As Taft continues to grow its footprint in Colorado, the firm welcomed partner Michael Freimann, of counsel Joe Heaton, and associate Natalie Whitacre to its Denver office. Freimann is a highly-regarded employment law and commercial litigation attorney, Heaton focuses his practice on public affairs strategies, trade, and government law, bringing deep knowledge from Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., where he is co-located, and Whitacre is an experienced private client attorney, who previously worked at Sherman & Howard before its combination with Taft.

Freimann is a seasoned trial lawyer who counsels employers and businesses through a wide range of complex workplace and commercial disputes. In his employment practice, he advises clients on a full spectrum of issues, including executive employment agreements, disciplinary matters, and the enforcement of restrictive covenants and other unfair competition issues. As a commercial litigator, Freimann has resolved numerous contentious matters either at trial or through alternate dispute resolution, handling issues involving breach of contract, fraud, unjust enrichment, and breach of fiduciary duty.

Prior to moving into private practice, Freimann served as an Air Force Judge Advocate (JAG), gaining invaluable courtroom experience in a fast-paced, high-consequence environment. He has also served as in-house counsel and assistant general counsel for a Fortune 200 company, collaborating with leaders on business objectives and long-term goals. Freimann has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America and 5280 Magazine.

“The culture at Taft was a major factor in my decision,” said Freimann. “The attorneys and professionals I met were incredibly welcoming and easy to connect with, which speaks volumes about the firm. At the same time, Taft’s depth of experience and broad capabilities will enhance the service I can provide to clients, making this a win for both my practice and the people I represent.”

Heaton joins Taft’s Public Affairs Strategies group, advising organizations operating in the technology, life sciences, food and beverage, and cannabis sectors on legislative, regulatory, and communications challenges. He helps clients navigate the intersection of policy, business, and public perception, drawing on deep experience in coalition building, grassroots advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and domestic and international government relations.

Prior to joining the firm, Heaton served as executive director of government affairs for a technology, analytics, and data science company, where he managed policy initiatives at the state, federal, and global levels. Additionally, he ran government affairs for the largest brewing and beer importing businesses in the world. Finally, he spent a decade in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving as Deputy Chief of Staff to Congressman John Runyan of New Jersey and as Senior Advisor and Counsel to Congressman Michael Turner of Ohio.

“One of the greatest opportunities at Taft is the ability to serve as a bridge between clients in the Rocky Mountain region and Washington, D.C.,” said Heaton. “No matter the industry, organizations are impacted by decisions made at the federal level. By leveraging Taft’s national platform and strong presence in Colorado, I look forward to helping clients navigate those challenges and opportunities while collaborating with attorneys across the firm.”

Whitacre returns to her colleagues with whom she worked while with Sherman & Howard before the combination with Taft. Her practice encompasses sophisticated wealth transfer and preservation strategies, estate and gift tax planning, governance of private foundations, charitable giving, wills and trust agreements, succession planning, and marital agreements.

Whitacre has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America for her work in family law and is deeply committed to pro bono service, dedicating a significant portion of her practice to supporting clients through the Florence Crittenton Legal Clinic and the Legal Aid Foundation. Whitacre previously practiced at Sherman & Howard (S&H) before its combination with Taft and began her legal career as a summer associate with the firm.

On her decision to return to familiar surroundings, Whitacre said, “I always valued the community-oriented culture at Sherman & Howard and maintained strong relationships with the people here. Under the Taft banner, I’m impressed by the firm’s expanded national platform and resources. Many of my private client clients have legal needs that extend beyond trusts and estates, and being part of Taft provides a valuable opportunity to collaborate with attorneys across the country to better serve them.”

“Taft continues to attract exceptional talent in Colorado, and Michael and Joe are outstanding additions to our team, and we are thrilled to welcome back Natalie to the office,” said Taft Colorado and Nevada Partner-in-Charge Lyle Wallace. “Their experience, relationships, and perspectives will further strengthen our litigation, employment, government affairs, and private client capabilities while creating new opportunities for collaboration across the firm.”

Freimann, Heaton, and Whitacre’s arrival reflects Taft’s continued investment in Colorado following the firm’s 2025 combination with S&H. Since joining forces, Taft has expanded its presence across Aspen, Colorado Springs, and Denver, growing its Colorado attorney roster by 37%, adding 38 attorneys. Recent growth in Colorado includes:

• Colorado Springs: A seven-lawyer team arrived in February with deep experience in sports law, intellectual property, employment law, and litigation.
• Denver: Since January, Taft has added 9 attorneys to its Denver office, including a three-partner group whose practices span areas of energy, environmental, litigation, banking and financial services, and mining law.

Taft has also expanded in other markets across the country, underscoring the firm’s position as one of the nation’s fastest-growing law firms.

• Atlanta and Washington, D.C.: Effective Dec. 31, 2025, Taft completed its merger with Morris, Manning & Martin. The merger expanded Taft’s presence in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, establishing a foothold in Atlanta and deepening its reach in Washington, D.C.
• Florida: Effective June 30, 2025, the firm completed its merger with Mrachek Law, an 18-attorney litigation boutique in Florida with offices in West Palm Beach and Stuart, marking Taft’s entrance into the Southeast. Complementing this move, Taft also launched an office in Naples in June, expanding its Private Client practice.
• New York: In April, Taft launched an office in New York with a three-lawyer energy, infrastructure, and project finance group.
• Chicago: A five-member IP group joined in January, adding attorneys and agents with advanced technical degrees and decades of experience in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors.

About Taft

Founded in 1885, Taft is one of the nation’s fastest-growing law firms, with a 140-year legacy rooted in the historic Taft family. With more than 1,250 attorneys and a modern, non-headquarter operating model, Taft is committed to delivering exceptional legal service to today’s organizations and individuals. The firm is recognized nationally in the Am Law 100, Chambers USA, Best Lawyers®, and Super Lawyers. Learn more at Taftlaw.com.