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The firm has counseled Ohio local governments for more than 125 years. Drawing on collective and institutional expertise, our Ohio local government team of more than 25 lawyers and professionals serves more than 285 Ohio counties, cities, villages, townships, airport and port authorities, transit authorities, library districts, park districts and other political subdivisions. We have the oldest, largest and most broad-based local government practice of any law firm in Ohio.
Public Finance
Our practice encompasses all varieties of public finance transactions, including general obligation and revenue financings, competitive and negotiated public offerings, direct purchases and private placements, multimodal and variable rate tender obligations, transactions involving credit enhancement facilities such as bond insurance, letters of credit and liquidity facilities, certificates of participation, municipal infrastructure projects including projects for airports and water, sewer and electrical systems, and other financings. We serve as bond counsel on transactions ranging from under US$250,000 to more than US$5 billion, providing the same level of service regardless of dollar size. Our public finance tax lawyers provide federal tax law assistance on financings. We also have represented many Ohio issuer clients in connection with post-issuance tax compliance matters, and have defended clients in random IRS audits of their bond issues.
In addition to our market-leading bond counsel practice, our team regularly serves as underwriter’s counsel for national and regional underwriters of bonds issued by Ohio political subdivisions and bank counsel for national and regional banks purchasing bonds issued by Ohio political subdivisions.
Economic Development
We have represented Ohio local governments and their private sector partners in economic development projects for more than 60 years. We render legal services related to urban renewal, brownfield reclamation, tax increment financing, community reinvestment areas, tax abatements, new community authorities, special assessment and special district proceedings, loans and grants, structured and project finance, clean and renewable energy, and other development-related services. More information about our economic development practice can be found here.
Legislation and Public Policy
In addition to our public finance and economic development experience, our team has extensive experience in drafting state legislation on behalf of municipal clients, and in assisting municipal clients with charter amendments or the creation of municipal charters. We also have an extensive public policy practice, representing the interests of local governments (and private sector entities) with the Executive Branch and the Legislative Branch in Columbus (and Washington DC).
Other Services
Other services we provide to local government clients include:
- Construction (including competitive bidding and contracting)
- Election proceedings
- Ethics advice
- Sunshine (open meetings and public records)
- Municipal income tax proceedings
- County sales tax proceedings
- Public-private partnerships
- Intergovernmental cooperation and agreements
- Labor and employment