Taft names new partner-in-charge for Indy office

Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP has a new partner-in-charge of its Indianapolis office, prompted by his predecessor’s promotion to lead the entire law firm.

Bradley W. Schwer

Bradley W. Schwer, 42, will take the helm of the local office effective Jan. 1, Taft announced Wednesday morning. He assumes the role from Robert J. Hicks, who in March was named the next managing partner of the regional law firm.

“He’s one of the most known corporate and mergers and acquisitions lawyers in the state,” Hicks said of Schwer. “He has great people skills, and he’s really well-known in the business community.”

Robert J. Hicks

Schwer joined Taft in 2002. He is a partner in the firm’s business and finance group and chairs its mergers and acquisitions practice. He plans to remain active in the practice following his promotion to partner-in-charge.

Schwer is a graduate of the Indiana University McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis, in addition to the IU Kelley School of Business in Bloomington, where he earned his MBA.

“I can maintain a great legal practice but utilize my MBA skills,” Schwer said of his new appointment. “The ability to be a coach for the team in Indianapolis, that really excites me.”

Hicks, meanwhile, succeeds Thomas Terp as managing partner. Hicks has led the Indianapolis office since 2008, when Taft entered the Indianapolis market by absorbing Sommer Barnard.

With more than 100 attorneys, Taft is the fourth-largest firm in Indianapolis. It also has offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Dayton, Ohio, as well as Covington, Kentucky; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Chicago and Phoenix.