Taft, one of the nation’s fastest-growing law firms, announced today the continued expansion of its Public Affairs Strategies Group (PASG) with the addition of six professionals across Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Columbus, and Denver, all joining from Ice Miller.

The additions reflect Taft’s continued investment in its bipartisan public affairs platform and deepen the firm’s presence in Washington, D.C., where it operates two offices, one on Capitol Hill and its recently added Dupont Circle location. As clients face increasingly complex regulatory, legislative, and political landscapes, Taft continues to expand its ability to serve clients at every level of government.

The new team members joining are:

• Tim Day joins as vice president of public affairs, based in Columbus and Washington, D.C. With a deep understanding of legislative and regulatory advocacy, he has a strong track record of shaping policy and guiding key initiatives through the legislative process to become law.
• Joe Heaton joins as of counsel based in Denver and Washington, D.C. He helps clients understand how government decisions are made, who influences them, and how to effectively advance their objectives. Drawing on over 20 years of experience spanning Capitol Hill, trade associations, corporate government affairs, and highly regulated industries, he brings a practical, strategic perspective to every matter.
• Hartwell Marable joins as an associate based in Columbus. He has been working as a political advocate for over a decade, focusing on state legislative and executive branch lobbying on behalf of clients to develop and implement their public policy initiatives.
• Jarrod Loadholt joins as a partner based in Atlanta and Washington, D.C. He advises corporate, governmental, and nonprofit clients regarding complex legislative, regulatory, and compliance matters and collaborates with corporate, civic, and governmental executives on public affairs and political strategy across federal, state, and local policy environments.
• Michael Stroud joins as a partner based in Washington, D.C. With more than 20 years of experience in government and private practice, he helps clients navigate Washington’s evolving legislative, political, and regulatory landscape. Focusing on Congressional funding, tariffs and trade, environment, and transportation. He is a former presidential appointee where he served in senior leadership roles including at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, building on a distinguished career spanning Congress, federal trade enforcement, and public utility advocacy.
• Meagan Sunn joins as vice president of government affairs, based in Washington, D.C. She advises clients across the technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) and digital infrastructure sectors, helping them navigate the legal, regulatory, and public policy issues shaping the digital economy. Drawing on experience in Congress, federal telecommunications policy, and private practice, Sunn develops integrated government affairs and regulatory strategies that support infrastructure deployment, market expansion, and long-term business growth.

“These additions represent the continued growth of our Public Affairs Strategies Group and the increasing demand from clients for integrated legal, policy, and advocacy counsel,” said Carl Drummer, senior VP and co-chair of Taft’s Public Affairs Strategies Group. “This team brings deep experience at the intersection of government, business, and public policy, and their arrival further strengthens our ability to deliver strategic solutions to clients navigating complex legislative and regulatory environments.”

“Washington remains an important center of influence for our clients, and expanding our capabilities there is a natural next step in the evolution of our public affairs platform,” said Kyle Hupfer, partner and co-chair of Taft’s PASG. “These additions bring policy insight and trusted relationships that will create immediate value for clients.”

This group is the latest to join in a series of recent team hires for Taft. In recent months, Taft welcomed a seven-lawyer team in Colorado Springs, nine attorneys, including a three-partner group, in Denver, and a five-member intellectual property team in Chicago. Together, these group hires showcase Taft’s ongoing commitment to building depth in industry-focused practices nationwide.

About Taft

Taft is one of the nation’s fastest-growing law firms, with a modern, non-headquarter operating model and more than 1,250 attorneys across 25 offices. Founded in 1885, the firm is recognized nationally in Am Law 100, Chambers USA, Best Lawyers®, and Super Lawyers.