The public finance group of Lewis, Rice & Fingersh represents municipal bond underwriters, issuers, borrowers, trustees and credit enhancers in connection with their participation in municipal finance transactions both within and outside Missouri. Our attorneys are experienced in advising our clients on a wide range of taxable and tax exempt bond financings, including variable rate debt, multi-mode debt, certificates of participation, and debt backed by letters of credit or insurance. We represent on a regular basis several municipalities, several taxing districts, and one of the largest issuers of tax exempt revenue bonds in the State of Missouri.
In addition to our representation of parties involved in transactions, attorneys in the Firm’s public finance group serve as general counsel to underwriters, trustees and municipalities and other bond issuers, periodically advising them on matters related to public finance including:
- Advising municipalities, fire districts, water districts and local bonding authorities on procedural and other matters related to the issuance of debt;
- Providing on-going advice to issuers, borrowers and underwriters with respect to continuing reporting obligations under Rule 15c2-12;
- Assisting and counseling trustee clients regarding on-going contractual and fiduciary obligations under existing financing arrangements and assisting them in state regulatory compliance issues;
- Representing municipal finance trustees in bankruptcy and work-out proceedings;
- Advising underwriters regarding compliance with certain rules and regulations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board;
- Counseling issuers and borrowers on their disclosure obligations under state and federal securities laws;
- Reviewing feasibility and other studies (including environmental studies) on behalf of potential issuers and summarizing the studies for those clients; and
- Advising political subdivisions and borrowers regarding structuring issues and innovative financing tools such as tax increment financing, community improvement districts, transportation development districts, urban redevelopment, Chapter 353 tax abatement and neighborhood improvement districts.