Kutak Rock elevating public finance expertise

Kutak Rock is kicking off the new year by announcing partnerships for 28 attorneys in eleven of its offices across the country, including some of its public finance lawyers.

"Members of this exceptional class have distinguished themselves in their practice, earned the trust and respect of their colleagues and their clients, and contributed meaningfully to their communities," said John Petr, chair of Kutak Rock.

"We are proud to welcome them to the partnership and are confident they will continue to strengthen our collaborative culture and support the firm's ongoing success and growth."

Kutak Rock was founded in 1965 in Omaha Nebraska, by Robert J. Kutak and helped pioneer the use of industrial development revenue bond financing.

The firm now operates 21 offices in fifteen states and the District of Columbia with over 500 attorneys on staff.

The attorneys moving up to the partner level with an emphasis on public finance include Jessica Nichols in the Atlanta office.

She specializes in conduit financing for charter school, multifamily housing, higher education, senior living, nonprofit healthcare and economic development projects.

Erich Kennedy brings more public finance expertise to the Denver office by representing banks, underwriters, issuers and borrowers in a variety of roles, including serving as bond counsel.

In Kansas City, Bridget Morris will continue working with securitizations, asset-backed structured financings, synthetic tax-exempt securities, derivatives, municipal securities, general securities and corporate law.

State and local tax-related questions from clients in the Little Rock, Arkansas office could be handled by Matt Boch, a regulatory attorney with a particular focus on SALT, and economic development incentives.

The Minneapolis office advances three public finance partners. Jenny Boulton is experienced in tax-exempt lease financing, tax increment financing, and economic development.

Gina Fiorini works with a variety of political subdivisions, including counties, cities, economic development authorities and townships in governmental purpose and conduit revenue bond transactions.

Sofia Lykke acts as bond counsel to school districts in general obligation bond transactions and other forms of school financing and advises school districts regarding referendum questions.

The Omaha office is responding to the expansion of low-income housing tax credits with help from Drew Barnhart, who works with syndicators, institutional lenders, banks, investment funds and corporations.

Matthew Carlson focuses his practice on counseling investors and syndicators regarding equity and tax matters.

Emma Hybl represents tax credit investors on debt and equity financing aspects of lower-tier and upper-tier investment.

Andrew Moats works with historic tax credit programs, and solar project investing.

Alyssa Wall focuses her practice on community development and tax incentive finance products including renewable energy investment tax credits and production tax credits.

In Scottsdale, new partner Verity Kang's primary focus is the issuance of multifamily housing revenue bonds and 4% LIHTCs.

New public finance partners in Tallahassee include Ryan Dugan, who counsels special districts in Florida on matters relating to operations and governance, including financing of infrastructure, contracts, public procurement of goods and services, ethics, public records, and open meetings.

Michelle Rigoni also works extensively with special districts, landowners, developers and other related parties on matters of special district formation and governance.

The firm's other new partners include representatives of the real estate, litigation, intellectual property, banking and finance teams, as well as the business, corporate, and securities group.