Robert Mcdonald Bio

Robert Mcdonald is the Chair of Taft’s Cincinnati Business practice group where he has garnered a reputation as principal counsel to private equity and venture capital funds, growth-minded companies, sports franchises, and research institutions. In doing so, he leads equity financings, securities offerings, significant commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, 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 was recently elected the Chairman 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.