Taft, one of the fastest-growing law firms in the nation, is pleased to welcome Joseph Heerens as senior counsel in the firm’s Indianapolis office. Having served on the executive teams of two Indiana governors, a Fortune 1000 public company, and the award-winning Indianapolis International Airport, Heerens is a sought-after and trusted advisor in the legal, legislative, regulatory, and policy arenas.

Prior to joining Taft, Heerens served as general counsel to former Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb during his eight years in office. He has also served as general counsel and government affairs director & ethics officer for the Indianapolis Airport Authority, where he handled legal and government affairs, ethics, insurance, risk management, and the airport’s land acquisition program. Heerens also served former Governor Mitch Daniels in multiple roles, including legal counsel, co-director of his legislative program, and policy advisor.

Prior to his public service, Heerens had extensive experience in the private sector as a generalist but with a particular focus on commercial real estate transactions, including leasing, acquisitions, dispositions, development, and sale-leasebacks.

“We are very pleased that Joe is joining Taft. He is a strong addition to our firm and has led an impressive career in public affairs and the legal field in general. Joe’s experience as both a private practitioner and in-house general counsel gives him a uniquely extensive knowledge base and perspective that will be valuable in our public affairs, real estate, and transactional practices,” said Kyle Hupfer, co-chair of Taft’s Public Affairs Strategies Group.

“I couldn’t have landed at a better place than Taft,” said Heerens.  “It is a remarkable firm with so much to offer. I’m delighted to be here and look forward to working with and contributing to Taft’s talented team.”

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Through a series of strategic mergers along with significant organic growth, Taft has more than 1,100 attorneys spanning from the Mountain West region to Washington, D.C. In addition to its merger with Sherman & Howard, effective Jan. 1, 2025, and Mrachek Law Firm effective June 30, 2025, the firm announced that it will expand into Atlanta and Washington, D.C., through a merger with Morris, Manning & Martin to become effective Dec. 31, 2025.