Sara Gonso Tait has joined Duane Morris LLP as a partner in the firm’s Corporate Practice Group in its Chicago office. Prior to joining Duane Morris, Tait was a partner at Ice Miller LLP.
“Sara is a marquee addition to our Firm who will immediately add to and expand our capabilities in this important marketplace,” said Duane Morris Chairman and CEO Matthew A. Taylor.
Tait serves as an advisor and legal counsel many clients – from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups – across the gaming industry and other highly regulated markets including crypto currency, cannabis and alcohol. She provides strategic advice and analysis of laws and regulations so clients can take advantage of opportunities and avoid risk. Tait previously served as executive director of the Indiana Gaming Commission. In that role, she was chief regulator of Indiana’s 13 casinos, an industry that brings in more than $500 million in tax revenues each year and employs more than 12,000 people. Tait was also responsible for regulating a significant charitable gaming industry, boxing and mixed martial arts, an illegal gambling police force, paid fantasy sports and sports wagering. With broad skills in legislative, government, regulatory and tribal affairs, she brings a unique perspective that includes a wide array of experience with complicated and complex mergers, acquisitions and bankruptcies.
Tait also successfully launched retail and mobile sports betting on an aggressive timeline and created a nationally praised and replicated regulatory environment.
Additionally, she was appointed by Governor Eric Holcomb to lead negotiations for the first ever tribal-state compact for class III gaming and subsequently shepherded the executed compact through the Indiana General Assembly. Tait also implemented innovative technology requests and countless significant capital investment projects.
“Sara has a stellar background as a respected gaming regulator who has built a substantial practice since her departure from government,” said Frank DiGiacomo, Duane Morris gaming industry team co-lead. “We anticipate that her background will enhance the knowledge and insight our Gaming Industry Group can offer to top tier clients in the gaming industry.”
Tait is a graduate of the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law (J.D., 2010) and Miami University (B.A., with honors, 2005).
