Taft is pleased to announce that former 8th District Court of Appeals Judge Ray Headen has joined Taft's Cleveland office as of counsel.

As a former Ohio appellate court judge and a bond and finance counsel for over 30 years, Headen has earned a trusted reputation as an advisor, counselor, and advocate to public and private clients and communities throughout Ohio. In his role at Taft, he will continue to innovatively solve client issues and problems with the meticulousness of both an appellate judge and bond counsel. At Taft, Judge Headen will continue his supportive dialogues with his public and private connections in Ohio and throughout the Midwest with a particular focus on how day-to-day social impact investments enhance economic justice. Judge Headen provides practical bond counsel to leaders of governments, including mayors, city councils, law directors, school executives, and finance and economic development officials. He also provides counsel to real estate developers and small and large businesses.

Taft clients will benefit from Judge Headen's decades of experience as an attorney in private practice and his significant expertise and experience in the areas of:

  • Public finance.
  • Bonds and economic development.
  • Local government.
  • Private equity.

In 2015, Headen served as special counsel to the Ohio attorney general in the original publishing of the Ohio Economic Development Manual, a highly recognized go-to resource for public and private executives and professionals seeking guidance on using Ohio's public and private finance and incentive laws to grow jobs, communities, and businesses.

Headen earned his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1987 and his B.A. from Williams College in 1982. He also attended the Institute of European Studies' London School of Economics and Political Science.