Michael W. "Mike" Hawkins

Jim Jansing is co-leader of the firm’s Business Representation and Transactions Group . His practice is concentrated in the general corporate, finance and international corporate areas. He acts in a general counsel capacity for several firm clients. He has substantial experience in private aircraft financing transactions, ship construction, ship financing and logistics (container, generator and chassis) matters. He represents both public and closely-held corporations pertaining to inter...

James M. Zimmerman is a partner in Taft’s Business and Finance Group and co-chair of the firm’s private equity and venture capital practice. He represents businesses, entrepreneurs and investors on a range of matters, including financing transactions, mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, technology licensing agreements, and stock options/executive compensation. James serves as outside counsel for numerous startups and growth companies, and represents private equity and ...

Patrick J. Beirne is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs. Patrick J., who practices law in Covington, Kentucky, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Patrick J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

TRACEY A. PUTHOFF, a partner in the Business and Finance Department, graduated from Chase College of Law, where she was Order of the Curia and a research editor of the Northern Kentucky Law Review . Ms. Puthoff received her undergraduate degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Missouri and worked as an engineer for McDonnell Aircraft Company and GE Aircraft Engines. Her practice includes all aspects of general corporate law, primarily focusing on mergers and acquisitions and co...

Rebecca J. Davis is a principal in the Cincinnati, Ohio, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. Rebecca has represented national and international companies in all forms of employment litigation proceedings, including single plaintiff and class action litigation, arbitration, and administrative charges. She regularly provides preventative advice and counsel on employer decisions and practices in all phases of the employment cycle, including hiring and interviewing, policy and process development, affir...

Andrew Spoor practices in the firm's Real Estate Group, with an emphasis on law related to the financing of real estate and industrial developments. Andrew's practice is concentrated in the areas of municipal tax-exempt and taxable bond financing, as well as tax incentive and economic development programs. In particular, he has experience with several governmental incentive programs, including port authority financing options and Ohio’s job creation tax credit program. Andrew also pract...

Jennifer L. Lawrence is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Jennifer L., who practices law in Covington, Kentucky, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jennifer L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

JULIA B. MEISTER is a partner in Taft's Litigation, Health & Life Sciences, and Private Client practice groups and heads the firm's Cincinnati Estates, Trusts and Fiduciary Litigation practice. She counsels clients and represents them in business, commercial, estate, guardianship, trust, and fiduciary matters and professional ethics and discipline matters before courts, administrative tribunals, and arbitrators. Julia advises clients on a variety of health care issues, including privacy, ...

Don Rafferty combines his experience in the areas of business restructuring, commercial finance, corporate law, and litigation to provide legal and strategic advice to the firm’s business clients on a wide range of issues. Don frequently counsels clients who either are experiencing financial stress or are dealing with distressed companies. He has advised on sales, acquisitions, and restructurings for numerous middle-market companies. Don has significant experience in transactions, dispu...

Bill Geisen is chair of the firm's Construction Service Group. His practice focuses on construction law including dispute resolution, litigation and contract negotiation. Bill is a Fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers, a Fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America, and a Fellow with the Litigation Counsel of America. Bill is a frequent lecturer for the University of Kentucky College of Law, the Construction Lawyers Society of America, Construction Users Roundtable ...