Mark O. Norell—a prominent member of the tax-exempt bond financing bar with over 20 years of experience handling transactions for various government, nonprofit, and private-sector clients—has joined Ballard Spahr as a partner in New York, firm Chair Mark Stewart announced today.
Representing issuers, borrowers, nonprofits, and other clients, Mr. Norell has an exceptionally broad range of experience. He has handled the tax aspects of financings for numerous general-purpose governmental issuers, municipal utility systems (public power, wastewater treatment), health care systems, educational institutions, transportation centers, manufacturing facilities, and other significant public infrastructure projects. He has considerable experience with quasi-governmental organizations governed by Section 115 of the Internal Revenue Code as well as various 501(c) and other nonprofit entities. He comes to the firm from Norton Rose Fulbright in New York, where he served as Senior Counsel.
“Mark has a national reputation for skillful handling of exceptionally technical and complex tax matters,” said Mr. Stewart. “Our Public Finance Department prides itself on offering a sophisticated level of service to our clients, and Mark’s background and depth of knowledge will be an immediate benefit.”
Mr. Norell has represented clients in administrative proceedings before the IRS and other government agencies. He also advises on matters involving workouts, interest rate swaps, and hedges. He has counseled clients on tax credit matters, Federal Housing Administration-insured financings, debt portfolio restructuring, contingent payment, and reissuance regulations.
“Mark is a thoughtful, experienced tax lawyer who fits in well with our practice, and is at the forefront of cutting-edge issues in tax-exempt financing,” said Emilie Ninan, Chair of the firm’s Public Finance Department. “He brings a wealth of experience and shares our commitment to client service and supporting our clients’ strategic business objectives.”
Mr. Norell joins a national public finance department that has participated in the issuance of more than $1 trillion of tax-exempt obligations in every U.S. state and territory, as well as the District of Columbia, and in 2017 earned Public Finance Law Firm of the Year honors from U.S. News & World Report – Best Lawyers.
“We have been waiting for the right opportunity to enhance our New York market presence with a public finance practice, and Mark’s arrival comes at the perfect time,” said Denise Plunkett, co-Managing Partner of the New York office. “Mark has deep knowledge of the industry, and the relationships he has cultivated will present new opportunities for us and our clients.”
Mr. Norell serves as Vice Chair of the Committee on Tax-Exempt Financing of the American Bar Association (ABA). He is a frequent lecturer on the taxation of municipal bonds, has served as the lead draftsperson on National Association of Bond Lawyers (NABL) and ABA Comment Letter projects, and was editor-in-chief of the NABL’s Federal Taxation of Municipal Bonds.
“Ballard Spahr has one of the premiere public finance departments in the country, and I am eager to continue building the practice in New York,” said Mr. Norell. “My philosophy always has been to balance aggressive analysis with a solid legal foundation in order to better advise clients, and I’m thrilled to join a firm with such a keen focus on client service and fostering a collaborative culture.”
Source: www.ballardspahr.com
