WASHINGTON, May 13, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Taft is pleased to announce that Marcia L. Fudge will join the firm as a Partner
and its firmwide Chair of Public Policy after serving in President
Joe Biden's Cabinet as the 18th
Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD). Former Secretary Fudge is the second African American woman
to lead HUD, having steered the agency through a housing crisis
exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Former Secretary Fudge will dedicate a portion of her time to
the firm's ongoing efforts to combat the harmful effects of forever
chemicals. Her significant experience and outstanding reputation
will be invaluable to Taft's clients, while also bolstering
the firm's relationships with governmental and corporate leaders
both in her home state of Ohio and
across the United States.
"My top priority as a leader has always been to develop
effective solutions and results for the people and communities I
have been called to serve. In my transition to life as a private
citizen and attorney, it was important for me to land among
professionals who are similarly dedicated to solutions-driven work.
Taft's core values, culture, leadership principles, and commitment
to its clients strongly align with my personal values, as does its
modern approach to service. I greatly look forward to collaborating
with my new colleagues in my role as Partner and Chair of Public
Policy, which I am honored will allow me to return to my roots in
Ohio, and maintain a strong
presence in Washington, D.C.,"
said Fudge.
"I am personally very proud and excited for Taft with this
announcement. Bringing someone of Secretary Fudge's stature and
caliber is highly strategic for Taft. She is a tremendous leader
with an astute vision, impeccable integrity, and a deep passion for
serving our nation's communities. Taft is very fortunate that she
has selected this as her professional home. Secretary Fudge's
service-oriented leadership and vast experience will have an
extremely positive impact on our clients and the communities we
serve," said Taft Chairman and Managing Partner Robert J. Hicks.
Former Secretary Fudge has deep roots in Ohio, having begun her career in public
service in the Cuyahoga County,
Ohio Prosecutor's Office and having served as the first
woman and first African American person elected Mayor of
Warrensville Heights, Ohio. From
2008 until 2021, former Secretary Fudge served as the U.S.
Representative for the 11th Congressional District of Ohio. She is also a former national president
of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, one of the nation's
largest African American sororities, and a past chair of the
Congressional Black Caucus, or the CBC. It was there that she
worked closely with Lacy M. Johnson,
Partner-in-Charge of Taft's Washington,
D.C. office and a member of President Biden's Export
Council.
"It is an honor and privilege to welcome Secretary Fudge to
Taft. What she has achieved in her career is inspirational, and her
presence at Taft will be highly impactful for our clients and
teams. On a personal level, I know firsthand that she is a great
leader, who is insightful and collaborative in everything she does.
Secretary Fudge knows how to bring people together – often with
disparate viewpoints and experiences – to accomplish goals and to
serve the common good," Johnson said.
After being courted by other major law firms and corporations,
she was drawn to Taft as the result of the firm's strong
Ohio presence and roots,
successful growth strategy and track record, culture, standards of
excellence, and most specifically, her long-time and trusted
relationship with Johnson.
As part of former Secretary Fudge's extended team, Imani Edwards (based in Taft Cleveland) and
Garrett McDaniel (based in Taft
Washington, D.C.) each will join
Taft as a director of public affairs. Former Secretary Fudge will
also play an important role in recruiting additional top legal
talent to Taft.
Former Secretary Fudge earned her bachelor's degree in business
from The Ohio State University and her
law degree from the Cleveland State
University Cleveland-Marshall School of Law.
Ranked in the prestigious Am Law 100 as the 83rd 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, D.C. 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 nation's fastest growing law
firm in 2022. As a result, Taft is now approximately the 50th
largest law firm in the U.S. by lawyer headcount.
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SOURCE Taft