NABL Signature Conference
The Essentials 2023
Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD, April 19-21, 2023
At The Essentials conference, you’ll gain unparalleled instructional value and real-world insight into municipal finance law. Our panelists focus on the principals and general concepts of public finance practice, covering the fundamentals of bond law, including conduit issues and issuers, state law issues, closing logistics, securities law, and private activity bonds.
Conference Chairs
Agenda
There are numerous opportunities to network and receive advice from seasoned professionals throughout the conference. Our issuer panelists provide an intimate view of how different members of a working group address legal challenges and interact with each other in the public finance business. This is a valuable opportunity to enhance your understanding of municipal finance law and earn up to 15 CLE credit hours.
Wednesday, April 19
Note: All sessions are Eastern Time
11:00am – 5:30pm
Registration/Check-In Desk Open
12:00pm – 12:15pm
Introduction and Welcome
This session will cover the central structural elements, documentation, and financial aspects of a municipal bond transaction.
PANELISTS
JoLinda L. Herring
Bryant Miller Olive P.A.
Miami, FL
Kareem Spratling
Bryant Miller Olive P.A.
Tampa, FL
Doug Williams
Maynard Cooper & Gale P.C.
Birmingham, AL
2:15pm – 2:45pm
Transition Break
This session will introduce federal tax laws governing municipal bonds.
PANELISTS
Rene A. Moore
Butler Snow LLP
Denver, CO
Victoria N. Ozimek
Bracewell LLP
Austin, TX
Alison Benge
Pacifica Law Group LLP
Seattle, WA
4:00pm – 4:15pm
Transition Break
This session will cover the central structural elements, documentation, and financial aspects of a municipal bond transaction.
PANELISTS
Ed Fiero
Bracewell LLP
Houston, TX
Deanna L.S. Gregory
Pacifica Law Group, LLP
Seattle, WA
Teri M. Guarnaccia
Ballard Spahr LLP
Baltimore, MD
Carol J. Mc Coog
Hawkins, Delafield, & Wood, LLP
Portland, OR
5:30pm – 6:30pm
Welcome Reception
Thursday, April 20
8:00am – 6:00pm
Registration/Check-In Desk Open
Overview of the role of, responsibilities and expectations imposed on issuer’s counsel in a municipal bond transaction.
PANELISTS
Parker Schenken
Sherman & Howard L.L.C.
Denver, CO
Freda J. Wang (Underwriter)
Goldman Sachs’ Public Sector & Infrastructure Group
New York, NY
Ed Fiero
Bracewell LLP
Houston, TX
This session will address federal securities laws applicable to municipal bonds.
PANELISTS
Lindsey A. Rader
Funk & Bolton, P.A.
Baltimore, MD
Kareem Spratling
Bryant Miller Olive P.A.
Tampa, FL
Harsha Arun Sekar
Harsha Arun Sekar
Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP
Denver, CO
Overview of the private activity bond rules applicable to tax-exempt municipal bond transactions.
PANELISTS
Marc L. Oberdorff
Pope Flynn Group, LLC
Charleston, SC
Benjamin R. Kitto
Ice Miller LLP
Columbus, OH
Victoria N. Ozimek
Victoria N. Ozimek
Bracewell LLP
Austin, TX
Lori Smith-Lalla
Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman, P.L.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
9:45am – 10:15am
Transition Break
Introduction to and discussion of the underwriting process, including all aspects of structuring the deal through taking the municipal bonds to market.
PANELISTS
Marc T. Kamer
Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
Columbus, OH
Everett M. Johnson
Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A.
Woodbridge, NJ
Freda J. Wang (Underwriter)
Goldman Sachs’ Public Sector & Infrastructure Group
New York, NY
Introduction to the tax requirements applicable to the issuance of 501(c)(3) bonds, including ownership and use requirements and issues specific to hospital, residential housing, and school financings as well as commonly used financing structures.
PANELISTS
Alison Benge
Pacifica Law Group
Seattle, WA
Sarah Breitmeyer
Chapman and Cutler LLP
Chicago, IL
Sani A. Williams
Bryant Rubbino, LLP
New York, NY
Introduction to the legal and tax aspects of refundings and the core tax concepts of a reissuance.
PANELISTS
Taylor L. Klavan
Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Houston, TX
Rene A. Moore
Butler Snow LLP
Denver, CO
Dana M. Lach
Foley & Lardner LLP
Milwaukee, WI
11:30am – 1:00pm
Lunch Break (on your own)
This session will address federal securities laws applicable to municipal bonds.
PANELISTS
Deanna L.S. Gregory
Pacifica Law Group, LLP
Seattle, WA
Parker Schenken
Sherman & Howard L.L.C.
Denver, CO
Ahmed Abonamah
Chief Financial Officer/Finance Director
City of Cleveland, Cleveland, OH
Overview of certain transactions that do not fit typical structures but are common such as leases, installment payment contracts, pool programs, certificates of participation and others.
PANELISTS
Kimberly J. Min
Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP
Baltimore, MD
Lori Smith-Lalla
Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman, P.L.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Dana M. Lach
Foley & Lardner, LLP
Milwaukee, WI
Overview of general arbitrage concepts, arbitrage rebate requirements, and the application of the various exceptions to the arbitrage rebate rules.
PANELISTS
Robert B. Henderson
Kutak Rock LLP
Omaha, NB
Kimberly C. Betterton
McKennon Shelton & Henn LLP
Washington, DC
Sarah Breitmeyer
Chapman and Cutler LLP
Chicago, IL
2:15pm – 2:45pm
Transition Break
Discussion of hypotheticals that involve the application of certain private activity bond rules to tax-exempt municipal bond transactions.
PANELISTS
Marc L. Oberdorff
Pope Flynn Group, LLC
Charleston, SC
Benjamin R. Kitto
Ice Miller LLP
Columbus, OH
Victoria N. Ozimek
Bracewell LLP
Austin, TX
Lori Smith-Lalla
Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman, P.L.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
An overview of the logistics of closing a bond transaction, including drafting of various closing papers, preparing the Form 8038G or 8038, and DTC’s role prior to, during, and after a bond closing.
PANELISTS
Everett M. Johnson
Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A.
Woodbridge, NJ
Lindsey A. Rader
Funk & Bolton, P.A.
Baltimore, MD
Sani A. Williams
Bryant Rubbino, LLP
New York, NY
Overview of the role of, responsibilities and expectations imposed on issuer’s counsel in a municipal bond transaction.
PANELISTS
Erin Law
Government Office of the Chief Financial Officer
Washington, DC
Parker Schenken
Sherman & Howard L.L.C.
Denver, CO
David Unkovic
McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC
Lancaster, PA
4:00pm – 4:30pm
Transition Break
This session description is forthcoming.
PANELISTS
Deanna Gregory
Pacifica Law Group, LLP
Seattle, WA
Teri M. Guarnaccia
Ballard Spahr LLP
Baltimore, MD
Taylor L. Klavan
Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Houston, TX
Uyen Poh
Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP
New York, NY
Friday, April 21
8:00am – 1:00pm
Registration/Check-In Desk Open
Discussion of hypotheticals that involve the application of certain federal tax laws relating to arbitrage rebate and the exceptions to the arbitrage rebate.
PANELISTS
Robert B. Henderson
Kutak Rock LLP
Omaha, NB
Kimberly C. Betterton
McKennon Shelton & Henn LLP
Washington, DC
Sarah Breitmeyer
Chapman and Cutler LLP
Chicago, IL
Discussion of hypotheticals that involve the application of certain federal tax laws relating to refundings, including the repeal of tax-exempt advance refundings, as well as reissuance.
PANELISTS
Taylor L. Klavan
Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Houston, TX
Rene A. Moore
Butler Snow LLP
Denver, CO
Dana M. Lach
Foley & Lardner LLP
Milwaukee, WI
Introduction to state law creation of and limitations on conduit bond issuers, the roles of counsel, multi-state issuers, and many other issues unique to conduit bond issues. Overview of the rules applicable to qualified small issue bonds, including qualifying projects, prohibited and restricted uses and maximum amounts, and the rules relating to qualified exempt facility bonds.
PANELISTS
Harsha Arun Sekar
Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP
Denver, CO
JoLinda L. Herring
Bryant Miller Olive P.A.
Miami, FL
Marc L. Oberdorff
Pope Flynn Group, LLC
Charleston, SC
9:45am – 10:15am
Transition Break
This session will address, in an interactive format, some of the ethical and practical issues related to legal representations in municipal finance, including: engagement letters, delivery of opinions and conflicts of interest, and a discussion of applicable ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct. This session is anticipated to qualify for CLE ethics credit.
PANELISTS
Benjamin R. Kitto
Ice Miller LLP
Columbus, OH
Kimberly J. Min
Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP
Baltimore, MD
Marc T. Kamer
Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
Columbus, OH
11:30am – 12:00pm
Transition Break
The Essentials concludes with a fourth General Session entitled “Tying It All Together.” This popular session takes attendees through a typical bond issue – from the initial client call to closing – using an interactive, informal platform that incorporates concepts from across the General Sessions and breakout sessions. Panelists play the roles of issuer, underwriter, bond attorney, and tax attorney as they navigate through a bond transaction from start to finish. Along the way, they encounter, explain, and resolve issues typically encountered in public finance transactions.
PANELISTS
Ahmed Abonamah (Issuer)
Chief Financial Officer/Finance Director
City of Cleveland, Cleveland, OH
Deanna L.S. Gregory (Underwriter)
Pacifica Law Group, LLP
Seattle, WA
Doug Williams (Underwriter’s Counsel)
Maynard Cooper & Gale P.C.
Birmingham, AL
Carol J. Mc Coog (Bond Counsel)
Hawkins, Delafield, & Wood, LLP
Portland, OR
Registration Details
The Essentials offers attendees a foundational experience in municipal finance with an overview of the tax, securities and general public finance laws that impact bond transactions. Register online now or download the registration form to register by check or email.
Paralegals and Non-member government employees must register using the pdf form. Online registration will not reflect the discounted rates.
For the most optimal, interactive learning environment, this is an in-person only event that will have recorded sessions available for CLE credit hours post-conference; there will be no live broadcast.
| NABL Members and Federal / State / Local Government Employees | $625.00 |
| NABL Member Paralegals/Legal Assistants | $195.00 |
| Non-Members | $1,375.00 |
| Non-Member Paralegals/Legal Assistants | $295.00 |
Not a member?
Join and Register Today!
Join NABL and register for the conference today. Membership is valid through December 31, 2023. Register online now or download the registration PDF form to register by check or email.
Rate including membership:
$920.00 (lawyers who passed the bar after 2020)
$1,200.00 (lawyers who passed the bar before 2020)
Registration Substitution and Refund Policy
- Registration fees include NABL membership (through December 2023) for new members who join and register for The Essentials. Your membership application must be submitted with The Essentials registration form. NABL membership is an individual, not firm, membership.
- Substitutions and cancellations are permitted when requested in writing by Thursday, March 23, 2023, 12:00am ET. Email requests to registration@nabl.org.
Hotel & Travel Information
We’ve negotiated special room rates ($209), at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor for attendees; click here to make your reservations or contact the Hyatt Reservations Department at 410.528.1234 and reference our group with The Essentials and by name, National Association of Bond Lawyers. This will ensure you receive the contracted rate; the reservation deadline is April 4, 2023.
Experience an exceptional stay at the Baltimore Inner Harbor hotel designed for business and vacation travelers. Discover a unique blend of urban luxury and local hospitality with stylish rooms and suites that give you a sense of home and tech savvy enhancements that keep you productive.
Hotel Information
Hyatt Reservations Department
Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor 410.528.1234
300 Light Street, Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21202
Amenities
- 488 spacious guestrooms with harbor, water or city views
- Hyatt Fast Board
- Complimentary Wi-Fi access in all public areas
- Outdoor pool with sundeck (seasonal)
- 24 hour key access StayFit™ gym
- 40,000 square feet of function space
Airports
Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI)
11.7 miles
Airport Transportation
Shuttle transportation and Ride share and taxi services to and from the hotel are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Overview
Welcome!
The Essentials is a highly engaging conference providing great educational value and practical understanding of municipal finance law. Attendees are encouraged by faculty to take advantage of networking and mentoring possibilities.
In addition, NABL’s Issuer’s and In-House Counsel Committee will be in attendance, providing the issuer perspective on a number of panels, including “The Role of Issuer’s Counsel,” as well as core Essentials panels such as Conduit Issues and Issuers, State Law Issues, Closing Logistics, Securities Law, and Private Activity Bonds. The issuer panelists will give attendees a firsthand look at how each working group member tackles legal challenges and interactions in the public finance market. Attendees will have direct access to the faculty throughout the conference and are encouraged to ask questions. We are delighted to welcome everyone to this educational seminar.
Thursday, April 9th 8:00am – 9:15am ET
General Sessions
The Essentials begins with three general sessions and concludes with a closing general session for all participants:
- Structuring and Financial Aspects of a Municipal Bond Transaction
This will cover the central structural elements, documentation, and financial aspects of a municipal bond transaction. - General Tax Law
This session introduces federal tax laws governing municipal bonds. - General Securities Law
This will address federal securities laws applicable to municipal bonds. - Tying It All Together.
This popular session takes attendees through a typical bond issue – from the initial client call to closing – using an interactive, informal platform that incorporates concepts from across the general and breakout sessions. Panelists play the roles of issuer, underwriter, bond attorney, and tax attorney as they navigate through a bond transaction from start to finish. Along the way, they encounter, explain, and resolve issues typically encountered in public finance transactions.
CLE
Registrants in states with a 60-minute CLE hour may earn up to 15 total hours of CLE credit, and registrants in states with a 50-minute CLE hour may earn up to 18 total hours of CLE credit. Included in the total hours is one 75-minute ethics session.
The CLE certificates will be available the week of May 8, and we will notify attendees when they are ready to download. Nonmembers will receive their CLE certificate(s) by email by Friday, May 12. If you have questions about CLE, contact us via cle@nabl.org.
Thank You Sponsors!
We are grateful to our sponsors who help make this conference possible. NABL 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.
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