Introduction
Katie Baynes, a partner in Nixon Peabody’s Public Finance group, focuses her practice on project finance, infrastructure finance and public finance. She represents government authorities, issuers and underwriters in connection with project financings including stadiums and arenas as well as industrial development revenue bonds; college and university bonds; hospital, health care, and senior living bonds; and other exempt facility bonds.
My focus
Project Finance
I have been involved in project financings around the country. Some examples of transactions that I have been involved with include: representing the underwriters in the financing of a $1.8 billion nitrogen-based fertilizer production plant in Lee County, Iowa, the financing and refinancing of recycled paper mills in Georgia, New York, Ohio and Indiana, the financing of a methanol facility in Texas, and the financing of a project in northern California referred to as the Cal Ag Project, which will process rice straw (the portion of the rice crop remaining after the rice has been harvested) and produce medium density fiberboard (MDF). In addition, I have represented various clients on project financings for proton cancer treatment facilities in Georgia, New Jersey, Maryland, and Washington.
Stadiums and Arenas
I have been involved in numerous tax-exempt and taxable stadium and sports team financings, including for the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Yankee Stadium and Citi Field Ballpark, MetLife Stadium in New Jersey and Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Our team has won national recognition for its award-winning solutions to the challenges of financing these projects, which leverage taxpayer dollars to maximize private investment in these public facilities.
Economic Development
I am involved in a broad array of financings for economic development, including serving as bond counsel and underwriter’s counsel. Projects financed include industrial development bonds as well as those for nonprofit borrowers such as universities and hospitals.
Banks
I have also represented financial institutions issuing letters of credit and standby bond purchase agreements to support a variety of municipal bonds. I have structured and negotiated senior lien secured and unsecured debt, including credit facilities, exempt public offerings, limited offerings and private placements as well as subordinated debt and related inter-creditor arrangements.
Looking ahead
There is an abundance of opportunity for tax-exempt incentives to help communities seeking to provide employment growth and borrowers (private as well as nonprofits) seeking new business opportunities. Having an appreciation of all sides of these financings, I look forward to extracting the maximum benefits for my clients from these incentives.
In the news
- Boston Real Estate Times
Nixon Peabody helps client 2Life create innovative housing for seniors in metro Boston
March 20, 2023This article highlights NP for advising 2Life Communities in the site acquisition and development of a new apartment community in Newton, Massachusetts, for older adults in the middle-market. The article quotes Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate senior counsel Allen Lynch, who led the NP team that also included Rochester Project Finance & Public Finance partner Katie Baynes, Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate counsel Christina Ricotta, and Chicago Project Finance & Public Finance counsel Gretchen Sherwood.
- The Daily Record
JustCause honors six with McKnight Award
This article features Rochester Project Finance & Public Finance partner Katie Baynes, who will be honored by JustCause with the William E. McKnight Award, given annually to volunteer attorneys whose pro bono service reflects the commitment to equal justice. JustCause, which works with partners in the Rochester Legal Services Coalition to ensure there are no unmet civil legal needs of low-income residents, will recognize Katie “for her willingness to go above and beyond to assist survivors of domestic violence.”April 28, 2022 - The Deal
Movers & Shakers
This column of notable executive moves in the legal industry included a write-up on the promotion of Nixon Peabody’s 2020 new partner class: Laura Bacon, Shariff Barakat, Katie Baynes, Robert Fisher, Kimberly Harding, Brian Mahoney, Sonia Nayak, Dara Newman Histed, Morgan Nighan, Chris Porzio, Rachel Pugliese, Dana Roper, and Peter Trimarchi.Feb 4, 2020 - Reuters Legal
Career Tracker: Lawyers on the Move
This roundup of personnel moves in the legal industry highlights the 13 members of Nixon Peabody’s 2020 new partner class: Laura Bacon, Shariff Barakat, Katie Baynes, Robert Fisher, Kimberly Harding, Brian Mahoney, Sonia Nayak, Dara Newman Histed, Morgan Nighan, Chris Porzio, Rachel Pugliese, Dana Roper and Peter Trimarchi.Feb 3, 2020
Admitted to practice
New York
Massachusetts
Education
Harvard Law School, J.D., cum laude
Cornell University, School of Industrial & Labor Relations, B.S.
Professional activities
- JustCause, Board Member
- Geva Theater, Board Member
Recognition
- Selected, through a peer-review survey, for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 in the fields of Economic Development Law, Municipal Law, Project Finance Law, Public Finance Law, and Utilities Law
- Named Best Lawyers® 2025 Municipal Law and Public Finance Law “Lawyer of the Year” (Rochester)
- Selected as the 2024 Economic Development Law “Lawyer of the Year” (Rochester)
- Selected as the 2023 Public Finance Law “Lawyer of the Year” (Rochester)
- Listed in Best Lawyers since 2022
- Upstate New York Super Lawyers list in 2014 through 2019, Government Finance Law
- New York Metro Rising Stars list (2011 and 2012)
Insights And Happenings
View AllProfessionals in the Practice Area
View AllVirginia Wong
Partner / Practice Group Leader, Project Finance and Public Finance- New York
- Office:+1 212.940.3028
- vwong@nixonpeabody.com
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Julie K. Seymour
Partner / Strategic Impact Partner- Chicago
- Office:+1 312.977.4353
- jkseymour@nixonpeabody.com
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Scott R. Singer
Partner- New York
- Office:+1 212.940.3182Mobile:+1 917.886.5967
- ssinger@nixonpeabody.com
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