Taft expands Denver office with three new attorneys

DENVER — Law firm Taft has added three attorneys to its Denver office, expanding its litigation, government affairs and private client practices.

The new hires include partner Michael Freimann, of counsel Joe Heaton and associate Natalie Whitacre.

Freimann focuses on employment law and commercial litigation, advising employers on workplace matters including executive employment agreements, restrictive covenants and business disputes. Before entering private practice, he served as an Air Force judge advocate and later worked as in-house counsel for a Fortune 200 company.

“The culture at Taft was a major factor in my decision,” Freimann said. “At the same time, Taft’s depth of experience and broad capabilities will enhance the service I can provide to clients.”

Heaton joined the firm’s Public Affairs Strategies group and advises organizations on legislative, regulatory and government affairs matters. He previously led government affairs for a technology and data science company and a global brewing company. He also spent a decade on Capitol Hill, serving as deputy chief of staff to former U.S. Rep. John Runyan of New Jersey and senior adviser and counsel to former U.S. Rep. Michael Turner of Ohio.

Whitacre practices in trusts and estates, including wealth transfer, estate and gift tax planning, charitable giving and succession planning. She previously practiced at Sherman & Howard before the firm’s 2025 combination with Taft.

“Taft continues to attract exceptional talent in Colorado, and Michael and Joe are outstanding additions to our team, and we are thrilled to welcome back Natalie to the office,” Taft Colorado and Nevada Partner-in-Charge Lyle Wallace said.

The additions continue Taft’s expansion in Colorado following its 2025 combination with Sherman & Howard. Since the merger, the firm said it has increased its Colorado attorney roster by 37%, adding 38 attorneys across its Aspen, Colorado Springs and Denver offices. Since January, Taft has added nine attorneys in Denver, following the arrival of a seven-lawyer team in Colorado Springs earlier this year.