Among the attributes that contributed to his Hall of Fame selection were:
Recognized and sought out for his ability to apply his unusually extensive and diverse experience to solve problems as they arise and develop new programs or financial structures, and for his expertise and judgment in securities laws and disclosure.
Dedicated to helping bring about projects and programs (whether sponsored by public entities, nonprofit corporations or for-profit enterprises) that provide a public benefit and make people’s lives better.
Having led the development of the housing and healthcare practices at Orrick, his recent focus has been on governmental transactions, all manner of non-profit corporations, public private partnerships (P3), portfolio sales, securitizations, energy and water efficiency programs, student, senior and workforce housing, pool programs, new financial structures and programs and applications of Public Finance Authority (created in Wisconsin to finance any type of project or program in any state or territory).
Some of those new financial structures and programs have included pension obligation bonds, variable rate lease financing, and, more recently, joint powers authority ownership structure (turning private activity projects or projects not generally eligible for tax-exempt financing into tax-exempt governmental purpose bonds; for example, for middle income workforce housing), and energy and other infrastructure as a service (P3, simplifying procurement, off balance sheet).
Responsibility for legislation crucial to the scope and operation of California public finance, including California Health Facility Financing Authority, California School Finance Authority, changes to joint power authority law that helped propel California Statewide Communities Development Authority and California Municipal Finance Authority into two of the most prolific issuers in the country, local agency refunding law, authorizations for swaps, investment agreements and other derivative products, creation of security interests, streamlining validation actions, and in several other states including Hawaii and creation of Public Finance Authority in Wisconsin.
Chair of Orrick’s Public finance department for several decades through 2020, during which he presided over the growth of the department from one office with 12 lawyers in San Francisco to 10 offices and over 100 lawyers and paralegals around the country, consistently ranked (for more than 2 decades now) as number one bond counsel and disclosure counsel, and within the top four underwriter counsel, for bonds issued by state and local governments throughout the United States. During this period, he also held a number of other leadership positions at Orrick, including several terms on its Executive Committee and on the Management Committee of Orrick’s wholly owned subsidiary, BLX Group, LLC (providing the public finance community with a variety of non-legal services).
In addition to his selection by The Bond Buyer for its Public Finance Hall of Fame, Roger is ranked Band 1 by Chambers, and as Acritas Star Lawyer by Acritas, as Dealmaker of the Year (twice) by American Lawyer, as “best,” “super,” “most honored,” “preeminent” or “lawyer of the year” by several other publications, and declared “the Bond King” in a cover article by California Lawyer.
Allen assists businesses in identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks related to competition matters, collaborating closely with clients to develop tailored compliance strategies, guiding them through the complexities of antitrust laws at both domestic and international levels. He represents clients in a broad range of antitrust issues arising from mergers and acquisitions (including Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) filings and second requests), complex civil litigation, government investigations (including civil investigative demands (CID)) and general counseling. Allen represents clients across a diverse range of industries, including consumer technology, digital advertising, pharmaceuticals, e-commerce, real estate, and energy.
Recent notable experience includes representing:
A software company in a successful defense of Clayton Act § 7 litigation
A large insurer in connection with allegations of price fixing in violation of Sherman Act § 1
A technology company in connection with discovery in a number of enforcement actions against Google LLC
A generic pharmaceutical manufacture in defense against Sherman Act §§ 1-2 claims
Sarah has particular expertise defending challenges to overdraft fees, including challenges to authorize positive, settle negative (“APSN”) transactions, and has represented Capital One, U.S. Bank, First Hawaiian Bank, and Union Bank in putative class actions challenging APSN fees. Separately, Sarah has defended two large national banks in enforcement actions related to overdraft fees and obtained a non-public resolution of voluntary remediation.
Sarah also has a robust practice defending both small and large companies against allegations of food mislabeling. She has successfully defended or reached favorable settlement terms regarding challenges to “all natural,” “no sugar added,” and “non-GMO” claims.
Tyler advises energy industry sponsors, developers, issuers and investors in a broad range of financing matters, including construction financings, bridge loans, back leverage financings, and tax equity. Tyler's experience includes project financings and related corporate matters involving utility-scale solar, distributed solar, wind, hydroelectric power, and upstream and midstream oil and gas projects.
Will’s clients include developers, investors, lenders and contractors engaged in transactions related to energy transition and infrastructure decarbonization projects across the U.S. Their experience includes diverse financing structures such as joint ventures, tax equity and cash equity investments, direct lending and mezzanine debt financing, as well as drafting and negotiating project development, equipment purchase and sale, and power purchase agreements.
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