Introduction
Abigail Sterling Olsen represents governmental issuers, underwriters and borrowers on a range of public finance projects. She advises clients on public offerings and private placements serving as bond, underwriters’, borrower’s, disclosure, and special counsel.
My focus
Public Finance Transactions
I work on financings for transportation, education, public power, and environmental facilities as well as on tobacco asset securitization and other securitization transactions throughout the country, managing transactions for several of the Public Finance practice’s largest clients. These clients include the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), the City of Chicago’s Sales Tax Securitization Corporation, and the District of Columbia Tobacco Settlement Financing Corporation.
Document Drafting
I have extensive experience drafting primary financing and disclosure documents, including indentures, resolutions, official statements, escrow agreements, and continuing disclosure documents.
Looking ahead
Creative financing solutions. The current economic environment is pushing our industry to develop new ways to finance growing infrastructure needs and meet economic challenges. I look forward to helping my clients address their financing goals and disclosure responsibilities by providing proper preparation and guidance. My goal is to navigate municipal securities and disclosure rules, address their financial needs and provide ongoing support during and between financings.
In the news
- The Bond Buyer
MTA set to debut bonds backed by real estate transfer tax
Jan 13, 2025This article covering the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s first bonds backed by its real estate transfer tax mentions NP for serving as co-counsel to the MTA. The NP team includes New York City partners Liz Columbo, Adam Gordon, and Johnny Hutchinson; Washington, DC partner Carla Young; New York City senior counsel Ken Lind and counsel Abbie Olsen; and New York City associate Georgia Sackey, all of the Project Finance & Public Finance practice.
- The Bond Buyer
New York Power Authority lights up market
Oct 24, 2024This article covering New York Power Authority’s $404.4 million of green revenue bonds brought to market this week mentions NP for serving as co-bond counsel on the deal. The NP team includes New York City partner Liz Columbo, Washington, DC partner Mitch Rapaport, New York City counsel Abbie Olsen, Washington, DC associate Noah Lebowitz, and New York City associates Kate Stack and Paul Dewey, all of the Project Finance & Public Finance practice.
- 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.
- 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
$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.
- Bond Buyer
New York State Thruway Authority sets $2.2 billion sale of PIT bonds
This article on the New York State Thruway Authority’s planned sale of $2.2 billion of personal income tax bonds mentions NP as co-bond counsel. The NP team advising on the bond sale includes New York City partners Chris Reitzel and Adam Gordon, counsel Abbie Olsen, and associates Georgia Sackey and Kate Stack; Rochester partner Barry Carrigan; Washington, DC partners Bruce Serchuk and Joel Swearingen; and Albany counsel Jeff Pohl, all of the Project Finance & Public Finance practice.July 11, 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
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 - The Bond Buyer
With budget in rearview, Cook County turns sights to borrowing plans
This article mentions the firm for serving as bond counsel to Cook County, IL, in its new money and refunding deals totaling about $600 million. The NP team included Chicago partner Julie Seymour, San Francisco partner Travis Gibbs and New York City counsel Abbie Olsen, all in the Project Finance & Public Finance group.Dec 22, 2020 - The Bond Buyer
New York State's over $2.1 PIT bond sale should see demand, analysts say
This article mentions the firm as co-bond counsel to Empire State Development Corporation’s scheduled issuance of PIT bonds on behalf of New York State in a competitive deal to fund capital projects, for the work by New York City partner Chris Reitzel, counsel Abbie Olsen and associates Adam Gordon and Kate Stack, and Washington, D.C. partner Bruce Serchuk and associate Joel Swearingen, all in the Project Finance & Public Finance group.Dec 14, 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
Admitted to practice
New York
Massachusetts
Education
Boston College Law School, J.D.
Georgetown University, B.A., cum laude
Professional activities
- New York State Bar Association, Member.
Recognition
- Selected, through a peer-review survey, for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 in the field of Public Finance Law; listed in Best Lawyers since 2023
- Best Lawyers in America® “Ones to Watch,” Municipal Law, New York, NY, 2022.
Professionals 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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