Stephen Lerner

Kirby D. Ifland is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Kirby D., who practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kirby D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael L. Meyer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Construction. Michael L., who practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lisa Wintersheimer Michel's practice is concentrated in the employee benefits (ERISA) and executive compensation areas. Her practice primarily involves all aspects of qualified retirement plans, including profit sharing plans, 401(k) plans, employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) and defined benefit plans, executive compensation matters and welfare benefit plans. This includes compliance with laws including tax, labor, COBRA, HIPAA and other applicable laws, and administration and operation of...

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 ...

Christopher A. Deabler is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law. Christopher A., who practices law in Covington, Kentucky, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

W. Timothy Miller is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation - Bankruptcy. W. Timothy, who practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which W. Timothy is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Paul M. De Marco is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Paul M., who practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Paul M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Luke Blocher is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Luke, who practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Luke is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

MARGARET AVRIL LAWSONjoined the firm in 1982 and is chair of the firm's Intellectual Property Practice. Ms. Lawson graduated from Dartmouth College, summa cum laude , Phi Beta Kappa, and Harvard Law School. Her intellectual property practice includes trademark, trade secret, copyright, privacy and data security, and right of publicity. Ms. Lawson has extensive experience in drafting and negotiating license agreements, technology transfer agreements and other contracts in areas that include bi...

Step into Bob Pitcairn’s office, and you will be greeted by classical music, an uncluttered desk, and a sense of calm not normally associated with litigation (or a litigator’s office). But make no mistake, the business litigation Bob performs with surgical precision often has the highest stakes for his corporate and individual clients. Just as a surgeon would, Bob operates in these cases with a studied approach, a deliberate pace, a steady hand, and no fear of getting a little blo...