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Introduction
My focus
I serve as bond, co-bond counsel, disclosure counsel, special counsel, and underwriters’ counsel on a variety of tax-exempt and taxable municipal finance transactions, including those related to general municipal infrastructure, affordable housing and redevelopment, transportation, power generation and transmission, and water and wastewater services. I assist with preparing and reviewing a variety of documents as part of due diligence, drafting offerings and memoranda, and researching complex legal issues.
Looking ahead
With investors’ growing interest in investment opportunities that provide positive social benefits and remedy structural inequities—and especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting crises—I will be following the rise of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) bonds with a particular focus on social impact bonds. I look forward to working closely with our clients in exploring creative financing possibilities and preparing accurate disclosures to assist in achieving these social goals at the municipal level.
Insights
- “Municipal Finance & Issuance using Blockchain Technology,” Nixon Peabody Training, September 22, 2022 (Speaker)
In the news
- The Bond Buyer
Despite budget issues, California school deal generates strong orders
Oct 25, 2024This article mentions NP for serving as bond disclosure counsel in the West Contra Costa School District’s recent sale of $352 million of general obligation bonds. The NP team includes Project Finance & Public Finance partners Graham Beck of San Francisco, Rudy Salo of Los Angeles, and Joel Swearingen of Washington, DC; senior counsel Travis Gibbs of San Francisco; counsel Dia Walrath of San Francisco; associates Brandon Caywood of Chicago and Janelle Walker of San Francisco; and senior paralegal Stuart Clapp of Los Angeles.
- Bloomberg Law
Goldman pitches blockchain in sleepy municipal bond market
Feb 29, 2024This article discusses a new digital assets platform based on private-permissioned blockchain technology. The article references San Francisco Project Finance and Public Finance associate Janelle Walker’s “How blockchain could innovate municipal finance” alert. Janelle discusses how embedding blockchain in the municipal market could result in bonds being issued at a lower cost to both local agencies and investors by cutting out the need for certain third-party-completed tasks.
Admitted to practice
California
Education
University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings), J.D., CALI/Witkin Award for Academic Excellence in Contracts II and CALI/Witkin Award for Academic Excellence in Trial Advocacy
University of California, Irvine, B.A.
Professional activities
- 10,000 Degrees Advisory Board, Advisory Member
- 100 Black Men of Sonoma County, Associate Member
- California State Bar Association
- California Lawyers Association (CLA)
- National Association Bond Lawyers
- Women in Public Finance
- Sports Lawyers Association
- Charles Houston Bar Association
Recognition
- Selected, through a peer-review survey, for inclusion in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch 2025 in the field of Public Finance Law; listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch since 2024
- Named to the Lawyers of Color 2022 “Hot List,” recognizing junior and mid-level attorneys exemplifying integrity, high achievement, leadership, and a passion for diversity
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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