Robert W. McDonald

Summary

Rob is the Chair of Taft’s Cincinnati Business practice group where he has garnered a reputation as principal outside counsel to private equity and venture capital funds, growth-minded companies, sports franchises, and research institutions. In doing so, he leads mergers and acquisitions, equity financings, securities offerings, significant commercial transactions, and other major strategic initiatives. In short, Rob works with global and national clients that are frequently structuring substantial and meaningful business transactions.

Most recently, Rob joined the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Board of Directors. The Freedom Center is the preeminent cultural learning center for inclusive freedom. Rob also serves on the Board of the League of American Orchestras, a national organization that champions America’s orchestras and the vitality of the music they perform. Due to the global scope of Rob’s practice, Rob also serves on the Board of the Interlex Group, an association of leading law firms around the world. Within Ohio, Rob serves on the Executive Committee of InnovateOhio, the Board of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, and the Board of Main Street Ventures. Rob is the Immediate Past Chair of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and the Immediate Past President of the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) Cincinnati.

Rob received his bachelor’s degree from Duke University and his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. While an undergraduate, 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, Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers, Venture Capital Law, Cincinnati (2023)

  • Award Image

    Honoree, Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers, Securities / Capital Markets Law, Cincinnati

    (2022)

  • Leading Lawyers Honoree, Cincy Magazine, Emerging Companies / Venture Capital

    (2016 – present)

  • Award Image

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

  • Honoree, Best Lawyers in America, Mergers & Acquisitions, Securities/Capital Markets, Venture Capital

    (2016 – present)

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

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

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

  • Innovation Award Honoree, Cincinnati Business Courier (2013)

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

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Education

  • Washington University School of Law
  • Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
  • Duke University

Admissions

  • State - Ohio

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Professional Affiliations

  • Association for Corporate Growth

    Immediate Past President, Executive Committee

  • Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce

    Board Member

  • InnovateOhio

    Member, Executive Committee

  • The Interlex Group

    Board Member
    Taft Delegate

Community Involvement

  • Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

    Immediate Past Chair

  • League of American Orchestras

    Board Member

  • Main Street Ventures

    Member, Board of Directors

  • National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

    Board Member

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