Buckingham Fountain and Skyscrapers in Chicago

Thank You!

To our conference leadership, faculty, attendees, and (of course) the City of Chicago for helping us host a successful Workshop. We can’t wait to see you all next year. Session recordings will be sent to all registered attendees by November 15, 2023.

Purchase the Bundle

Miss the Workshop in 2023? No worries! You can purchase the Bundle of sessions for one low price or individual sessions.

Bundle of 19 Sessions*
Member RateNon-Member Rate
$695$995

* Not all Workshop sessions were recorded. 19 sessions reflects the total number of recordings included in the bundle.

Individual Session
Member RateNon-Member Rate
$79$99

Already Attend the Workshop or Bought the Bundle?

My Sessions

If you already attended the conference or purchased the bundle, you can access the sessions at any time. Check your inbox for an email with access instructions.

See you in 2024!

We are already planning and hope to see you back in Chicago for the Workshop 2024.

Individual Sessions for Purchase

Aerial View of Chicago Lake Shore Dr at sunrise in Autumn – October 2019
  • Webinars
  • CLE Eligible

The Workshop 2023: Session Bundle

All recorded sessions from our 2023 annual conference held in Chicago, IL from October 18 – 22. [[Purchase or Registration Required]]

  • Webinars
  • CLE Eligible

Bank Products & Direct Purchases — General Considerations (Non-Tax)

Panel covering bank direct purchases and other commercial bank products, including the structuring and legal considerations that arise.

  • Webinars
  • CLE Eligible

Underwriter’s Counsel Roundtable — Advanced

Review of key developments that have affected the obligations of underwriters in the municipal securities market and how those developments should inform appropriate representation of underwriters by their counsel.

  • Webinars
  • CLE Eligible

PAB Tests: Fundamental Principles and Issue Spotting

Review of the duties, responsibilities, and potential liability for underwriters in public offerings of municipal securities and the role of underwriters counsel.

  • Webinars
  • CLE Eligible

SEC and FINRA Enforcement

Examination of recent and notable SEC and FINRA enforcement actions with an overview of the priorities of the SEC’s Public Finance Abuse Unit and FINRA.

  • Webinars

Update from D.C. (October 2023)

An October 19, 2023 update on NABL’s recent advocacy efforts, a recap of recent legislative and regulatory activity that we are tracking, and some discussion on what may be in…

  • Webinars
  • CLE Eligible

Underwriter’s Counsel Roundtable — Intermediate

Review of the duties, responsibilities, and potential liability for underwriters in public offerings of municipal securities and the role of underwriters counsel.

  • Webinars
  • CLE Eligible

Private Activity Bond Tests: Real World Challenges

Panel that addresses complex issues encountered from time to time in the identification and allocation of private business use of bond-financed property.

  • Webinars
  • CLE Eligible

Health Care Facilities — Hot Topics (Non-Tax Matters)

Examination of non-tax issues for financings of 501(c)(3) healthcare providers and analysis of other hot topics in healthcare finance.

  • Webinars
  • CLE Eligible

Tax Issues for 501(c)(3) Financings

Exploration of issues that arise for tax-exempt qualified 501(c)(3) bonds.

  • Webinars
  • CLE Eligible

Current Topics in Energy Finance

Review of current trends in energy finance, including a discussion by panelists of some of the priorities, objectives, and goals that are impacting the development and financing of energy and…

  • Webinars
  • CLE Eligible

Advanced Arbitrage: There and Back Again

A higher-level discussion of arbitrage issues applicable to tax-exempt municipal bonds and the structuring of various transactions.


Conference Leadership

Chair
Juliet H. Huang

Chapman and Cutler LLP
Chicago, IL

First Vice Chair
David J. Fernandez

Ballard Spahr LLP
New York, NY

Second Vice Chair
Christie L. Martin

Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
Boston, MA

Annual Business Meeting


Agenda

Attendees may choose from a wide range of topics, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and gain valuable insights into the latest trends and challenges in the field. Our lineup of expert panelists will share their high-level knowledge of legal frameworks, regulatory updates, best practices, and innovative strategies shaping the bond market. All Agenda times are noted in the time zone where The Workshop takes place, Central.

NOW AVAILABLE! Order your copy of the Blue Book online or download the order form PDF.

  1. Wednesday, October 18
  2. Thursday, October 19
  3. Friday, October 20

Wednesday, October 18

8:00am – 5:30pm Registration/Check-In Desk Open

Join us for the NABL Newcomer Session at this year’s Annual Meeting! Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a recent member, this welcoming and informative session is designed to help you make the most of your experience.

Discover the ins and outs of our association, network with fellow newcomers, and gain valuable insights on navigating the event. Our seasoned members and friendly staff will be on hand to answer questions, share tips, and provide guidance on how to maximize your time at the conference.

Don’t miss this opportunity to kickstart your Annual Meeting journey, forge meaningful connections, and ensure you’re fully equipped to take full advantage of all the exciting opportunities this event has to offer. We look forward to meeting you and helping you make the most of your NABL experience!

Juliet H. Huang, The Workshop Chair
Chapman and Cutler LLP

This year’s gathering promises to be celebratory as we come together to recognize new leadership and celebrate remarkable achievements within our community.

We will welcome the incoming 2023-2024 NABL President, Carol J. McCoog of Hawkins Delafield & Wood LLP, as she shares her visionary ideas and goals for the year ahead. Her wealth of experience and dedication to our mission will inspire us all as we embark on this new chapter together.

As always, this gathering will be an excellent opportunity to foster camaraderie, exchange knowledge, and strengthen professional relationships among our members. We encourage you to actively engage in the event’s various discussions and networking opportunities, which can lead to invaluable connections and collaborations within our niche.

Juliet H. Huang, Panel Chair
Chapman and Cutler LLP

Panelists

Doug Baldessari, Baker Tilly
Timothy Farkas, Ameresco, Inc.
Charles S. Henck, Ballard Spahr LLP
Neal Skiver, LVL Finance LLC

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is the most significant legislation in U.S. history to ever address climate change, clean energy and sustainability.  But you may be surprised to know that it contains a lot more than just incentives for solar and wind.  Read the full description here.

2:30pm – 2:45pm Networking Break

2:30pm – 5:30pm Sponsor Tables Open

Panelists:

Carol L. Lew, Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth
Allyson Belsome, Internal Revenue Service
Rene A. Moore, Butler Snow

This panel will focus on the IRS perspective on (1) current topics relating to IRS examinations of tax-exempt bonds and other tax-advantaged bonds, (2) current topics relating to appeals from examinations of tax-exempt and other tax-advantaged bonds to the IRS Independent Office of Appeals, (3) current topics relating to the IRS Voluntary Closing Agreement Program (VCAP) for tax-exempt bonds and other tax-advantaged bonds, and (4) other initiatives, activities and publications of the tax-exempt bond functions within the TE/GE Division of the IRS. The panel will include representatives of the IRS and private practitioners. 

James (Lee) Birchall, Panel Chair
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP

Panelists:

Sam Denton-Schneider, Municipal Syndicate Desk at Goldman Sachs
Anthony Leyden, S&P Global

Let Me Check With My Desk is all about the municipal bond trading desk. Investment bankers will give attendees a behind-the-scenes look at the structure and organization of a desk, the various professionals working there, and the roles they play in the sale of municipal bonds.  Attendees will leave with a better understanding of the process of underwriting a typical transaction as well as issues unique to the desk such as marketing, pricing, and trading.  IPREO will also model a live day-of-pricing scenario so attendees can see how the desk takes and allocates orders and determines the final pricing.

Kostas A. Poulakidas, Panel Chair
Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

Panelists:

Joseph E. (Jodie) Smith, Maynard Cooper & Gale PC
Aileen S. Thomas, Jones Walker LLP, Jackson

Designed for public finance attorneys, this panel will provide an overview of Qualified Opportunity Zones and Qualified Opportunity Zone Funds and how they are used within various economic development structures. This panel is intended to help public finance attorneys understand the basics of Qualified Opportunity Zones and how to discuss them with municipal and private sector clients who may also be including tax-exempt and taxable bond financing within their economic development projects.

4:00pm – 4:15pm Networking Break

Barbara J. League, Panel Chair
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

Panelists:

Alison J. Benge, Pacifica Law Group
Scott R. Lilienthal, Hogan Lovells US LLP

This panel will discuss current federal tax issues, including any recently released notices, rulings, regulations and/or other guidance. In order to address any late-breaking topics, the specific topics are subject to change. However, the panel expects to address the recent hotel management private letter contract ruling with the insights of someone who worked on the ruling request.

Daniel M. Deaton, Panel Chair
Nixon Peabody LLP

Panelists:

David Cohen, RBC Capital Markets
Dave Sanchez, Office of Municipal Securities at the Securities Exchange Commission

This panel will include practitioners and securities regulators discussing the most pressing federal securities law issues facing the municipal bond market, with a focus on how to implement practical and effective solutions to address these issues.  While the final topics will be developed based on current events, expect to hear updates about (1) current disclosure challenges facing the market, and (2) climate change risk and opportunity disclosure.

5:30pm – 6:30pm Welcome Reception

Thursday, October 19

6:00am – 7:00am Optional Morning Run (no registration required)

7:00am – 5:00pm Registration/Check-In Desk & Sponsor Tables Open

7:00am – 8:00am Continental Breakfast Buffet

Panelists:

David J. Cholst, Chapman and Cutler LLP
Laurie Scott, Integrity Public Finance Consulting LLC
David A. Sutton, Raymond James Financial, Inc.

This panel session is intended to be an intermediate-level discussion for the newer practitioner or a refresher for those in need of a reminder of the various arbitrage issues applicable to tax-exempt municipal bonds.  The panel will address topics related to the identification of gross proceeds, a summary and review of various temporary periods and spending exceptions to rebate and common pitfalls related to these exceptions. It will address common arbitrage and rebate concepts encountered in structuring transactions and post-issuance compliance matters, including addressing issues related to rebate compliance and computations.

Brent L. Feller, Panel Chair
Chapman and Cutler LLP

Panelists:

Stefano Taverna, McCall, Parkhurst & Horton LLP
Lauren Mack, Reyes Kurson

In this session, tax law practitioners will discuss the tax law issues that may arise in bank direct placements and bank loans.  Issues that will be discussed include tax issues that may arise for obligations that moved from an IBOR rate to SOFR pursuant to the Adjustable Interest Rate (LIBOR) Act, determining issue price in a direct placement, reissuance issues that may arise in the direct purchase context, tax issues that may arise in connection with bank covenants, contingent interest analysis, draw-down bonds, and bank-qualified bonds.  The bank qualification discussion will focus on issues relating to refundings and deemed designations, timing of designations, the impact of premium, aggregation rules, and opinion practice.

Bill D. Burns, Panel Chair Gilmore & Bell, P.C.

Panelists:

Randy J. Curato, ALAS, Inc.
Mark A. Webster, Aon
Kimberly J. Min, Whiteford Taylor & Preston LLP

This panel will include public finance practitioners and legal practice liability insurer representatives discussing the latest trends in public finance practitioners’ potential exposure to professional liability.  The panel will feature a practical discussion of how exposure to liability can be reduced and how losses may be prevented, as well as interactive questions regarding the application of the model rules to public finance transactions.  Legal malpractice carrier personnel will offer unique perspectives on liability scenarios.  The panel will use ethical and risk management implications of the potential incorporation of artificial intelligence tools into a public finance legal practice to explore conflicts, competence, and confidentiality issues facing lawyers practicing today.

Nathan Canova, Panel Chair
Dorsey & Whitney LLP

Panelists:

Harsha A. Sekar, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
Alan Woolever, Gilmore & Bell, P.C.

This panel will cover intermediate and advanced topics in tax-exempt leasing, including topics in state law and federal securities and tax law. Commercial financial disclosure laws regulate some lessors and are now in effect in a handful of states, with new legislation introduced in several more states. Panelists will highlight the new laws, their impact on lease transactions, and national efforts to create uniform disclosure laws.

Panelists will also take a deep dive into the federal securities laws of lease financing and discuss the framework for analyzing leases, including a general discussion of the Howey and Reves tests, and a series of SEC no-action letters directly applicable to lease financing structures. Finally, the panel will cover fundamental, but advanced, tax topics routinely at issue in tax-exempt leasing transactions, such as distinguishing true leases from capital leases, properly completing the IRS Form 8038-G (Line 20), and dealing with escrow extensions and qualified stated interest original issue discount.

9:15am – 9:30am Networking Break

William A Milford, Panel Chair
Bryant Miller Olive, P.A.

Panelists:

Johnny W. Hutchinson, Nixon Peabody
Katrina Desmond, Miller Canfield
John F. Stanley, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliff LLP

This panel will focus on recent developments and discuss and analyze a variety of tax issues through a discussion of refunding and reissuance trends. Potential discussion topics include (i) forgotten refunding considerations in a positive arbitrage environment, (ii) tax considerations in tender and exchange transactions, and (iii) best practices for analyzing common reissuance fact patterns. The panel is designed to appeal to attendees with a working knowledge of the applicable federal tax rules pertaining to refunding and reissuance transactions.

Panelists:

Nancy A. Burke, Chapman and Cutler LLP
Bryon G. Farnsworth, Norton Rose Fulbright
Robyn L. Helmlinger, Orrick Herrington & Sutcliff LLP

This panel will examine non-tax issues for financings of 501(c)(3) healthcare providers, with the panel addressing hot topics in healthcare finance. The primary focuses are expected to be structural uniquenesses for healthcare credits; recent developments in light of financial and operating performance headwinds facing healthcare providers (including ongoing challenges to the nonprofit status of healthcare providers); and the continued evolution and increased use of different and re-emerging financing products amidst market turmoil (including the banking crisis).

10:45am – 11:15am Networking Break

Neil J. Kaplan, Panel Chair
Hawkins Delafield & Wood LLP

Panelists:

Michael J. Andreana, Pullman & Comley LLC
Martye Kendrick, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Vanessa Lowry, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Luisella Perri, Foley & Lardner LLP

This panel will address issues complex issues encountered from time to time in the identification and allocation of private business use of bond-financed property. The panelists and the audience will have the opportunity to issue spots and take a deep dive into the private activity bond rules during the discussion of hypotheticals addressing both pre and post-issuance events. The panel is meant for 103 tax lawyers with 5 years or more of experience.

Panelists:

Latrice M. Baptiste, Chapman and Cutler LLP
David Hodapp, RBC Capital Markets
Ernesto Lanza, Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board
Leslie Norwood, Managing Municipal Securities, SIFMA

This panel will review the duties, responsibilities, and potential liability for underwriters in public offerings of municipal securities and the role of underwriter’s counsel in representing underwriters. The panel will also include a discussion of best practices in evaluating and documenting the transaction from the outset through closing.

12:30pm – 1:30pm Lunch Break

12:30pm – 1:30pm Committee Meetings – NABL Members Only
General Law & Practice
Securities Law & Disclosure
Tax Law
Issuer’s and In-House Counsel

Brian M. Egan, Moderator
National Association of Bond Lawyers

Panelists:

Michael (Mike) Busada, Butler Snow LLP
Latasha Thomas, Clark Hill PLC

Join our Governmental Affairs Committee on Thursday afternoon for an update on NABL’s advocacy efforts this year, a recap of recent legislative and regulatory activity that we are tracking, and some discussion on what may be in store for the final months of the year.

2:15pm – 2:30pm Networking Break

Taylor L. Klavan, Panel Chair
Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP

Panelists:

Brian Organ, Hawkins Delafield & Wood LLP
Edwin Oswald, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
Elizabeth M. Walker, Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman P.C.,

This panel will focus on issues that arise for tax-exempt qualified 501(c)(3) bonds, as defined under Section 145 of the Internal Revenue Code.  Such issues covered will include those that arise from:

(1) leases of the bond-financed facilities from the
501(c)(3) organization to other entities;

(2) leasehold interest ownership issues; and

(3) working capital expenditures financed with proceeds of such tax-exempt qualified 501(c)(3) bonds and the $150 million test for non-hospital financings.

Rod Kanter, Panel Chair
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP

Panelists:

Ken R. Artin, Bryant Miller Olive
Ann D Fillingham, Dykema Gossett PLLC
Poonam Patidar, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.

This panel will focus on three phases of a “deal gone bad”. The first phase, the default and mobilization stage, includes issues such as the standard for notice to the public market under Rule 15c2-12, the effect of cross-default provisions and “most favored lender” provisions, and mobilization efforts by the bond trustee and other creditors.

The second phase, the workout phase, includes issues such as the trustee’s duties under the prudent creditor standard, communication strategies for informing bondholders, the use and effect of waivers and forbearance agreements, bond document provisions for control of remedies, and reissuance issues.

The third phase, bankruptcy, will focus on eligibility for Chapter 9, some key differences between Chapter 9 and Chapter 11, and practical aspects of navigating through bankruptcy for the issuer or borrower and the creditors. With respect to the third phase, the panel will address new rulings that could impact significantly how revenues and other funds pledged to a transaction and generated post-petition are treated in the Chapter 9 context.

Elizabeth M. Columbo, Chair
Nixon Peabody LLP

Panelists:

Mason Baker, Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems
James C. Burr, Chapman and Cutler LLP, Salt Lake City, Utah
Christopher Fink, Bank of America Securities, Inc.
Chris Lover, Goldman Sachs PFM

This panel will explore current trends in energy finance, including a discussion by the panelists of some of the priorities, objectives, and goals that are impacting the development and financing of energy and specifically renewable energy projects by municipal issuers.

We will focus on the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which makes federal cash subsidies available to local governments for the construction of renewable energy projects, and provide some examples of the potential cost savings that can be realized for these projects as a result of the IRA. This panel will also discuss some of the challenges that exist as power supply markets transition to cleaner energy sources, including a discussion of the challenges of building new nuclear generation. Finally, this panel will discuss the use of prepayment transactions as another tool that some municipal utilities are using to help manage the costs of providing electricity and to avoid increasing rates.

3:45pm – 4:00pm Networking Break

Panelists:

David J. Cholst, Chapman and Cutler LLP
David A. Sutton, Raymond James Financial, Inc.
Laurie Scott, Integrity Public Finance Consulting LLC

This panel session is intended to be a higher-level discussion of arbitrage issues applicable to tax-exempt municipal bonds and the structuring of various transactions.  The panel will also focus on investment considerations and investment-related issues and opportunities arising in a higher yield environment, including strategies and approaches to investing without violating yield-restriction rules, as well as for minimizing any rebate or yield reduction payment liability through permitted elections made on the issue date or other permitted structuring tools.

Ed Fierro, Panel Chair
Bracewell LLP

Panelists:

Brian Fagel, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Meghan Ferguson, FINRA
Drew R. Kintzinger, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

This panel will examine recent and notable SEC and FINRA Enforcement actions and provide an overview of the priorities of the SEC’s Public Finance Abuse Unit and FINRA.  The panel will also provide an overview of the investigation process for the SEC and FINRA.   

Panelists:

Steven Washington, Chapman and Cutler LLP
Richard H. Chapman, Clark Hill PLC

Learn about the latest diversity, equity, and inclusion research, trends, and tactics to interrupt implicit bias.

Join your fellow attendees and members of Muni Pride at this reception celebrating our gathering of public finance professionals and advancing pride in the #muniverse.

We’re welcoming Chicago MuniPride Members to the NABL Diversity Reception. This event will provide opportunities to network with public finance professionals from across the country. The reception is open to all registered Workshop attendees and there is no charge for local MuniPride members to attend, however, pre-registration is required.

Please register for the reception here.

Friday, October 20

7:30am – 8:45am Continental Breakfast Buffet

7:30am – 10:00am Sponsor Tables Open

7:30am – 11:30am Workshop Information & CLE Desk Open

Neil J. Kaplan, Panel Chair
Hawkins Delafield & Wood LLP

Panelists:

Michael J. Andreana, Pullman &Comley LLC
Martye Kendrick, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Vanessa Lowry, Greenberg Traurig, LLP

This panel will review the basic principles of the private activity bond tests as well as address issues frequently encountered in the identification and allocation of private business use of bond-financed property.  The panelists and the audience will have the opportunity to issue-spot and discuss potential private activity issues during the discussion of hypotheticals addressing both pre and post-issuance events. The panel is meant to provide an overview of private activity bond issues for bond lawyers and tax lawyers with less than 7 years of experience in the review of the basic principles of the private activity bond tests as well as the public finance field.

Brian Teaff, Chair
Bracewell LLP

Panelists:

Sarah A. Breitmeyer, Chapman and Cutler LLP
Susan B. Price, Ice Miller
Dan Semmens, Dorsey & Whitney LLP

Purchasers of tax-exempt obligations typically rely on the “unqualified opinion” of bond counsel as to the excludability of interest on the bonds.  The tax due diligence performed by bond counsel is a critical foundation for the delivery of the opinion.  This “practice-focused” panel will explore the due diligence, legal research and analysis, and documentation necessary to support the tax opinion.  

Jon P. Jurich, Panel Chair
Pacifica Law Group LLP

Panelists:

Sisera M. Daniel, Kutak Rock LLP
Cory G. Kalanick, Sherman & Howard LLC
Victoria N. Ozimek, Bracewell LLP

This panel will discuss the range of housing development strategies in the current market (including senior, affordable, “missing middle” and “workforce” housing), current issues in deal structures, the impact of the return of opportunities for positive arbitrage, issues relating to increasingly complex capital stacks and available sources of funds to construct housing developments, and emerging tax and disclosure issues in an environment with rising costs and interest rates.

Panelists:

Kimberly Marini, Ballard Spahr, LLP
Meenah Kim, Jefferies, LLC
Ernesto Lanza, Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board
Leslie Norwood, Managing Municipal Securities, SIFMA

This panel will consider several of the key developments that have affected the obligations of underwriters in the municipal securities market and how those developments should inform appropriate representation of underwriters by their counsel. This panel will focus on appropriate divisions of responsibilities between underwriters and their counsel with respect to due diligence, what underwriter’s counsel should be aware of before undertaking a representation, and how to avoid some of the pitfalls that have occurred in the last several years.

10:00am – 10:15am Networking Break

Panelists:

Carol L. Lew, Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth
Rene A. Moore, Butler Snow

This panel will focus on the private practitioner perspective on (1) current topics relating to IRS examinations of tax-exempt bonds and other tax-advantaged bonds, (2) current topics relating to appeals from examinations of tax-exempt and other tax-advantaged bonds to the IRS Independent Office of Appeals, (3) current topics relating to the IRS Voluntary Closing Agreement Program (VCAP) for tax-exempt bonds and other tax-advantaged bonds, and (4) other initiatives, activities and publications of the tax-exempt bond functions within the TE/GE Division of the IRS. The panel will not include representatives of the IRS and will be for private practitioners only.

Everett Martinez, Panel Chair Denver International Airport – City & County of Denver Dept of Aviation

Panelists:

Erin K. Law, Chief Counsel for Public Finance, Office of the CFO
Sharone Levy, Nixon Peabody LLP
T. Parker Schenken, Sherman & Howard L.L.C.

This panel will explore the role of Issuer’s Counsel in bond transactions, with a particular focus on the perspective of the in-house Issuer’s Counsel. How can Issuer’s Counsel help clients set themselves up for success in their transactions? How should Issuer’s Counsel interact with the other legal and financial professionals involved in the bond issue? What are hot topics for Issuer’s Counsel in 2023?

Katherine A. Gale, Panel Chair        
Chapman and Cutler LLP

Panelists:

Jonathan Casiano,  PNC Public Finance
Amy K. Condaras, Frost Brown Todd LLP
Michael G. Thomas, Kutak Rock LLP

This panel will cover bank direct purchases and other commercial bank products. In this panel, we will discuss structuring and legal considerations that arise in private placement bond issues, bank direct purchases, and other bank facilities. Topics to be discussed include trends in bank loans and other direct-placement financings, such as letters of credit, hybrid financings, liquidity, and operational financings; securities law considerations; negotiation of covenants and other contract terms; use of forward delivery arrangements and other refunding tools; application of certain MSRB rules; roles and responsibilities of Municipal Advisors and Placement Agents; and considerations relating to continuing disclosure “financial obligation” filings. The session will emphasize general concepts which practitioners may face on direct purchase transactions and specific provisions that are frequently negotiated in such transactions.

Overview

Welcome to The Workshop, an exciting industry event that marks our journey of resilience and adaptability as we face challenges from an ever-changing environment.  We have said goodbye to an era of historically low-interest rates.  Construction costs continue to rise and supply chain shortages all add pressure to the capital projects that we help our clients finance.  The conference offers knowledge and paths, covering a wide range of topics; from reminding you of arbitrage and rebate pitfalls that are once again relevant, or helping you stay abreast of the latest securities law developments, to identifying opportunities in the Inflation Reduction Act.  This collaborative environment allows for optimal engagement with peers and information-sharing to learn about the latest approaches and issues in public finance.

This year, we are excited to present The Workshop’s 29 sessions with the chance to earn up to 12.25 CLE hours, including 3.75 ethics credits. There will also be a new panel, Trends in Energy Finance focused on tax-exempt gas or electricity prepay structures that are increasingly popular in a rising interest rate environment.

Known for its top-notch educational sessions, The Workshop features distinguished speakers who share their expertise and insights on the latest developments in the municipal bond marketplace, catering to the preferences and needs of all our valued members. Our carefully curated sessions are designed to foster vibrant discussions and an exchange of substantive information across a broad range of public finance topics. By bringing together practitioners, government officials, and industry representatives, we create a conducive environment to share novel ideas and insights that will help us address today’s challenges and shape the future of our field.

Join us at The Workshop as we celebrate the spirit of progress and collaboration. Together, we can work together to overcome today’s hurdles and embrace the opportunities ahead and embark on a journey of growth and success.

General Session

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is the most significant legislation in U.S. history to ever address climate change, clean energy, and sustainability.  But you may be surprised to know that it contains a lot more than just incentives for solar and wind.  The IRA will deploy hundreds of billions of dollars to support a surprising range of capital projects across many sectors (including certain fossil fuel projects).  In addition to giving governmental entities, non-profits, electric rural co-ops, and tribal entities (among others) access to various tax credits for the first time, the IRA also permits the transfer and monetization of tax credits now.  Funds under the IRA will be delivered through a mix of tax incentives, loans, loan forgiveness, guarantees, grants, rebates, and direct spending that will flow through more than a dozen federal agencies, with the lion’s share handled by the U.S. Treasury. 

This year’s General Session will include experts who will help demystify the types of projects that can receive funding under the IRA and that are most relevant to NABL members and our clients.  You’ll learn the ways in which the IRA is particularly lenient and beneficial for small projects in particular.  You’ll also learn that one of the IRA’s goals is to help communities historically reliant on coal, oil, or natural gas.  During a time when interest rates and project costs are keeping many clients from financing projects, the General Session offers an opportunity to learn about the ways in which the IRA can provide cash to help fund critical capital projects.

CLE & App

The Workshop offers an opening general session and nine-panel sessions (total of 29 sessions to choose from), which gives participants a total of 725 minutes of educational content. After the conference, NABL will provide recordings for 28 of the sessions, so you will have access to more than 2,000 minutes of educational content.

NABL is offering three ethics courses:

  • Professional Responsibility
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • Mental Health and Substance Abuse – NEW COURSE

60-Minute States: NABL is applying for 12.25 hours of general credits and 3.75 hours of Ethics Credits
50-minute States: NABL is applying for 14.70 hours of general credits and 4.50 hours of Ethics Credits

It’s important to fill out your schedule when you register, so we can report your CLE hours correctly to the respective states. 

Questions? Visit our CLE FAQ page or email us at CLE@nabl.org

App Access & Download

These instructions are for those who have accessed NABL Events and other conferences such as The Essentials, The Institute,  and The Workshop. To access The Workshop 2023, follow these steps:

  1. To access The Workshop app in NABL Events, click the NABL Events icon.
  2. The Workshop will automatically upload.
  3. Click on the person in a circle icon at the foot of the screen (one icon from the right).
  4. Click exit event at the foot of the screen. You will be taken to a home screen with both events.
  5. Download The Workshop by clicking on the down arrow in the upper right of that small icon for the event.
  6. Click the right arrow (top right) to enter The Workshop portion of the app.

Sponsors

We are grateful to our sponsors who help make this conference possible. Sponsorship plays an important role in promoting the integrity of the municipal bond market and is crucial to making all our educational and advocacy events a integral part of NABL’s success. Take a moment and visit their websites to learn more about who they are by clicking on their logos.

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About NABL Sponsorship

NABL sponsors play a special role in promoting the integrity of the municipal market through education and advocacy. Sponsors receive year-long, high-level recognition by being associated with NABL through exposure targeted to NABL members and constituencies.
Get in front of firm partners and decision-makers, as 85% of NABL membership is comprised of leaders. Your company’s hyperlinks and logos will be featured in these digital spaces:

This is a unique opportunity to support NABL’s efforts and raise the visibility of your organization to more than 2,500 members and an additional 2,000 industry nonmembers. Check out the Sponsorship Brochure, and contact Sabrina Kidwai for more details.