News

Rita McNeil Danish
- E rmcneildanish@taftlaw.com
- T (614) 220-0229
- F (614) 221-2007
Summary
Rita serves as a trusted advisor to lead her clients down the unconventional path to successful outcomes. She is a savvy problem solver, legal strategist, and committed advocate. In addition to managing a thriving legal practice, Rita also serves as Taft’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategic Business Partner. In this role, she is a leader, advisor, advocate, and catalyst for change, and focuses on infusing DEI into Taft’s culture across our offices and in the communities that we serve.
Her vast matrix of experiences in the public and private sectors have made her keenly adept in municipal law, crisis management, government affairs, economic development and personnel/human resources. Rita serves those in the corporate community who need assistance navigating public sector organizations that are owned and operated by government entities. She also addresses organizations in the public sector, which require legal counsel who understands the nuances of government law. She brings her passion to empower economic growth in local communities through diversity and inclusion work with small, women- and minority-owned businesses.
Rita has significant hands-on public and private experience from serving in a variety of roles, including:
- Judge and Magistrate, Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic and Juvenile Divisions
- City Attorney for the cities of Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio, and Greensboro, N.C.
- Vice President of Government Affairs, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber
- Section Chief, Civil Rights Division, Ohio Attorney General’s Office
- Chief Legal Counsel, Ohio Department of Commerce
- Assistant Deputy Legal Counsel for Governor George V. Voinovich
Active in the community, Rita contributes her legal knowledge to multiple causes and diversity and inclusion organizations. She was appointed to the Ohio Civil Rights Commission to serve a term from 2021-2025. Rita is a member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. (NCBW), a group that advocates on behalf of black women and girls to promote leadership development and gender equity in the areas of health, education and economic empowerment. She is also a board member for the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), which provides supportive services for abused and neglected children. She previously served as vice president and board member of Ohio’s Minority Development Finance Advisory Board, which assists in creating employment opportunities and wealth in the minority business community. Rita also served as the first president of the St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy Board in Cincinnati, a group that provides a last resort safety net for those who have no other way to access their prescription medication. Rita aided the Supreme Court of Ohio and the Ohio Judicial System’s Board of Commissioners on Character & Fitness. The board is responsible for ensuring that each applicant for admission to the practice of law possesses the requisite character, fitness and moral qualifications for admission.
Rita has been an inspiring influence in the legal studies classroom, teaching the following courses:
- Legal Writing, The Ohio State University College of Law
- Business Law, Central State University
- Administrative Law, Wright State University Masters of Public Administration
- Municipal Law, Annual Conference of the International Municipal Lawyers Association
Rita graduated cum laude with a Bachelors of Business Administration from Howard University. She received her Juris Doctorate from The Ohio State University College of Law. Rita is admitted to practice law before the United States Supreme Court, the Supreme Court of Ohio, the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.
Awards
Honoree, Best Lawyers in America, Government Relations Practice (2021)
Appointed to the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (2021-2025)
All Service Areas
Education
- The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law
- Howard University
Admissions
- State - Supreme Court of Ohio
- Federal - U.S. Supreme Court
- Federal - 6th Circuit Court of Appeals
- Federal - Southern District of Ohio
- State - Illinois
- State - Supreme Court of Illinois
Speeches and Publications
Speaking
- Speaker, "There is a Crisis: What to Do," WELD 2019 National Leadership Conference, June 2019
- Panelist, "Advanced D&I: Practical Solutions for In-house Counsel to Promote Diversity and Inclusion," ACC Chicago Summit, April 4, 2019
Publications
- "Trailblazing Legislation: Senate Bill 2610," Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council Newsletter, Spring 2019
- "The 'Occupy Movement' and Regulating Public Spaces," Municipal Lawyer, International Municipal Lawyers Association (2012)
- "Municipal Subdivision Liability under Section 1983 in Perino, J.C., Citizen Oversight of Law Enforcement, Chicago," American Bar Association, 97-113 (2006)
News
McNeil Danish to Moderate WELD Panel on the "Board Chair Role" News
McNeil Danish Writes on Congregate Living Facilities and COVID-19 for American Bar Association News
McNeil Danish Appointed to the Ohio Civil Rights Commission News
Rita McNeil Danish Elected To the National Civic League’s Board of Directors
Past Events
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association
Chair, Public Contracts Committee, State and Local Government Section
- Ohio State Bar Association
Former Chair, Women in the Profession Section
- Columbus Bar Association
Member
- Women Lawyers of Franklin County
Member
- Black Women Lawyers Association of Greater Chicago, Inc.
Member
Community Involvement
- Ohio Chamber of Commerce
Member, Board of Directors
- Women’s Small Business Accelerator
Member, Board of Directors
- Women for Economic & Leadership Development
Chair-elect, Board of Directors
- Matriots Political Action Committee
Vice Chair
- National Civic League
Member, Board of Directors
- National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Member, Board of Directors
- Minority Development Financing Advisory Board (MDFAB)
Former Member
- Ohio Civil Rights Commission
Commissioner, 2021-2025