Commitment to Clients and Communities

I find the greatest satisfaction in assisting our clients to achieve their goals of improving communities and fostering social and community impacts. Thoroughly understanding each client’s business objectives and values is crucial for me to effectively achieve their desired outcomes.  I take pride in playing a small role in helping our clients stimulate economic growth and social change.  I feel fortunate to work alongside creative, like-minded individuals who dedicate their time, energy, and livelihood to improving our communities.

Career Overview

Current Focus: I primarily focus my practice on real estate transactions involving New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC), Historic Tax Credits (HTC), and other federal and state financing incentives. I have extensive experience representing equity investors, lenders, financial institutions, community development entities (CDEs), developers, and for-profit and non-profit borrowers in structuring and closing complex real estate and commercial finance transactions.

Prior to joining the firm, I was a partner in the tax credit departments of three national law firms and also served as in-house counsel for a well-known tax credit syndicator and registered investment advisor. During my time as an in-house attorney, I gained a unique understanding of the business drivers behind a deal and how to successfully balance the business and legal objectives to better achieve a client’s objectives.

Highlights:

Represented an equity investor in providing capital for the expansion and renovation of an aluminum casting foundry to increase production capabilities and create quality jobs for community residents.

Represented a source lender in providing financing for the renovation and expansion of a housing facility and rehabilitation center for youths facing addiction and mental health challenges.

Represented a non-profit borrower in the construction and development of a new federally qualified health center located in a highly distressed neighborhood.

Represented a borrower in the expansion and equipping of multiple family-owned, full-service supermarkets serving low-income communities.

Represented an equity investor and a CDE providing allocation to finance the expansion of a YMCA facility to include a federally qualified health center and adjacent for-sale housing.

Represented an investor providing equity to finance the construction of a 24,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility for an urban community-based music education center, which included a central atrium to be used as a gathering area and performance space, classrooms equipped with smart-space technology and recording equipment, and a fully equipped media lab.

Represented an investor and a CDE providing allocation for the construction of an 18,000 square foot community arts center for hosting arts education programming, community events, and visual art and exhibitions for local and regional artists.

Professional Affiliations

• Member, Illinois Bar Association
• Member, Missouri Bar Association
• Member, Novogradac New Markets Tax Credit Working Group