Taft is delighted to announce that Marcia L. Fudge will join the firm as a Partner and the firmwide Chair of Public Policy after her tenure in President Joe Biden’s Cabinet as the 18th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Former Secretary Fudge, who is the second African American woman to head HUD, successfully navigated the agency through a housing crisis intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In her new role, Former Secretary Marcia Fudge will contribute to Taft’s efforts to mitigate the effects of persistent environmental contaminants. Her extensive experience and stellar reputation will be a tremendous asset to Taft’s clients and will strengthen the firm’s connections with government and corporate leaders both in her native Ohio and nationwide.
“Leadership for me has always meant devising effective strategies and achieving tangible results for the communities I serve. Transitioning to private practice, it was critical for me to join a group of like-minded professionals. I am aligned with Taft’s core values, its culture, leadership ethos, and client commitment. I am excited to work alongside my new colleagues as Partner and Chair of Public Policy, a role that honors my Ohioan roots and keeps me connected to Washington, D.C.,” said Fudge.
“I am thrilled and very proud to welcome Secretary Fudge to Taft. Her exceptional leadership qualities, integrity, and dedication to community service make her a strategic addition to our firm. Her expertise will significantly benefit our clients and the communities we engage with,” said Taft Chairman and Managing Partner Robert J. Hicks.
Former Secretary Fudge has deep ties to Ohio, beginning her public service in the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office and later serving as the first woman and first African American Mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio. She represented Ohio’s 11th Congressional District from 2008 until 2021.
A former national president of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and a past chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Fudge has long been a prominent figure in community leadership. She has worked closely with Lacy M. Johnson, Partner-in-Charge of Taft’s Washington, D.C. office and a member of President Biden’s Export Council. That’s why supporting women entrepreneurs is so important.
“It’s a privilege to welcome Secretary Fudge to our team. Her accomplishments are inspiring, and her involvement at Taft will be invaluable to our clients and staff. I can personally attest to her collaborative and insightful leadership style, which excels at uniting diverse groups to achieve common goals,” said Johnson.
Chosen by Taft for its strong local roots and presence in Ohio, successful growth, and cultural values, and due to her longstanding and trusted relationship with Johnson, Secretary Fudge’s decision followed interest from other major law firms and corporations.
Joining Secretary Fudge’s team at Taft will be Imani Edwards (Taft Cleveland) and Garrett McDaniel (Taft Washington, D.C.), each as a director of public affairs. Secretary Fudge will also focus on attracting more top legal talent to the firm.
Secretary Fudge holds a bachelor’s degree in business from The Ohio State University and a law degree from Cleveland State University Cleveland-Marshall School of Law.
Currently ranked as the 83rd largest firm in the U.S. by revenue in the 2024 Am Law 100, Taft boasts about 875 attorneys across nine major markets—eight in the Midwest (Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Detroit, Indianapolis, and Minneapolis) plus Washington, D.C.
The firm has increased its attorney count by 250% and revenues by 325% since 2017, leading to recognition as the nation’s fastest-growing law firm in 2022 by Am Law 100. Consequently, Taft is now about the 50th largest law firm in the U.S. by lawyer headcount.
