If you would like to be featured, please contact us! Now, let’s meet Tiffaney Troscliar and learn more about her public finance journey:

1. How did your experience as a Ballard Scholar shape your interest in public finance and influence your involvement with NABL?   

On my first day as a 1L summer law clerk at our firm, the first thing my now partner and former NABL President, Jason Akers, did was hand me NABL’s Fundamentals of Municipal Bond Law, and my first official task was to read it.

I quickly learned why that was my first task, as the Fundamentals book contained the basis for everything a young bond lawyer needs to know coming into this practice, almost none of which is actually taught in law school. That book was invaluable to me that first summer and really throughout the entirety of my time as a law clerk and a first and second year associate. So, when I first heard about the Ballard Scholarship, I jumped at the chance to be able to experience an in-person version of The Essentials!

One of my favorite parts of my first Essentials conference as a Ballard Scholar was sitting in a session and hearing the panelists break down the nuances of a tax rule or how they dealt with a certain deal scenario and feeling excitement that I recognized what they were talking about or had worked on that type of deal before. New levels of understanding were unlocking with every session I attended, and it made me all the more excited to keep pursuing this as my career. I pretty much already knew I loved public finance, but it was also reassuring to meet so many other lawyers from across the country that were just as passionate about it as the lawyers in our firm.

As a Ballard Scholar, I was introduced to NABL members and faculty that I now consider colleagues, mentors and friends. Seeing the collegiality of the practice in person just confirmed to me that I was in the right place and this was an organization I wanted to be a part of.

2. What is one memorable or complex deal you’ve been involved in, and what made it challenging?   

I feel like I could give so many different answers to this question as almost every deal these days becomes memorable or complex, but if I had to pick just one, it would be the $1.33B Louisiana Public Facilities Authority Senior Lien Revenue Bonds (I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge Project) that we closed in 2024 as part of the State of Louisiana’s public-private partnership to finance the construction of a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

While there were parts of the issuance process that were fairly routine, the truth is that this deal was anything but! This was not only my first P3 private activity bond deal, but the first and only P3 private activity bond deal done in the State of Louisiana. It was definitely a challenge getting up to speed on the large-scale P3 process and USDOT’s rules and requirements regarding PABs, but then having to take that information and figure out how P3 documents integrate with our bond documents, the tax rules and certain state law requirements was another challenging process in and of itself. While it was challenging, I did find it fun and refreshing to learn something new!

Another nuance was that most of our deals take roughly 3-6 months from the first phone call to the day we close, but this one took well over 3 years, and that’s just from my perspective as bond counsel. The project itself took decades to come together. This was by far the longest transaction I’ve ever worked on, but it taught me the art of being patient when necessary and never giving up on a deal you believe in!

This deal was also unique and challenging from a public and political perspective, as Louisiana has very few toll roads and this was the first time tolls would be utilized on a major interstate highway such as I-10.

Also, just generally navigating the complexities of working together with large and diverse financing teams, including many professionals that have never worked on tax-exempt bond deals or deals in Louisiana, was an interesting challenge. But that made it all the more fulfilling for everyone when we finally got the deal over the finish line!

We were actually able to celebrate together after winning The Bond Buyer’s “Public Private Partnership Deal of the Year” award in 2024 which was my first “Deal of the Year” and an experience I’ll never forget, but I think the biggest celebration for me will be driving across the new bridge in a few years!

3. How has serving as a YLN Representative enhanced your own professional development and engagement with NABL?   

Serving as a YLN Representative has been such a great way for me to get more involved with NABL and develop the skills necessary to really be an effective member and leader within this organization and outside of it. I am a first-generation college and law school graduate and growing up I didn’t really have exposure to anyone close to me serving on committees or boards of non-profit organizations or otherwise. That made getting involved and putting myself out there a bit daunting at first, especially as a young lawyer. But hearing stories and seeing firsthand the joy and fulfillment that being involved within NABL brought to my two mentors, Meredith Hathorn and Jason Akers, made it very easy to want to be a part of this organization.

What I appreciate most about my experience as YLN Representative is that everyone I’ve come across, from NABL Board leadership to committee members to conference faculty and leadership to NABL staff, literally everyone has been so genuinely excited and enthusiastic about YLN and willing to do whatever they can to help it grow. I’ve always felt encouraged to speak up on calls and never once has anyone made me feel as if my opinions or ideas matter less than those of the seasoned leaders. That environment has cultivated a safe space for me to grow into this leadership role, and I now feel comfortable using my voice to advocate for the young lawyers within NABL. I know we are only in our 2nd year of YLN, but I really think it’s been such an important addition to this organization, and I can’t wait to continue supporting its growth!

4. What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned that you think every new attorney should hear?

A piece of advice that my mentor, Meredith Hathorn, has always instilled in me is to never let yourself be the reason a good deal doesn’t get done or doesn’t get done on time. In a world full of people trying to do less (i.e. the new AI generation), be the one who steps up and offers to do more. Even though clients might not always remember the ways in which you go above and beyond to get a deal across the finish line, they will absolutely never forget if you are the reason an important project gets delayed or a deal doesn’t close.

5. What is a fun fact that people might not know about you?

A fun fact people might not know about me is that it wasn’t really my undergrad degree in finance, minor in political science, my grades or what law school I attended that necessarily landed me my first interview as a 1L law student with the firm I am now a partner of. While all of those things were still important factors, it was apparently the “personal interests” line at the bottom of my resume that was intriguing enough to get me an interview with a firm that wasn’t hiring at the time.

It said the following:
“Speedboats and racecars (I drove jr. dragster racecars from ages 8-16 and my Dad builds engines for high performance speed boats for a living – the fastest I’ve driven on water is 170MPH), competing in pageants, walking my dogs, and LSU Football – Geaux Tigers.” 

That being said, don’t be afraid to be yourself. Both in everyday life and on your resume! You never know, you might just end up as a public finance attorney if you do!

The NABL Member Spotlight initiative is a volunteer-based program. All featured members participate voluntarily and are selected to highlight their contributions and achievements within our community. Participation in the spotlight does not imply endorsement by NABL. If you would like to be featured, please contact us!