Taft, one of the fastest-growing law firms in the nation, today announced the addition of six lawyers, four partners, and two associates to its Phoenix office. Led by partners Carrie Francis, Jim Holland, Sharon Ng, and Lonnie Williams, Jr., the group joins Taft from Stinson and brings deep experience in employment law, complex litigation, and construction disputes.
In particular, with five of the six new lawyers focused on labor and employment matters, Taft is now home to one of the premier employment practices in the Southwest, with capabilities extending westward to California.
With the addition of this group in Phoenix, Taft continues to grow quickly through strategic lateral hires and mergers. The firm has grown its headcount by more than 200 attorneys in the first half of 2025, strengthening its position as a super middle-market firm with a national platform.
"As we continue to grow strategically across the country, Phoenix is a key market for Taft in the Mountain West where we've been looking closely at deepening our presence for a few years," said Taft's Chairman and Managing Partner, Robert J. Hicks. "This is a high-profile group that is well-known throughout the community. They fit immediately with our platform and will be key to our future growth in Phoenix."
This six-lawyer team marks the largest lateral group move of any firm in Phoenix in more than five years and signals further expansion for Taft in the Arizona market.
"The addition of this group is transformative for our Phoenix office and for Taft's capabilities across the region," said Craig Morgan, partner-in-charge of Taft's Phoenix office. "These attorneys are not only exceptionally skilled but also highly respected in the Arizona legal community. Their arrival elevates an already formidable practice and firmly establishes Taft as a go-to employment law firm in the Southwest."
Speaking on behalf of the group, Lonnie Williams, Jr. added: "We are thrilled to be joining Taft and contributing to its dynamic growth. The platform presents tremendous opportunities for collaboration and enhances our ability to deliver best-in-class service to clients throughout the Southwest and beyond."
This is the latest in a series of major growth moves for Taft in 2025, with more expected to follow in the second half of the year:
- Florida: On June 30, the firm completed its merger with Mrachek Law, an 18-attorney litigation boutique in Florida with offices in West Palm Beach and Stuart, marking Taft's entrance into the Southeast. Complementing this move, Taft also launched an office in Naples in June, expanding its Private Client practice with partners Andrew Krause and John Paul Bratcher.
- Mountain West: Effective Jan. 1, 2025, Taft combined with Sherman & Howard, Denver's oldest and third-largest firm. As a result of this merger, Taft expanded its footprint to the Mountain West region and added annual revenues of more than $100 million and approximately 125 lawyers. Nineteen additional lawyers have since joined Taft throughout the Mountain West, including the recent arrival of Richard B. Levin, the new chair of Taft's FinTech practice, and FinTech partner Bobby Wenner, who both joined in May.
About the Partners joining Taft in Phoenix:
- Carrie Francis is a trial lawyer with extensive experience navigating the technological and legislative changes impacting how companies do business, enabling her to defend management clients in employment and commercial disputes across a broad range of industries.
- Jim Holland is a highly regarded construction litigation attorney who advises developers, contractors, purchasers, insurers, municipalities, investors, and property owners in complex disputes involving real estate, insurance, lender liability, and intra-company management.
- Sharon Ng uses her strong litigation background in her employment practice to provide hands-on counsel to human resource professionals and business executives while effectively defending employers in workplace disputes, agency charges, and litigation.
- Lonnie Williams, Jr., is a nationally recognized trial lawyer and former office managing partner. He represents major companies in employment discrimination lawsuits and intellectual property matters.
About the Associates joining Taft in Phoenix:
- Ashley Cheff advises employers on a wide range of issues including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour disputes, employment contract disputes, and wrongful discharge claims.
- Tim Lauxman assists clients with their complex commercial and employment litigation needs. He focuses his practice on contractual disputes, including lending agreements, property sales, and insurance.