Robert W. McDonald

Summary

Rob has garnered a reputation as a trusted advisor to clients of varying sizes and industries. He counsels both public and private companies on matters ranging from day-to-day corporate matters to complex mergers and acquisitions, securities and venture capital work. Rob also represents government entities, research institutions and sports franchises, partnering with their leaders to understand and achieve the organization’s goals.

Rob is also well known for his work assisting entrepreneurs with business formation, fundraising, compensation, securities, commercialization, mergers and acquisitions and other matters pertinent to emerging businesses. In addition to his role as a partner at Taft, Rob is the co-founder of The Brandery, a top business accelerator, and co-manages Vine Street Ventures, a venture capital firm dedicated to investing in web and mobile technology. Most recently, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted has named Rob to the executive committee of InnovateOhio, a new state government innovation initiative. 

Civically, Rob is currently the Board Chair of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and serves on the executive committees of the Dan Beard Council (Boy Scouts of America) and the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) Cincinnati. He is also on the board of MORTAR Cincinnati which is creating opportunities to build communities through entrepreneurship.

Rob received his bachelor's degree from Duke University and his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. While at Duke, he completed comparative law course work at New College, Oxford University. He earned his J.D. from Washington University School of Law, and during his last term of law school, he clerked at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Rob grew up in the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Japan and Belgium.

Awards

  • Award Image

    Honoree, Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars (2017 - 2019)

  • Honoree, Best Lawyers in America, Mergers & Acquisitions, Securities/Capital Markets, Venture Capital (2016 - present)

  • Honoree, Leading Lawyers, Emerging Companies/Venture Capital (2016 - present)

  • Whitney M. Young Service Award Honoree, Boy Scouts of America (2016)

  • Silver Beaver Award Honoree, Boy Scouts of America (2015)

  • Innovation Award Honoree, Cincinnati Business Courier (2013)

  • Gentlemen of Style & Substance Award Honoree, Cincinnati Magazine, Saks Fifth Avenue and Cincinnati Parks Foundation (2013)

  • Forty Under 40 Honoree, Cincinnati Business Courier (2012)

  • Dealmaker Award Honoree, Association for Corporate Growth (2012)

All Service Areas

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Education

  • Washington University School of Law in St. Louis (2009)
  • Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University (2017)
  • Duke University (2005)

Admissions

  • State - Ohio

News

Past Events

Professional Affiliations

  • Association for Corporate Growth

    Member, Executive Committee

  • The Brandery

    Co-Founder

  • InnovateOhio

    Member, Executive Committee

  • Main Street Ventures

    Member, Board of Directors

Community Involvement

  • Boy Scouts of America, Dan Beard Council

    Member, Executive Committee

  • Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

    Board Chair

  • MORTAR Cincinnati

    Member, Board of Directors

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