Best Lawyers in America for Public Finance Law

Lee Birchall’s practice focuses on public finance in Alabama, where he serves as bond counsel to cities, counties, utilities, school boards, and various other types of governmental entities that issue tax-exempt and taxable securities. He also represents cities and counties in negotiations with private developers for economic development transactions. In addition to representing public bodies, Lee has experience serving as counsel to underwriters, trustee banks and commercial banks in t...

J. Foster Clark is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Public Finance Law. J. Foster, who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2005. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which J. Foster is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stephen D. Sanford started his legal career with Mudge Rose Guthrie Alexander & Ferdon in New York City in 1982, specializing in public finance. He joined Greenberg Traurig, P.A. in West Palm Beach, Florida in 1994. Since he began his career, he has represented all of the various participants in a wide variety of municipal transactions.

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

Mitch Rapaport is a partner in the firm focusing in tax issues related to public finance and infrastructure finance transactions. During his 30 years in practice, Mr. Rapaport has participated in a wide variety of tax-exempt financings, with an emphasis on public-private partnership transactions and other project financings. Mr. Rapaport has worked on numerous public power financings; stadium and convention center transactions; and education, infrastructure and other industrial projects. What...

John England served as the practice group leader for Butler Snow’s Public Finance, Tax Incentives and Credit Markets Group for over 14 years. John concentrates his practice in government finance, tax credit finance and economic development incentives. He has participated in reviewing, analyzing and structuring a variety of public finance, economic development finance and tax credit finance transactions for over 31 years. He has been involved in financings to support hospitals and other ...

Michele Arbeeny concentrates her practice on nonprofit, real estate, health care and municipal finance matters. She maintains a successful track record of representing financial institutions and nonprofits in all aspects of secured and unsecured financing, including acquisition, construction, revolving and term loans, as well as tax-exempt and taxable bonds. Michele also represents financial institutions and developers in affordable housing transactions. Michele is the Chair of Windels Marx W...

A recognized leader in public finance law, Janet Goelz Hoffman helps nonprofit organizations find a productive balance between their missions and their margins. With decades of experience, she regularly handles financings for nonprofit organizations including hospital systems, cultural and educational institutions, and continuing care retirement communities. Janet also advises nonprofit organizations on board governance and conflict of interest issues. Janet helps nonprofit clients address fi...

Chris Reitzel is a partner in Nixon Peabody’s Project Finance and Public Finance group. He works with issuers, underwriters and financial advisors on public and project finance projects across a broad range of sectors. He serves as bond counsel, disclosure counsel and underwriters’ counsel on public offerings and private placements. His diverse transactional background includes taxable and tax-exempt debt, complex variable rate products including subordinated and senior commercial...

Jeffrey M. Pohl is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Municipal Law and Public Finance Law. Jeffrey M., who practices law in Albany, New York, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeffrey M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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 ...

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

John T. Kelly is a shareholder on the Public Finance team at Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A., concentrating his practice in public and corporate finance transactions. Mr. Kelly has participated in numerous financings completed by numerous cities, counties, agencies, authorities and other political subdivisions in the State of New Jersey and elsewhere throughout the nation.Mr. Kelly has served as bond counsel, underwriters’ counsel, disclosure counsel, general counsel and trustee&rs...

Ken Lind is a partner in Nixon Peabody’s Project Finance and Public Finance group. He works with issuers, underwriters, financial advisors, banks and concession bidders on a range of public finance and project finance projects. He advises clients on public offerings and private placements serving as bond, underwriters’, disclosure, derivatives or bank counsel. What do you focus on? Infrastructure Much of my work involves financings related to infrastructure, primarily transportati...

Bob Gang has practiced law for 40 years, 39 of which have been devoted to the field of public finance. He served as Co-Chair of the National Public Finance Practice for 10 years. Bob has also represented Florida public school districts for over 25 years.

Vanessa Albert Lowry focuses her practice on tax, public finance, and asset securitization matters, as well as investment and repurchase agreements.