Best Lawyers in America for Economic Development Law

Vanessa Legbandt is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Economic Development Law. Vanessa, who practices law in Newport Beach, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Vanessa is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jim focuses his practice on representing public and private sector clients in complex matters involving zoning, condemnation, economic incentives, elections, telecommunications, municipal law, environmental law and commercial real estate. He assists clients in landfill development, obtaining economic incentives from state and local governments, locating cell towers, condemnations, election challenges, rezonings, annexation disputes and procurement challenges. Jim practiced for 18 years in the...

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 ...

Michele Allgood has extensive experience in all areas of municipal and public finance in Arkansas including bond counsel, underwriter’s counsel, issuer’s counsel, trustee’s counsel, purchaser’s counsel and borrower’s counsel. She represents Arkansas state agencies, municipalities, counties, facility boards and commissions in matters of capital improvement and economic development projects. Michele has experience in taxable, tax exempt, public and private municipa...

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...

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.

Kathy McKinney is a shareholder and public finance attorney in Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd's Greenville office. Kathy assists healthcare and educational institutions in mergers, acquisitions, expansions and affiliations, with a focus on addressing legal strategies for taxable and tax-exempt debt and other financing options.

Glen P. Caulk is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Economic Development Law and Real Estate Law. Glen P., who practices law in Columbia, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Glen P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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.

Barry Carrigan focuses his practice on project finance, infrastructure finance and public finance. Barry represents developers, issuers and lenders on a range of project finance and public finance projects including renewable energy facilities, transit oriented developments, waste to energy projects, charter schools and multi-family housing transactions.Barry has been selected as one of The Bond Buyer’s 2020 Rising Stars, a program which showcases the brightest young minds in the munici...

Joe’s practice is focused on federal, state and local taxation, including planning and controversy resolution. Joe has represented clients successfully before the Tennessee tax administrative bodies and before Tennessee courts, including the Tennessee Supreme Court. Joe represents a number of Fortune 500 companies with respect to their Tennessee tax matters. Joe also represents clients in federal tax controversy resolution, including administrative appeals and representation before the ...

While fully engaged as Managing Partner of Buckley King, Brent Buckley counsels and represents financial institutions, private equity firms, lenders, businesses and executive management on business issues, complex and structured finance, workouts, asset-based lending, corporate internal investigations, and commercial litigation matters. Brent is nationally recognized for excellence in both corporate law and banking and finance litigation. He is named among the prestigious Legal Who's Who as o...

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.

Mark E. Beutelschies is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Economic Development Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Real Estate Law. Mark E., who practices law in Memphis, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mark E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Trey Hill concentrates his practice primarily in the area of economic development where he assists business clients in negotiating incentive packages. Trey regularly deals with a wide variety of industries, including automotive, manufacturing, metal, energy, and finance, among others. While Trey’s practice is focused primarily in Alabama, he routinely represents clients all over the Southeast and other regions of the United States. Trey also actively represents cities, counties, and ind...

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.