Public Finance

Building on a nearly 100-year firm history in public finance that includes the financing of such iconic projects as the Golden Gate Bridge and Carnegie Hall, Orrick’s public finance lawyers have handled thousands of public finance transactions, and consistently ranks as the top public finance firm in the United States.

Our clients include municipal issuers, non-profit corporations, Indian tribes, underwriters, private borrowers, credit providers, investment providers, swap/derivative product providers and others in both primary and secondary market transactions.

Unmatched Experience with Municipal Debt

Our experience encompasses every type of project or program financed with municipal debt, whether tax-exempt or taxable, for municipal or private borrowers. Examples include a broad range of infrastructure, cultural, sports, transportation, utility, housing, health care, education, and other projects.

Post-Issuance Compliance and Enforcement Issues

In conjunction with Orrick’s wholly owned subsidiary, Bond Logistix, LLC, we also are a leader in helping clients and other municipal market participants with post-issuance compliance and enforcement issues, including arbitrage rebate, continuing disclosure, investment placement and management, program administration, IRS audits, SEC investigations, defaults, bankruptcies, and other workouts.

2009 Bond Buyer Rankings and Awards

• Bond Buyer Rankings

  • No. 1 - Bond Counsel – 434 issues aggregating more than $54 billion dollars with a market share of 13.5%.
  • No. 1 Disclosure Counsel – 120 transactions aggregating more than $26 billion dollars with a market share of 23.8%.
  • No. 3 Underwriter's Counsel – 160 transactions aggregating more than $17 billion dollars with a market share of 5.6%.

• Bond Buyer Deal of the Year

  Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority's $963.29 million Dulles Toll Road Revenue Bonds, Series 2009, providing funds to extend Metrorail to Washington Dulles International Airport and for other capital improvements.

• Bond Buyer Far West Deal of the Year

  San Diego Unified School District's $38.84 million general obligation QSCB election of Series 2008B tax-credit bonds. These are the first qualified school construction bonds ever issued.