This month, Taft welcomed 45 summer associates as it commenced its 2026 Summer Associate Program in its Phoenix, Arizona; Denver, Colorado; Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana; Detroit/Southfield, Michigan; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Dayton, Ohio; Washington, DC; and West Palm Beach, Florida Taft offices.

This year’s summer associates include:

1. Arya Abkenar / Second Year / Emory University School of Law
2. Ernesto Ausejo / Second Year / University of Alabama
3. Clark Austin / Second Year / Case Western Reserve University
4. Tony Bilott / Second Year / NKU Chase College of Law
5. Asher Block / Second Year / Wayne State University
6. Autumn Bristow / Second Year / Georgia State University
7. Lauren Caplan / Second Year / Georgia State University
8. Alex Carr / Second Year / Indiana University Maurer School of Law
9. Milena de Avila / First Year / Syracuse University
10. Akshat Donti / Second Year / University of Illinois College of Law
11. Holly Ely / Second Year / University of Colorado
12. Aaron Ford II / Second Year / The Ohio State University Michael E. Moritz College of Law
13. Tyler Foumia / First Year / University of Toledo
14. Jonathan Gardiner / First Year / American University
15. Christina Ge / Second Year / Arizona State University
16. Skyler Gill / Second Year / University of Colorado
17. Max Graham / First Year / Wake Forest University School of Law
18. Isha Gupta / First Year / University of North Carolina
19. Jillian Hurt / First Year / Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
20. Gabriel Ijjo / Second Year / University of St. Thomas
21. Kyla Jackson / Second Year / Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
22. Jack Keane / First Year / Northwestern University
23. Kyle Kelly / First Year / NKU Chase College of Law
24. Jake Kessler / Second Year / Capital University
25. Brandon King / Second Year / Georgia State University
26. Hannah Leonard / Second Year / Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
27. Alex Licht / Second Year / University of St. Thomas
28. Bennett McGraw / Second Year / Wayne State University Law School
29. Caitlyn Miles / Second Year / University of Iowa
30. Rayce Miller / Second Year / Arizona State University
31. William O’Keefe / First Year / Loyola University
32. Min Ho Park / First Year / University of Minnesota
33. Ashley Patriquin / Second Year / Emory University
34. Merit Pogue / Second Year / Wake Forest University
35. McCoy Reynolds / First Year / University of North Carolina
36. Richard Roediger / Second Year / Vanderbilt University Law School
37. Sierra Romero / First Year / University of Denver
38. Helena Ronnebaum / First Year / Case Western Reserve University
39. Paige Safenovitz / Second Year / Capital University Law School
40. Barrett Sogard / Second Year / University of Florida
41. Callia Téllez / Second Year / The Ohio State University Michael E. Moritz College of Law
42. Caleb Thome / Second Year / University of Colorado Law School
43. Kaitlyn Winkelman / First Year / University of Colorado Law School
44. Kaia Woodford / First Year / The University of Cincinnati
45. Seth Workman / First Year / The University of Georgia

Taft’s Summer Associate Program is designed to provide a highly engaging, real-life experience with a broad view of the firm’s comprehensive practices. From orientation and across the 10-week program, Taft summer associates are exposed to a variety of work and integrated into the firm. Summer associates are provided with mentors to help them navigate the opportunities presented to them and find success in the program.

Across the firm, Taft prioritizes professional development and encourages summer associates, attorneys, and staff to foster an inclusive environment for everyone to thrive. These values advance the firm’s position as the modern law firm.

Learn more about Taft’s Summer Associate Program here.