Industries & Practices
Public Finance
Through bonds and finance options, we support health, safety, education, energy and economic development.
We serve as bond counsel to more than 1,000 state, city, county, school district, library and higher education entities that are seeking the most economical and efficient ways to finance their capital improvements. From clients who are contemplating a bond financing for the first time to those who are frequent issuers, we supply comprehensive advice that begins with the preliminary planning stage, continues through the process of committee meetings, board meetings and council meetings, and culminates after the capital has been secured.
Our group is known statewide for developing innovative financing structures, and several members have actively participated in the drafting of statutory and constitutional provisions that govern bond finance in Ohio. We are the largest public finance practice group in the state, and every attorney in the group is a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers. Our lawyers are listed in the “red book” of bond counsel, and we have been recognized by the state and its various political subdivisions, as well as by the underwriting community, as a law firm with a national caliber bond counsel opinion.
We are experienced with the following:
- Election proceedings for voted levies, bond issues and charter questions
- Tax and revenue anticipatory notes
- Taxable and tax-exempt leases
- Capital financings
- Private purpose bond financings
- Structured finance transactions
- Tax-exempt organizations
- Economic development incentives
- Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)/energy efficiency
Financings and refinancings for institutions of hi...
Serve as bond counsel and issuer counsel to community colleges, public and private institutions and universities across Ohio seeking to take advantage of the low-interest rate environment in order ...
MoreBond counsel for Ohio community college for culina...
Served as bond counsel to an Ohio community college in connection with the tax-exempt financing of their new, cutting-edge culinary arts center.
MoreCommunity college $300 million voted bond issue
Served as bond counsel to an Ohio community college for its first issue of general obligation bonds approved by the Ohio county voters in a $300 million voted bond issue dedicated to financing a ph...
More$120 million mixed-use development project
Successfully led the closing of a mixed-use public-private development project in downtown Columbus, Ohio. Served multiple roles in the project’s financing, including as bond counsel to the d...
MoreSale and acquisition of new headquarters
Assisted a local developer with the sale and partial leaseback of their previous headquarters and the acquisition of new headquarters. Our team handled all real estate aspects including the sale of...
MoreConversion of a former munitions factory
Served as counsel to a port authority for a capital lease transaction, providing a sales tax exemption to the developer and property owner. The transaction enables the conversion of a former m...
MoreOhio’s largest PACE transaction
Served as counsel on a $16.3 million refinancing of a construction loan that involved significant PACE financing. The project funds eligible upgrades to a hotel near The Ohio State University campu...
MoreOFCC K-12 Project on State University Campus
Served as counsel for a recently consolidated school district for a $42 million K-12 OFCC (state) co-funded project on the campus of a state university, with the local share bonds sold to the USDA....
MoreCleveland-area solar farm development
Represented Cuyahoga County in closing a $10 million financing transaction for the development of a solar farm on former landfill property near Cleveland. The solar farm covers 17 acres and co...
MoreSyndicated construction loan
Represented a lender in connection with a syndicated construction loan for a large office/residential project including a bridge loan addressing timing issues with public financing.
MoreAreas of Focus
School Bond Finance & Levy Planning
We help school districts obtain and maintain the resources they need. Our experience includes bond and note issuances and tax levies, as well as lease-purchase arrangements, collaborative agreements, protection of assessed valuation, tax abatement and exemption issues, booster and foundation support, and more.
Municipal/County/Township Bond Finance
Representing political subdivisions to finance infrastructure is a key component of our firm’s foundation. We routinely serve as bond counsel, underwriter's counsel, trustee counsel, issuer's counsel and/or company counsel in financings ranging from large general obligation and revenue bond issues to small bond issues.
State of Ohio & State Agency Finance
Our attorneys are intimately familiar with the State’s fiscal processes and have worked with public officials for decades. From job-creating programs to bond and note issuances, we help government entities create and use Ohio’s financial tools.
Economic Development Finance
Utilizing the economic development tools that best suit our clients’ goals, we structure and layer resources, connecting government entities and private developers with available financial incentives. Tax increment financing and joint economic development districts are just a few of the areas in which we are highly experienced.
MoreEnergy Finance & PACE
Participating in the issuance of Ohio’s first property assessed clean energy (PACE) bonds, our firm is a trailblazer in the area of energy project finance. We help public entities use funding opportunities to update existing office buildings or warehouses or to acquire an alternative energy source, like solar panels or wind turbines, without impacting certain local debt limitations. Visit our PACE Financing Resource Center >>
Health Care Real Estate & Project Finance
From the time a hospital first identifies a facility or capital-related need to the first day of operation, we blend real estate, project finance, compliance and taxation knowledge to advise health care organizations through each phase of growth.
MoreLibrary Bond Finance & Levy Planning
Whether borrowing money from note or bond issuance or raising money through a voter-approved levy, our team guides libraries through each stages of the process. Having partnered with dozens of public libraries across the state, we bring well-rounded experience this unique type of financial matter.
Underwriter's Counsel
Our attorneys regularly represent underwriters in bond financings. In this role, we draft the official statement, the purchase agreement and the continuing disclosure agreement for the transaction and guide our client in completing due diligence review.
People
John Caleb Bell
Partner & Public Finance Practice Group Chair
Christopher J. Bondra
Associate
Tyler J. Compton
Associate
William T. Conard II
Partner
Price D. Finley
Partner
Brian W. Fox
Of Counsel
Jeffry D. Harris
Of Counsel
Christopher B. Jones
PACE Financing Consultant
Colin J. Kalvas
Partner
Glenn S. Krassen
Of Counsel
Caitlin A. Langfitt
Associate
Sean R. Lehman
Associate
Jacquelin R. Lewis
Senior Associate
M. Shannon Martin
Partner
Daniel B. May
Associate
Robert F. McCarthy
Partner
Isaac A. McGlone
Public Finance Analyst
Tracy L. McKenna
Public Finance Analyst
Sarah E. O’Dea
Senior Counsel
Rebecca C. Princehorn
Partner
Paul S. Rutter
Partner
Larry D. Scurlock
Sr. Public Finance Analyst
Carly M. Sherman
Associate
Matthew L. Stout
Partner
Catherine M. Swartz
Partner
Jason Tiemeier
Associate
Benjamin J. Yoder
Partner
Nick J. Ziepfel
Of Counsel