Taft Announces Six New Attorneys and Expansion of Public Infrastructure Experience

Taft announces a team of six attorneys has joined the firm, expanding the firm’s experience in public infrastructure, including public-private partnerships (P3), public finance, broadband telecommunications, and utilities. All are joining from Ice Miller with Greg Dunn, Chris Miller, Matt Miller, Lauren Stenger, and Nicole Woods based in the Taft Columbus office and Tom John based in the Taft Indianapolis office.

“The addition of this talented group will further increase our depth and breadth of experience as we continue to strategically grow our team to better serve the Midwest and beyond,” said Janica Pierce Tucker, partner-in-charge of the Taft Columbus office.

New Taft Partner Tom John said, “Taft offers an exciting platform for us as we continue to expand our practices and will enable us to access and offer more capabilities to support our clients. The firm’s entrepreneurial drive, comprehensive service offerings, and deep dedication to serving its clients align with our core values, and we look forward to flourishing through this transition.”

New Taft Partner Chris Miller added, “The specific timing of our move to Taft perfectly aligns with our team’s need for additional resources and a greater depth of bench to address client requirements regarding the recent significant increase in governmental funding for and the deployment of broadband infrastructure at federal, state, and local levels. Further, Taft’s existing team of accomplished energy and utility lawyers provides us with enhanced staffing and added experience for the work we do for clients in the energy and utility space.”

The attorneys joining Taft include:

• Greg Dunn (Columbus) is senior counsel in the firm’s Public Affairs Strategies Group, where he exercises his comprehensive knowledge of both public utility and broadband issues and regularly works with clients on Smart City initiatives and public-private partnerships. He has represented telecommunication clients for more than 40 years, providing legal and strategic assistance to a variety of private and public clients.

• Tom John (Indianapolis) joins as a partner in the firm’s Public Affairs Strategies Group, where he focuses his government practice on public infrastructure, government procurement, public-private partnerships, and serves as general and advisory counsel to private companies. He is active nationally in promoting and educating on the benefits of the P3 industry while representing many clients, including publicly traded companies, early-stage companies, government project owners, and project developers.

• Chris Miller (Columbus) is a partner in the firm’s Public Affairs Strategies Group and advises private entities, public agencies, and individuals on legal and practical issues relating to energy and utility matters, telecommunications (both wired and wireless), broadband services, information technology, and associated regulatory matters. He has extensive experience representing clients with forming and operating sophisticated P3s involving energy and telecommunications infrastructure.

• Matt Miller (Columbus) joins as a partner in Taft’s Public Finance practice group. He serves as bond counsel, disclosure counsel, and underwriter’s counsel on financings and provides specific expertise in tender transactions and the financing and operation of public transportation systems. He regularly advises government entities and developers on public-private partnerships for infrastructure projects, including infrastructure investment and project delivery methods, the integration of sustainability solutions in projects, and the applicability of various economic development tools.

• Lauren Stenger (Columbus) is an associate in Taft’s Energy and Public Affairs Strategies Groups and is licensed in Ohio and Michigan. She advises private entities, public agencies, and individuals on legal and practical issues relating to energy and utility matters, telecommunications (both wired and wireless), broadband services, and associated business matters.

• Nicole Woods (Columbus) is counsel in Taft’s Litigation practice group, focusing on financial services and securities litigation and arbitration, contract disputes, business torts, and construction disputes. She has also assisted in significant utilities litigation, regulatory, and administrative matters.

“These talented attorneys are highly regarded as leaders in their field and carry an impressive track record of success that aligns with the Taft approach to client service,” said Brad Schwer, partner-in-charge of the Taft Indianapolis office.

Ranked in the prestigious Am Law 100 as the 83^rd largest firm in the U.S. in 2024 by revenue, Taft has approximately 875 attorneys spread across nine major markets – eight in the Midwest (Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Detroit, Indianapolis, and Minneapolis) as well as Washington, DC. The firm has grown its lawyer headcount by 250% and revenues by 325% since 2017, which led to being recognized by Am Law 100 as the fastest growing law firm in 2022. As a result, Taft is now approximately the 50^th largest law firm in the U.S. by lawyer headcount.