney headcount by more than 85%. In 2022, it was named an Am Law 100 firm. Such growth has enabled Taft to invest significantly in modern initiatives, including its focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Today, more than 70% of Taft’s executive leadership team are women and/or racially and ethnically diverse attorneys. The firm has earned the prestigious Mansfield Rule Certification 4.0 Plus status.

For more information, visit Taftlaw.com and Jaffelaw.com.

About Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss

Michigan-based Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, P.C. is a full-service business law firm representing and advising entrepreneurs and businesses nationwide. Focused on results, invested in relationships and driven by opportunity, Jaffe has more than 120 attorneys in its Southfield and Detroit offices. Learn more at Jaffelaw.com.

About Taft

Founded in 1885, Taft is focused on being the modern law firm. From its non-headquarter model to a one-class partnership structure, the firm is committed to its core values of integrity, inclusivity, and teamwork in order to help clients succeed by delivering progressive, agile, and efficient solutions. Learn more at Taftlaw.com.