Virginia Wong
Partner / Practice Group Leader, Project Finance and Public Finance
Introduction
Virginia Wong represents both issuers and underwriters in a full range of transactions, including public offerings and private placements, with a particular focus on project bond transactions, securitizations, and tax-exempt revenue bond financings.
My focus
I serve as bond counsel to the New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority, the Sales Tax Securitization Corporation (Chicago), the Puerto Rico Aqueducts and Sewer Authority (PRASA), and the Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority (AAFAF). I’ve also served as bond counsel to the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) in financings for the State University of New York (SUNY), Columbia University, Rockefeller University, St. John’s University, and Teachers College.
I led the firm’s bond counsel representation of the Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority in connection with the largest municipal restructuring in US history for the Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corporation (COFINA), the general obligation debt and guaranteed debt of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the Puerto Rico Highways and Transportation Authority.
My experience includes representing cultural facilities and not-for-profit corporations in their exempt offerings, including Pace University, The Rockefeller Foundation, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the Whitney Museum of American Art, The Juilliard School, Carnegie Hall, Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, The Metropolitan Opera, and the New York Botanical Garden.
I serve as lenders’ counsel and bond counsel on public-private partnership (P3) projects around the country including John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport New Terminal One redevelopment and expansion; San Juan Cruise Terminals Project; Midtown Tunnel/Elizabeth River Crossings refinancing; LAX Automated People-Mover Project; SR 400 Express Lanes MMIP Project; Long Beach Civic Center Project; I-70 Project; I-66 Outside the Beltway Project; and Goethals Bridge P3.
Looking ahead
There is growing recognition of the need for the public and private sectors to join forces to tackle the nation’s infrastructure challenges. We are developing strategies to combine the strengths of both these sectors to create efficient and cost-effective alternative delivery methods for infrastructure projects.
/Insights
- “Examining the Road Ahead for Muni Industry (CPE),” The Bond Buyer's National Outlook Conference, New York, NY, February 8, 2024
- “Innovative and Best Practices in Pursuing Public Financing for Water/Wastewater Systems,” Asset Management and Utility Finances Specialty Conference, Albany, NY, November 15, 2018
In the news
- Bloomberg Tax
Week in Insights: Career moves
Oct 27, 2024The following article covers the NP arrivals of Project Finance & Public Finance partner Brian Organ of San Francisco and associate Brandon Caywood of Chicago. Brian is quoted in the coverage, discussing what attracted him to NP, his background, and the depth of NP’s Section 103 attorneys. New York City partner and PBFN practice group leader Virginia Wong and San Francisco Office Managing Partner Rob Weikert are also quoted from NP’s press release.
- Forbes
Tax Breaks
Oct 26, 2024The following article covers the NP arrivals of Project Finance & Public Finance partner Brian Organ of San Francisco and associate Brandon Caywood of Chicago. Brian is quoted in the coverage, discussing what attracted him to NP, his background, and the depth of NP’s Section 103 attorneys. New York City partner and PBFN practice group leader Virginia Wong and San Francisco Office Managing Partner Rob Weikert are also quoted from NP’s press release.
- Law360
Public finance tax attorney moves to Nixon Peabody in San Francisco
Oct 25, 2024The following article covers the NP arrivals of Project Finance & Public Finance partner Brian Organ of San Francisco and associate Brandon Caywood of Chicago. Brian is quoted in the coverage, discussing what attracted him to NP, his background, and the depth of NP’s Section 103 attorneys. New York City partner and PBFN practice group leader Virginia Wong and San Francisco Office Managing Partner Rob Weikert are also quoted from NP’s press release.
- Reuters
The Daily Docket
Oct 25, 2024The following article covers the NP arrivals of Project Finance & Public Finance partner Brian Organ of San Francisco and associate Brandon Caywood of Chicago. Brian is quoted in the coverage, discussing what attracted him to NP, his background, and the depth of NP’s Section 103 attorneys. New York City partner and PBFN practice group leader Virginia Wong and San Francisco Office Managing Partner Rob Weikert are also quoted from NP’s press release.
- The Bond Buyer
Transit-oriented development part of Harris’ affordable housing plan
Oct 2, 2024This article covers Vice President Kamala Harris’ plan for transit-oriented development as a way to increase housing in urban areas. The article references and quotes a client alert written by New York City partner and Project Finance & Public Finance practice group leader Virginia Wong and partner Roddy Devlin. Virginia and Roddy discuss how the advantages of RRIF and TIFIA financing compared to commercial alternatives available to private developers will likely create more projects.
- The Bond Buyer
The Bond Buyer’s Hall of Fame Class of 2024: Kenneth Lind
Sep 5, 2024New York City Project Finance & Public Finance senior counsel Ken Lind is profiled in this article, following The Bond Buyer’s announcement naming him as a member of the publication’s 2024 Hall of Fame class. The article highlights Ken’s 45-year career working on some of the country’s largest projects and developments as well as his local impact as a public servant. New York City partner and PBFN practice group leader Virginia Wong and partner Adam Gordon are also quoted on Ken’s reputation in the industry and at NP.
- The Bond Buyer
New York City Water back in market with $450 million deal
April 15, 2024This article covers the New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority’s second bond issuance this year—$450 million of fixed-rate second resolution bonds—and mentions NP for serving as bond counsel. The NP team includes New York City Project Finance & Public Finance practice group leader Virginia Wong; Washington, DC PBFN partner Carla Young; and senior counsel Ken Lind, counsel Sebastian Torres and Abbie Olsen, and associate Greg Hom, all of the PBFN practice and New York City office.
- Proximo Infra
JFK Terminal 1 partially wrapped bond refinancing prices
Dec 6, 2023This article covering a $2 billion tax-exempt bond issuance related to a new terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport mentions NP for serving as underwriter’s counsel for Citigroup Global Markets in the transaction. The NP team includes New York City partner and Project Finance & Public Finance practice group leader Virginia Wong, partner Chris Reitzel, senior counsel Ken Lind, and associates Georgia Sackey, Greg Hom, and Paul Dewey; and San Francisco associate Dia Walrath, all of the PBFN practice.
- The Bond Buyer
City of Chicago, Sales Tax Securitization Corporation win Deal of the Year
Dec 5, 2023This article recaps the publication’s “Deal of the Year” being awarded to the City of Chicago and its Sales Tax Securitization Corporation (STSC) for a $1.7 billion financing to address initiatives related to affordable housing, homeless support services, environmental justice, and community development. NP served as bond counsel to STSC in connection with a social bonds component of the deal, which included issuance of $750 million of bonds. The NP team was led by New York City partner and Project Finance & Public Finance practice group leader Virginia Wong and included PBFN partner Carla Young and Corporate partner Lloyd Spencer, both of Washington, DC; counsel Abigail Olsen of New York City and Sharone Levy of Chicago; New York City associate Paul Dewey, and New York City senior paralegal Patrick McGovern, all of the PBFN practice. The article also mentions Virginia for receiving the Freda Johnson Award for the private sector, which recognizes trailblazing women working in public finance. Click here to watch Virginia’s acceptance speech.
- The Bond Buyer
Why the Freda Johnson winners are bullish on munis
Nov 28, 2023New York City partner and Project Finance & Public Finance practice leader Virginia Wong joins this podcast discussion, which spotlights her selection as the private-sector winner of the 2023 Freda Johnson Award. The award is given annually by the Northeast Women in Public Finance to recognize trailblazing women working in the public finance space. The podcast conversation includes Virginia’s approach to leadership, her view of municipal market trends, and her successful mentoring of junior attorneys in a hybrid work environment.
- The Bond Buyer
Virginia Wong is a 2023 Freda Johnson winner
Nov 15, 2023This article profiles and quotes New York City partner and Project Finance & Public Finance practice leader Virginia Wong as the private-sector winner of the 2023 Freda Johnson Award. This prestigious award, given annually by the Northeast Women in Public Finance, recognizes trailblazing women working in the public finance space.
- The Bond Buyer
Rising Stars 2023: Gretchen Sherwood
Sep 13, 2023This article profiles Chicago Project Finance & Public Finance counsel Gretchen Sherwood, who was selected as one of the publication’s “Rising Stars.” The article highlights Gretchen’s practice and pro bono work in the Chicago area, quoting Gretchen as well as Project Finance & Public Finance practice leader Virginia Wong.
- The Bond Buyer
Muni mentorship and a path to success (podcast)
June 27, 2023New York City partner and Project Finance & Public Finance practice leader Virginia Wong joins this episode of the podcast to discuss effective mentorship and how to build successful teams in public finance.
- El Nuevo Dia
The Highways and Transportation Authority’s adjustment plan goes into effect
Dec 7, 2022This article, which covers a debt restructuring of the Puerto Rico Highways and Transportation Authority outstanding indebtedness, mentions NP as legal advisors on the new indebtedness. The NP team includes Project Finance & Public Finance practice group leader Virginia Wong from New York, Washington, DC partners Mitch Rapaport and Carla Young, Los Angeles partner Angelica Valencia, New York associate Sebastian Torres-Rodriguez, and New York senior paralegals Carolyn Yi-Medina and Patrick McGovern, all of the Project Finance & Public Finance group.
- Bond Buyer
Muni vet Wong to lead Nixon Peabody's project finance practice
This article covers the selection of New York City partner Virginia Wong to lead NP’s nationally renowned Project Finance & Public Finance practice. Among the projects mentioned, the article highlights Virginia’s work leading the team that served as bond counsel on the restructuring of more than $33 million in Puerto Rico debt this year, the largest municipal restructuring in US history. PFIRE department head Michael Goldman is also quoted in the article recognizing the contributions and successes of former PGL, New York City Project Finance & Public Finance partner Ken Lind.July 14, 2022 - Bloomberg Law
Wake up call
This roundup of legal industry moves and hires includes New York City partner Virginia Wong’s promotion to Project Finance & Public Finance practice group leader.July 12, 2022 - Bond Buyer
JFK's new Terminal One will look to bond marketing for long-term financing
This article covering financing for John F. Kennedy International Airport’s new Terminal One, including plans to tap the municipal bond market for future phases of the project, mentions NP for serving as underwriter counsel representing Citi. The NP team involved in the project includes New York City partners Chris Reitzel, Virginia Wong, Ken Lind, and Roddy Devlin, and associates Kate Stack of New York and Dia Walrath of San Francisco, all of the Project Finance & Public Finance groupJune 17, 2022 - The Bond Buyer
Puerto Rico's restructured bonds will be exempt, and provide fresh high-yield liquidity
This article on Puerto Rico’s restructured general obligation bonds mentions NP for the firm’s determination that the bonds will be tax-exempt. The NP team is comprised of New York City partners Virginia Wong, Ken Lind, and Liz Columbo, and associate Sebastian Torres; Washington, DC partners Mitch Rapaport and Carla Young; and Los Angeles partner Angelica Valencia, all of the Project Finance & Public Finance group.March 3, 2022 - The Bond Buyer
Santee Cooper approves $1.3 billion tender, exchange bond refunding
This article on Santee Cooper’s board approving a $1.3 billion tender and exchange bond refunding mentions the firm for serving as disclosure counsel. The NP team representing the South Carolina-owned utility company includes partners Liz Columbo, Virginia Wong, and Barry Rothchild of New York, Mitch Rapaport of Washington, DC, and New York counsel Abigail Olsen and associate Sebastian Torres-Rodriguez, all of the Project Finance & Public Finance group. Washington, DC Corporate partner Lloyd Spencer and Los Angeles Project Finance & Public Finance partner Dan Deaton assisted with the analysis of securities laws related to the tender and exchange.Feb 9, 2022 - Inframation News
Virginia toll road refinancing bonds
This article on the refinancing of Elizabeth River Crossings’ bonds, which were used to modernize a river tunnel system in Virginia, mentions the firm for the work by New York City partners Virginia Wong and Roddy Devlin and Washington, DC partner Mitch Rapaport, all of the Project Finance & Public Finance group, for serving as bond counsel.Jan 11, 2022 - The Bond Buyer
DASNY sells over $2.5B of PIT bonds; munis unchanged in face of large supply
This article on the state of the municipal bond market covers the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York’s sale of almost $2.5 billion of personal income tax receipt bonds. The firm is mentioned as bond counsel for the work by New York partners Chris Reitzel and Virginia Wong, and associates Adam Gordon and Kate Stack; Albany counsel Jeff Pohl; and Washington, D.C. partner Bruce Serchuk and associate Joel Swearingen, all of the Project Finance & Public Finance group.Oct 8, 2020 - The Bond Buyer
SUNY seeks near-term relief with $328.5M bond deal
This article, covering the State University of New York’s sale of $328.5 million in federally taxable dormitory facilities revenue bonds, mentions NP as bond counsel. New York City Project Finance & Public Finance partner Virginia Wong and counsel Abigail Sterling Olsen worked with SUNY on the bond sale, which is intended to offset expected declines in student housing revenue due to the pandemic.July 13, 2020 - Project Finance International
U.S. airports on the runway
Project Finance and Public Finance partner Roddy Devlin, together with group leader Ken Lind and partner Virginia Wong, all from New York City, contributed this article on the increasing usage of the P3 model in U.S. infrastructure projects.June 26, 2018 - The Bond Buyer
Wells Fargo's Toledo Heads All-Female Municipal Forum Slate
New York City Public Finance partner Virginia Wong is noted among the leadership of the Municipal Forum of New York.July 24, 2014
Admitted to practice
New York
Education
Niagara University, B.A., cum laude
Pace University School of Law, J.D.
Professional activities
- Member, Board of Governors, Fairfield Preparatory High School (2022-present)
- Member, Board of Advisors, New Covenant Center (2021-present)
- Member, Finance Committee, Holy Spirit Church (2018-2023)
- Member, Board of Directors, BronxWorks (2010-2021)
- Secretary, Municipal Forum of the City of New York (2008–2019)
Recognition
- Selected, through a peer-review survey, for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 in the fields of Public Finance Law and Municipal Law; listed since 2020
- Recommended in The Legal 500 United States 2024 editorial for Project finance - Infrastructure and PPP
- Recognized for exceptional standing in the legal community in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2024 for Public Finance (New York).
- The Bond Buyer’s 2023 Freda Johnson Award for Trailblazing Women in the Private Sector
- Recipient, Distinguished Service Award, PACE University Law Leadership Awards 2021
Insights And Happenings
View AllProfessionals in the Practice Area
View AllJulie K. Seymour
Partner / Strategic Impact Partner- Chicago
- Office:+1 312.977.4353
- jkseymour@nixonpeabody.com
-
Scott R. Singer
Partner- New York
- Office:+1 212.940.3182Mobile:+1 917.886.5967
- ssinger@nixonpeabody.com
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