Taft is pleased to recognize the following attorneys and staff for their outstanding achievements in pro bono work with its 2025 Pro Bono Awards.

Jada M. Colon / Litigation / Cincinnati devoted more than 175 hours to represent an incarcerated individual in a prisoner civil rights suit. The client originally brought this lawsuit pro se (without the assistance of an attorney), alleging he was treated with excessive force while being held as a pre-trial detainee. Jada represented her client in a bifurcated bench trial and negotiated a settlement for her client on the day of the jury trial.

Kristin H. Hardy / Intellectual Property / Dayton provided invaluable IP transactional support to local, small nonprofit clients. Kristin worked with nonprofits to resolve infringement issues, advise them on the benefits and costs of state and federal copyright and trademark registration, the scope and strategy of pursuing trademark and copyright protection, and how to leverage those protections to build on the value of their brands.

Aaron G. Thomas / Litigation / Minneapolis; Nathan W. Ball / Minneapolis. Aaron and Nathan represented a Honduran mother and daughter seeking asylum in the United States. These clients were persecuted by MS-13, a transnational criminal organization, and they fled to Minnesota. Aaron and Nathan worked relentlessly for more than seven years to help their pro bono clients avoid deportation and successfully obtain legal status in the US.

Taft attorneys dedicate thousands of hours each year to pro bono work. The firm’s commitment to public service is embedded in its culture and reflected in its client-first approach. The Pro Bono Awards were initiated to recognize attorneys who best exemplify Taft’s commitment to supporting its communities.

The 2025 Pro Bono winners were carefully chosen by Taft’s Pro Bono Committee. The Committee evaluates each nominee’s overall pro bono achievements, the time, talent, and energy invested into the cases handled, and the positive impact of their work. Each recipient can direct a donation by Taft to a charitable organization of their choice. Colon’s donation will go to the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati, Hardy’s donation will go to Pro Bono Partnership of Ohio, and Thomas and Ball’s donation will go to The Advocates for Human Rights.

“Our Pro Bono Award winners have made a meaningful impact, using their legal skills and dedication to expand access to justice and uplift those in need. The Pro Bono Committee is proud to celebrate their impact, and our Committee remains dedicated to fostering a culture of service and advocacy at Taft,” said Philip Williamson, Taft partner and Pro Bono Committee Chair.

As an integral part of the firm’s community values, Taft attorneys are committed to providing legal services to low-income individuals, nonprofit and community organizations, and public interest causes. In 2025, Taft continues to cultivate its pro bono commitments through the Pro Bono Committee’s efforts and the outstanding work done by attorneys and staff across all of its markets.