Best Lawyers in America for Economic Development Law

Manning Unger, co-managing member of the firm’s Charleston office, practices in the areas of business, mergers and acquisitions, securities, financial services, economic incentives, and commercial real estate law. Equipped with an MBA and a law degree, Manning has a passion for helping his clients with business deals and diving into the details to better advise them. His work consists of providing advice structuring, negotiating, documenting, and closing deals, as well as acting as a co...

William C. Rhodes is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Economic Development Law, Project Finance Law and Public Finance Law. William C., who practices law in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Julie Melton Partain is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Economic Development Law and Public Finance Law. Julie Melton, who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Julie Melton is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kim Martin represents real estate developers, investors and owners of residential, commercial, industrial, TOD and mixed-use projects. She has a specific focus on large-scale greenfield and brownfield development projects, including all aspects of land use entitlements—securing approvals for annexations, development agreements, zonings and rezonings, subdivisions, site plans, transferable development rights, public revenue sharing agreements and vested property rights. Kim assists clien...

Katie Baynes, a partner in Nixon Peabody’s Public Finance group, focuses her practice on project finance, infrastructure finance and public finance. She represents government authorities, issuers and underwriters in connection with project financings including stadiums and arenas as well as industrial development revenue bonds; college and university bonds; hospital, health care, and senior living bonds; and other exempt facility bonds. What do you focus on? Project Finance I have been ...

Chris Pace is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. He advises on project finance and economic development law, state and local government law, economic development incentives, and gaming law. Chris’ clients include county and municipal governmental bodies as well as new and expanding business concerns, examples of which include a large steel company investing more than $1 billion in a new facility, and a regional beverage supplier investing millions of dollars to expand its existi...

Michael has served as bond counsel for private conduit financings, single family mortgage revenue bonds, and cities and counties throughout the State of Mississippi. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America® for his work in public finance law.

Peter Curry is a commercial real estate and economic development lawyer representing clients across the New York metropolitan area and nationally. Peter’s broad transactional practice includes commercial real estate sales, acquisitions, leasing, and development. Major corporations in the telecommunications, technology, pharmaceuticals manufacturing, food manufacturing and distribution, and other fields seek Peter’s assistance in real estate matters. He guides clients through the a...

Michael O. Parker is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Economic Development Law, Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Michael O., who practices law in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael O. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Wilson Montjoy's broad practice spans both the energy and economic development sectors. He has served as lead counsel on some of the region's largest industrial projects, advising clients on each stage of the process from site selection and negotiating incentive packages to the construction and regulatory matters surrounding the facilities. He also frequently represents energy companies and project developers in regulatory, contractual, real estate, and environmental matters. Montjoy’s ...

Alex B. Leath is a partner in the firm’s Economic Development Practice Group and the Tax Practice Group. Since 1990, Alex has been involved in a significant number of the major economic development projects in the Southeast. As a result, he is one of the most trusted economic development attorneys in the region. Leading companies regularly seek him out for counsel on their relocation and site-selection matters, knowing his broad experience will serve them well. Alex has extensive experi...

Mary L. Ippel is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Economic Development Law and Public Finance Law. Mary L., who practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mary L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Will Johnson leads Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd's Economic Development practice group and concentrates his practice on economic development, corporate law and tax matters. Will's work in the economic development area includes negotiating and drafting fee in lieu of tax agreements, structuring special source revenue credit arrangements and assisting companies with a host of other incentives such as job development credits, job tax credits and state and local economic development grants. His work in...

Mike McIntyre is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Economic Development Law and Government Relations Practice. Mike, who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mike is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Chris Bowles is co-chair of Bradley’s Solar Energy Practice Group. He is an energy and economic development attorney practicing out of Bradley’s Nashville office. Chris regularly advises clients on the development and financing of energy and infrastructure projects, with an emphasis on renewable energy sources, helping them negotiate contracts and manage risk in each stage of a project’s development, including the real estate, tax and regulatory aspects of development and pr...

James J. McGraw, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Economic Development Law. James J., who practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.