Taft is pleased to welcome regulatory law and governmental policy attorney Tom McDonald to its Public Affairs Strategy Group (PASG) in Washington, DC. As a former US Ambassador to Zimbabwe with an active federal agency and Capitol Hill practice, McDonald brings extensive experience and capabilities to the Taft team. McDonald will join as a partner in Taft’s Commercial Litigation practice group. His official start date was Sept. 1, 2022.

As a top litigator and lobbyist, McDonald regularly advises corporate CEOs and chief legal officers on a variety of government relations issues in Washington, internationally, and in major US state capitals. His career highlights include representing multinational organizations and major international banks for nearly 35 years, serving pro bono as lead counsel in a national civil rights case, Coalition for Education Reform, et al v. Indian River School District, and drafting bills, proposing amendments, and working with bill drafters, resulting in a number of legislative successes as a lobbyist. Prior to joining Taft, McDonald was a partner in the DC office of a nationally recognized law firm. He recently was elected as a member of the American Law Institute, a private, independent, nonprofit organization comprised of the country’s top judges, lawyers, and legal scholars to promote the clarification and simplification of United States common law and its adaptation to changing social needs.

“Tom’s impressive tenure as a US Ambassador, lobbyist, and highly regarded attorney make him a significant addition to our growing team. He is someone who exemplifies Taft ideals and is tremendously respected in DC and around the world. We are completely honored to welcome him to Taft,” said Taft DC partner-in-charge Lacy M. Johnson.

McDonald joins Taft at a time of strategic growth across the firm, with a concerted effort to expand its presence in Washington, DC and continuously grow its PASG. Since announcing its PASG expansion last year, Taft occupies a 15,000-square-foot office at a premier location in the Nation’s Capital and has welcomed numerous attorneys, lobbyists, and support professionals to build out the capabilities of the group across Taft markets.

“I was drawn to the firm for its incredible talent and recognition, as well as its clear commitment to its core values. Taft is on the rise in the legal community. It is an exciting time to join Team Taft,” said McDonald.

“I could not be more pleased with the addition of Tom to our growing Public Affairs Strategy Group. Our firm is hyper-focused on delivering high quality services to our clients, and part of that strategy is choosing to invest in our top talent. I look forward to seeing Tom’s talent at work under the Taft brand and how his experience will bolster our evolving team as the Modern Law Firm,” said Taft chairman and managing partner Robert J. Hicks.

Taft’s recently opened Washington, DC office, located at 200 Massachusetts Ave NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20001, includes members of the firm’s Public Affairs Strategies Group, as well as its Compliance, Investigations, and White Collar Defense Group. The firm’s Washington, DC office is focused on providing government relations services and compliance, investigations, and white-collar defense, all with Taft’s client-driven focus in the heart of our nation’s capital.