W. Stuart Dornette is a prominent commercial litigation attorney based in Cincinnati, Ohio. His experience in complex litigation — primarily in financial, corporate and securities matters — allows him to provide his clients with top-of-the line service as a partner of Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP. Mr. Dornette has represented the firm since 1975, when he was hired as an associate. That same year, he earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law and was admitted to practice in the states of Ohio and Virginia, as well as before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. He was later admitted to the bar in Washington, D.C., and allowed to practice before the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States. Mr. Dornette assumed his current position at the firm in 1983. At Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, Mr. Dornette also provides services in crisis management, campaign and election law, government relations, and internal investigations. His practice spans across the technology, insurance, sports, automotive and transportation industries, in addition to nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations.
After 40 years of practice, Mr. Dornette continues to receive recognition from the legal industry’s leading ranking systems and entities. Best Lawyers bestowed him with “Lawyer of the Year” honors for 2012, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Furthermore, he has been selected to Super Lawyers from 2004 to 2018. When asked about the highlight of his career, Mr. Dornette cites his work with the Cincinnati Bengals. He has represented the organization in many facets of its business dealings, including with the development, financing, leasing and construction of the Paul Brown Football Stadium. This feat earned Mr. Dornette high praise from Bengals vice president Troy Blackburn. “Stuart Dornette possesses a top legal mind that he combines with great financial and practical experiences to provide clients with outstanding service in business litigation areas,” Mr. Blackburn says, adding, “His skills make him an outstanding resource for corporate planning and strategic matters, on top of traditional litigation.”
In regard to his civic contributions, Mr. Dornette has served on the board of directors of the Zoological Society since 2006 and as secretary since 2007. He also has an extensive history as a member of the Hamilton County Republican Party’s executive and finance committees. Additionally, he has been involved with the American Physical Society, Anderson Hills United Methodist Church, Cincinnati Parks Foundation, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Greater Cincinnati, the University of Cincinnati College of Law and the Williams College Alumni Association of Cincinnati.
Adding credence to Mr. Dornette’s status as a top business litigation attorney is his listings in Marquis Who’s Who publications, such as Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Education, Who’s Who in American Law, Who’s Who in the Midwest and Who’s Who in the World.
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