The complexity and diversity of bond projects demands expertise beyond legal knowledge. Our attorneys have broad experience in a variety of bond issues and a long track record of successful representation.

Since 1980, Varnum has been listed in the Bond Buyer's Municipal Marketplace (the “Red Book”), and several of the firm's attorneys are members of the National Association of Bond Lawyers. We couple our significant bond counsel experience in traditional governmental bonds, small issue private activity bonds, and 501(c)(3) bonds with careful attention to detail.

Governmental Bond Financing

Our attorneys have acted as bond counsel for municipal clients in traditional municipal financing for water, sewer, street, and energy improvement projects, as well as financing for other physical facilities and equipment purchases. These projects have involved general obligation, building authority, special assessment, transportation fund, tax increment, revenue and refunding bonds. We have served as bond counsel in the issuance of bonds supported by tax increment revenues for downtown development authorities, tax increment finance authorities and local development finance authorities.

Educational Entities

We have served as bond counsel for school districts and community colleges in financing energy conservation improvements and other capital projects. We have also represented school districts issuing building and site bonds qualified with the Michigan School Bond Loan Program, and are familiar with the state officials involved in that program. We have also served as bond counsel for the issuance of school refunding bonds, tax anticipation notes, state aid notes and equipment financings.

State of Michigan

We have acted in various capacities (including bond counsel, underwriter's counsel, credit enhancer's counsel and obligor's counsel) in tax-exempt and taxable financings by and through numerous state agencies such as the Michigan Department of Treasury, the State Building Authority and the State Hospital Finance Authority.

Private Activity Bond Financing

The firm is approved as bond counsel for the Michigan Strategic Fund for purposes of financing manufacturing facilities and facilities for 501(c)(3) organizations. The firm has also acted as bond counsel to numerous West Michigan municipalities and economic development corporations in private activity bond issues.

Representation

In addition to serving as bond counsel, the firm has also represented bond purchasers, letter of credit banks, borrowers and bond obligors in more than 100 other tax-exempt financing transactions. The bond purchasers for these issues have included individuals, institutional investors, underwriters, and other investment funds. We have also served as underwriter's counsel for small issue private activity bonds and Section 501(c)(3) bonds.