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Introduction
Ken Lind represents issuers, underwriters, financial advisors, banks, and concession bidders on a range of public finance and project finance projects. He advises clients on public offerings and private placements, serving as bond, underwriters’, disclosure, derivatives, or bank counsel.
My focus
New Infrastructure Financing Opportunities
My background working for decades on infrastructure projects with some of the country’s largest and most complicated entities puts our team in a prime position to address all aspects of any issuer’s capital needs. Those entities include the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)—North America’s largest transportation provider—and its subsidiaries, the country’s two largest commuter railroads and its affiliates, the New York City Transit Authority (subway and buses), and the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (operating nine bridges and tunnels); the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (bridges and tunnels, three airports, ports, and rail system); the New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority, which provides water to 10 million residents; the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and its use of Dulles Toll Road revenues to finance a 23-mile extension of the WMATA rail system to Washington Dulles International Airport; and the Hudson Yards Infrastructure Corporation, which is financing improvements (including a subway extension) on the west side of Manhattan to expand the central business district.
The foregoing includes a background not only in project-by-project financings, but also the development and implementation of multi-billion-dollar capital programs and the balancing of different financial priorities in the larger portfolio. In connection with these and numerous other infrastructure projects and financings, I have led teams representing issuers and underwriters, as well as major domestic and international banks in connection with their issuance of liquidity and credit facilities, supporting bonds and notes, as well as their direct purchase thereof.
Federal Funding Sources
I have significant experience creating financings funded in whole or part by federal grants and loans, including TIFIA and Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing (RRIF) loans, federal highway trust fund moneys, and full funding grant agreements, including a number of the largest rail projects in the country.
Structuring and Compliance Advice
My experience working in-house for over 11 years at the MTA with exposure to both the legal and financial aspects of multi-billion-dollar capital programs increased my insight into not only the legal work, but also the ramifications of structuring complex projects and the financing thereof. This experience adds value to advising my clients on matters such as structuring, long-term and interim financing needs, swaps, disclosure, and regulatory compliance.
Representative experience
- Transaction counsel to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in connection with its issuance of $8.7 billion of general obligation contingent value instrument notes as part of the historic restructuring of $33 billion of Commonwealth debt in March 2022.
- Co-bond counsel to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in connection with $4 billion Grant Anticipation Notes, Series 2021A (Fully Appropriated COVID Operating Grants—Federally Taxable) in December 2021.
- Co-bond counsel to the New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority in connection with $450 million Water and Sewer System Second General Resolution Revenue Bonds, Series 2022AA in July 2021.
- Co-bond counsel to the New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority in connection with $284 million+ Water and Sewer System Second General Resolution Revenue Bonds, Fiscal 2021 Series 2 supporting the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (“EFC”) Series 2021 A Bonds, and $51 million+ Water and Sewer System Second General Resolution Revenue Bonds, Fiscal 2021 Series 3 representing a direct loan with EFC in June 2021.
- Co-bond counsel to Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority in connection with $1.2 billion+ Payroll Mobility Tax Senior Lien Bonds, Series 2021A in May 2021, consisting of $633 million+ Subseries 2021A-1 (Tax-Exempt), $356 million+ Subseries 2021A-2 (Tax-Exempt Mandatory Tender Bonds), and $248 million+ Subseries 2021A-3 (Federally Taxable).
- Underwriters counsel in connection with the $100 million The Museum of Modern Art Taxable Bonds, Series 2021 in April 2021.
- Co-bond counsel to the MTA in connection with $700 million Transportation Revenue Bonds, Series 2021A in February 2021, consisting of $495 million Subseries 2021A-1 (Climate Bond Certified) and $205 million Subseries 2021A-2.
- Co-bond counsel to the MTA in connection with $2.9 billion+ Payroll Mobility Tax Bond Anticipation Notes, Series 2020A in December 2020, purchased by Municipal Liquidity Facility LLC under the federal MLF program.
- Co-bond counsel to the MTA in connection with $450 million+ Transportation Revenue Bond Anticipation Notes, Series 2019D in August 2020, the second transaction purchased by Municipal Liquidity Facility LLC under the federal MLF program.
- Underwriters’ counsel in connection with $1 billion+ The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Consolidated Notes, Series AAA in July 2020 to pay debt service on consolidated bonds or other lawful expenditures.
- Co-bond counsel to the New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority in connection with $700 million+ Water and Sewer System Second General Resolution Revenue Bonds, Fiscal 2020 Series FF and GG in June 2020 to finance and refinance improvements to New York City’s water and sewer system serving almost ten-million customers.
- Co-bond counsel to the MTA in connection with $1.7 billion+ Transportation Revenue Green Bonds, Series 2020C (Climate Bond Certified) in May 2020, MTA’s re-entry into the public credit markets following the onset of COVID-19, consisting of tax-exempt and taxable subseries, to finance and refinance transit and commuter rail projects using certified green bonds.
- Co-bond counsel to the MTA in connection with $1 billion+ Transportation Revenue Bond Anticipation Notes, Series 2019D to finance transit and commuter rail projects.
- Bond counsel to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel District in connection with $378 million+ First Tier General Resolution Revenue Bond Anticipation Notes, Series 2019, payable from the receipts of the TIFIA loan and Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (VTIB) loan for the parallel tunnel project.
- Underwriter’s counsel in connection with $1 billion+ The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Consolidated Bonds, Series 212-216 to finance and refinance numerous Port Authority projects.
- Co-bond counsel to the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority in connection with the remarketing of $107 million+ General Revenue Variable Rate Bonds, Series 2001B (secured overnight financing rate tender notes), the first municipal bond deal using an alternative to the LIBOR index.
- Co-bond counsel in connection with $1 billion+ MTA Hudson Rail Yards Trust Obligations, Series 2016A, evidencing the interests of the owners thereof in the MTA Financing Agreement Amount payable by the MTA using ground lease payments from the developers of the Hudson Yards property above Long Island Rail Road’s railyards to finance transit and commuter rail projects.
- Counsel to the MTA in connection with its participation in the United States Department of Transportation TIFIA Loan Agreement, dated July 21, 2017, for up to $526 million+, with New York State Urban Development Corporation d/b/a Empire State Development to transform portions of the old post office building into the Moynihan Train Hall Project primarily serving Amtrak and Long Island Rail Road.
- Bond counsel to the HYIC in connection with $2 billion+ Second Indenture Revenue Bonds, refinancing infrastructure improvements, including the extension of the No. 7 subway line, to the west side of Manhattan.
- Underwriter’s counsel in connection with $114 million+ Colorado Bridge Enterprise Senior Revenue Bonds (Central 70 Project), Series 2017 (Private Activity/AMT)—a P3 financing improvements to a downtown Denver thoroughfare.
- Bond counsel to the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority in connection with $737 million Senior Lien Private Activity Revenue Bonds (Transform 66 P3 Project), Series 2017—a P3 financing improvements to I-66 in northern Virginia.
- Bond counsel to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel District in connection with (i) $321 million+ First Tier General Resolution Revenue Bonds, Series 2016; (ii) the United States Department of Transportation TIFIA Loan Agreement, dated November 10, 2016, for up to $338 million+; and (iii) the VTIB Loan Agreement, dated November 10, 2016, from the Virginia Resources Authority, as manager of the VTIB, for up to $50 million, to finance a parallel tunnel project for a twenty-mile bridge and tunnel, connecting eastern portions of Virginia.
Looking ahead
Our infrastructure team has experienced previous high- and low -interest rate cycles. We are here to discuss from currently available solutions, lower-cost interim financing products, and interest deferral techniques that permit current savings in anticipation of long-term refinancing proposals when interest rates fall.
In the news
- 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
The Bond Buyer’s Hall of Fame Class of 2024
Aug 22, 2024This article celebrates The Bond Buyer’s third annual class of inductees into its Hall of Fame, which includes New York City Project Finance & Public Finance senior counsel Ken Lind. The publication highlights the legacy Ken has built in the public finance community through his innovative problem-solving and compassionate leadership, and his instrumental role in shaping major US infrastructure projects.
- 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.
- IJGlobal
Rhode Island transit P3 starts phase 1
Jan 31, 2024This article, which covers the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) approving a contract with Next Wave Rhode Island Partners to design and build a new downtown Providence transit center, mentions NP for serving as RIPTA’s legal counsel. The NP team includes Providence partner and Construction & Real Estate Litigation practice leader Jeff Brenner, New York City Project Finance & Public Finance partners Roddy Devlin and Adam Gordon, New York City PBFN senior counsel Ken Lind, and Rochester Affordable Housing & Real Estate senior counsel Bruce Baker.
- The Bond Buyer
New York TBTA to sell green bonds backed by state’s payroll mobility tax
Jan 16, 2024This article covers the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority of New York’s plan to sell $300 million of tax-exempt green bonds, which will be used to finance transit and commuter projects in New York City. The article mentions NP for serving as bond counsel in the sale. The NP team includes New York City partners Liz Columbo and Adam Gordon, Washington, DC partner Carla Young, New York City senior counsel Ken Lind, and New York City associates Paul Dewey, Georgia Sackey, and Katharine Stack, all of the Project Finance & Public Finance practice.
- 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
$765M Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority deal draws focus
Jan 5, 2023This article covers client Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority’s $765 million Payroll Mobility Tax Senior Lien Refunding Green Bonds, which were priced Thursday in the primary market. The NP team serving as bond counsel on this deal includes New York City partners Ken Lind, Liz Columbo, and Adam Gordon; Washington, DC partner Carla Young; New York City counsel Abigail Olsen; and New York City associates Kate Stack, Paul Dewey, and Georgia Sackey, all of the Project Finance & Public Finance practice.
- The Bond Buyer
2022 Rising Stars: Adam Gordon
Nov 14, 2022New York City Project Finance & Public Finance partner Adam Gordon is profiled as one of the publication’s “2022 Rising Stars,” recognizing the next generation of municipal finance professionals. The article highlights Adam’s work as bond counsel for the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, and quotes New York City Project Finance & Public Finance partner Ken Lind on Adam’s success.
- 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 - 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
Market sectors and segments pointed volume down in the Northeast
The article on the state of the municipal bond markets mentions NP for serving as bond counsel on the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority’s $1.24 billion payroll mobility tax senior lean deal for MTA Bridges and Tunnels. The NP team included New York partners Liz Columbo, Ken Lind, Adam Gordon, Chris Reitzel, and counsel Abigail Olsen, and Washington DC partner Carla Young, all of the Project Finance and Public Finance group.Feb 25, 2022 - The Bond Buyer
Hudson Yards rides upgrades into $542 million sale
This article focuses on New York City development Hudson Yards and its upcoming offering of Series 2022A fixed-rate revenue green bonds. Our firm is mentioned as co-bond counsel for the work by Project Finance & Public Finance team leader and New York City partner Ken Lind.Oct 15, 2021 - The Bond Buyer podcast
Pandemic's effect on issuers
This podcast episode features Project Finance & Public Finance leader and New York City partner Ken Lind’s industry outlook, including sectors and financing instruments, virus-related SEC disclosure guidance, and the planned phase-out of Libor. The episode notably mentions the firm’s U.S. News accolade for “Law Firm of the Year in Public Finance for 2021“.Dec 15, 2020 - The Bond Buyer
Rising Stars
This article features Rochester Project Finance & Public Finance partner Barry Carrigan for being named as one of The Bond Buyer’s “Rising Stars,” a top accolade in the public finance industry. The article also quotes Project Finance & Public Finance practice group leader and New York partner Ken Lind on Barry’s ground-breaking financing for clients such as BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC.Oct 19, 2020 - The Bond Buyer
Valencia named Nixon Peabody partner as her role expands
Los Angeles Project Finance and Public Finance partner Angelica Valencia is featured in this story on her promotion to partner. Practice group leader Ken Lind is also quoted.Feb 12, 2019 - The Bond Buyer
BAML, PFM maintain top positions in rankings in slower muni market
Project Finance and Public Finance practice group leader Ken Lind, based in New York City, is quoted in this story on Q3 and Q4 bond issuance activity and the impact of the new Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR).Oct 5, 2018 - 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 - Law360
Law360 names attorneys who moved up the firm ranks in Q1
May 7, 2018In this roundup of promotions to partner and firm management positions, 14 attorneys from Nixon Peabody are highlighted. The 11 attorneys promoted to partner are Ellie Altshuler, Mark Beaudoin, Erik Birkeneder, Hannah Bornstein, Chris Browning, Barry Carrigan, Keri McWilliams, Matt Mullen, Steven Richard, Charles Tamuleviz and Alison Torbitt. In addition, Kenneth C. Lind was promoted to leader of the firms’ public finance practice group, Justin Thompson was promoted to office managing partner in LA, and Aaron Yowell was promoted to chief innovation officer.
- Reuters Legal
Career Tracker: Lawyers on the Move
This roundup of personnel moves in the legal industry mentions the recent appointment of New York City partner Ken Lind as public finance practice group leader.March 26, 2018 - The Deal
Movers & Shakers
This executive news roundup mentions the recent appointment of New York City partner Ken Lind as public finance practice group leader.March 20, 2018 - Reuters Legal
Career Tracker: Lawyers on the Move
New York City public finance practice group leader Ken Lind is included in this executive news roundup for his recent promotion.March 19, 2018 - The Bond Buyer
Nixon Peabody Picks Partner Lind to Lead Public Finance Practice
CEO and managing partner Andrew Glincher is quoted in this article on the appointment of New York City public finance practice group leader Ken Lind. The promotion of Rochester public finance partner Barry Carrigan is also highlighted.March 15, 2018 - The Bond Buyer
Virginia Bay Bridge District Fast-Tracks Subsea Tunnel
New York City Public Finance partner Ken Lind and Washington, DC, Public Finance partner Mitch Rapaport are both noted as bond and disclosure counsel in this article on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel District of Virginia’s planned subsea tunnel.March 23, 2015
Admitted to practice
New York
California
Education
New York University School of Law, LL.M.
New York University School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude
Colgate University, B.A.
Recognition
- Selected, through a peer-review survey, for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 in the field of Public Finance Law and Utilities Law
- Selected as the 2023 Public Finance Law “Lawyer of the Year” in New York City
- Listed in Best Lawyers since 2019
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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