Michael’s public finance practice consists of traditional governmental, economic development, non-profit healthcare, and non-profit higher education financings, as well as assisting organizations with federal and state securities law compliance. In addition, Michael’s practice includes assisting commercial lenders and for-profit borrowers with traditional lending activities. He has worked as bond counsel, bank counsel, underwriter counsel, disclosure counsel, and corporate counsel on various tax-exempt and traditional taxable financings, as well as special counsel to governmental entities and developers in connection with economic development projects.He began his career with a specific focus on economic development issues and related incentive programs, as well as sales tax exemption incentives in connection with Ohio port authority financings. With his accumulated experience, Michael is frequently asked to assist governmental entities and developers throughout Ohio on matters such as Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) tax exemption programs, Tax Increment Financing (TIF) programs, and other property tax-based incentive programs.

I spearheaded a project compiling deal points from the City's public finance transactions, including such developments as Vernon Manor, 21c Metropole Hotel, Queen City Tower, and Horseshoe Casino. The process entailed combing through development and service agreements, official statements, and final numbers of bond issuances to record legislative and financial details of each development. In addition, I updated projections for the City's tax increment financing districts with a more flexible model in order to more accurately determine debt capacity.

Researched and drafted memoranda regarding a range of public finance issues in Ohio and Kentucky, such as special improvement districts, enterprise zones, joint economic development districts, tax increment financing, community reinvestment areas, port authority statutes, industrial development bonds, and certain provisions of both the Ohio and Kentucky Constitutions.

Completed internalization of bond issuance documentation, such as amortization schedules, reserve fund requirement, administrative fees, etc. Researched various statutes and drafted memoranda regarding legal issues in public finance law. Developed due diligence framework for evaluating real estate acquisitions. Compiled state and federal funding programs to create economic development toolkit. Created Request for Qualifications and Proposals (RFQ/P) to contract a parking operator for the Port’s prospective lease of certain City of Cincinnati-owned parking facilities.

Completed financial analysis of expenditures to aid in budget reforms. Prepared asset allocation analysis to aid in investment policy reform. Compiled information and resources from multiple departments to create the company’s first annual report. Processed purchase orders and accounts payable/receivable. Prepared bank deposits, ran accounts payable checks, printed month-end financial reports for departmental reconciliations, and maintained W-9 records for vendors. Filed and maintained paid and pending invoices. Worked with all staff members to ensure transactions were recorded in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).