Law360, The Bond Buyer and American Lawyer Media’s The Daily Report were among the outlets covering the arrival of Atlanta partner Isaac Yilma, who joined McGuireWoods’ public finance practice June 13, 2022.
Yilma advises local governments and underwriters on financings for infrastructure, affordable housing and economic development projects. He told Law360 that the combined capabilities of McGuireWoods’ public finance practice and McGuireWoods Consulting’s public affairs team provides clients with significant strategic advantages.
“I think we’re in a unique position to deliver to our public sector clients innovative financing techniques and solutions that, combined with our deep relationships, I think is going to be a really strong joint effort on the part of both the finance and the public affairs teams to grow and expand our presence in the Southeast,” Yilma said.
Yilma added that local governments are seeking clear guidance in financing infrastructure, schools, stadiums, civic centers and affordable housing, particularly since the pandemic.
“They want creativity and innovation, that’s what McGuireWoods has,” he said.
Yilma told The Daily Report that he was drawn to McGuireWoods by the firm’s strong Atlanta presence and the reputation of its public finance practice.
“They’ve been a leader in the public finance market for several decades and I know that the firm is committed to expanding the public finance practice in the U.S. and particularly the Southeast,” Yilma said.
Kay McNab, chair of McGuireWoods’ public finance practice, said in an interview with The Bond Buyer that Yilma’s practice complements the firm’s existing strengths in areas such as affordable housing, infrastructure and economic development.
“So, we’re excited to see the work that he brings into the firm, but also having him working with our other really highly skilled practitioners in these spaces,” McNab said.
News of Yilma’s arrival at McGuireWoods also appeared in Reuters’ legal newsletter The Daily Docket, Bloomberg Law’s Wake Up Call column, Project Finance International and Corporate Counsel Business Journal.