Introduction
Adam Gordon is a partner in Nixon Peabody’s Project Finance and Public Finance group. His practice concentrates on infrastructure, economic development, and project finance.
Adam serves as bond counsel, disclosure counsel, underwriters’ counsel, and bank counsel on tax-exempt and taxable bond issuances. He has worked on private activity, nonprofit, housing, transportation, pooled lending, waste management, and public power financings, and has written and published articles on public finance topics.
My focus
Economic Development
I have significant experience representing industrial development agencies and local development corporations in New York State, including the New York City Economic Development Corporation. In my economic development practice, I draft and negotiate leases, loan agreements, mortgages, bond indentures, PILOT documentation, escrow agreements, guaranties, and offering documents in connection with tax benefit transactions and conduit financings. My knowledge of the New York State Industrial Development Agency statutory framework has allowed me to assist with the development and implementation of new programs while helping my clients find solutions. I have often served as bond counsel and underwriters’ counsel on financings undertaken by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York and the Empire State Development Corporation for New York State economic development programs.
Transportation/Infrastructure
Much of my practice is devoted to transportation finance. As bond counsel to the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, I draft and review financing documents and manage and execute complex transactions. These include new money issuances, refundings, direct purchases, and remarketings. I have also served as special disclosure counsel to MTA and have experience coordinating the preparation and dissemination of disclosure materials in accordance with federal securities laws. In addition, I serve as bond counsel to New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority and have served as underwriters’ counsel for securities issued by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Bank Counsel
In my bank counsel practice, I often represent financial institutions issuing standby bond purchase agreements to support tax-exempt bonds in various sectors. I also have experience negotiating credit facilities and representing lenders in the direct purchase of privately placed debt.
Project Finance
I have worked on several high profile project financings in the capacity of bond counsel, underwriters’ counsel and borrowers’ counsel.
Representative experience
- Co-bond counsel to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in connection with the issuance of Transportation Revenue Bonds and bond anticipation notes, including the second transaction purchased by Municipal Liquidity Facility LLC
- Co-bond counsel to Empire State Development Corporation in connection with over $6 billion of state sales tax and personal income tax revenue bonds
- Project counsel to New York City Industrial Development Agency in connection with the acquisition, renovation, and equipping of facilities for life sciences, manufacturing, and commercial use
- Underwriter’s counsel in connection with a taxable bond financing for a 501(c)(3) corporation
- Bank counsel to numerous lenders in connection with the restructuring of a major health system’s variable rate debt
- Borrower’s counsel in connection with a project financing for a proton cancer treatment facility
- Represented a major financial institution in connection with a portfolio purchase of tax-exempt bonds
- Represents conduit issuers and borrowers across the country in taxable and tax-exempt financings
- Serves as a volunteer attorney for the Harlem Youth Court
Looking ahead
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought challenges that require creative and pragmatic solutions for our clients. I am closely following legislative efforts to provide new and expanded financing tools for state and local governments to help our clients navigate the pandemic. In addition, the pandemic has caused issuers of municipal securities to reevaluate disclosure practices, and I am actively monitoring guidance from the Securities and Exchange Commission.
I am also following developments with respect to the expected phase-out of LIBOR, which will impact trillions of dollars in outstanding loans and financial contracts.
/Insights
- “Transit Infrastructure Update,” The Bond Buyer Infrastructure Conference, September 18, 2024
- Panelist, “LIBOR is ending - Are you prepared for the transition?” NP Webinar, June 24, 2020
- “Suggested Best Practices for Municipal Issuers in Light of Recent Enforcement Trends,” Journal of Taxation and Regulation of Financial Institutions, Volume 24, Number 5, May/June 2011
In the news
- Law360
Nixon Peabody guides $365 million bond deal for United Nations Development Corp.
June 4, 2025This article features NP for representing United Nations Development Corp. in a $365 million bond deal for the renovation of two properties that are part of the United Nations Manhattan campus. The NP team is led by New York City Project Finance & Public Finance partner Adam Gordon and senior counsel Ken Lind. The team also included Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Lori Bowman and senior counsel Bruce Baker of Rochester and partner Dana Stanton of Albany; PBFN partner Roddy Devlin of New York City, counsel Jeff Pohl of Albany, and associate Paul Dewey of New York City; and Corporate partner Victor Milione of Boston. PBFN counsel Abbie Olsen of New York City, senior paralegals Beth Wood of Rochester and Pat McGovern of New York City, practice assistant CeeCee Levere, and Library & Research regional manager John Campbell also made valuable contributions.
- 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
The Bond Buyer’s Hall of Fame Class of 2024: Kenneth Lind
Sep 5, 2024New York City Project Finance & Public Finance senior counsel Ken Lind is profiled in this article, following The Bond Buyer’s announcement naming him as a member of the publication’s 2024 Hall of Fame class. The article highlights Ken’s 45-year career working on some of the country’s largest projects and developments as well as his local impact as a public servant. New York City partner and PBFN practice group leader Virginia Wong and partner Adam Gordon are also quoted on Ken’s reputation in the industry and at NP.
- IJGlobal
Rhode Island transit P3 starts phase 1
Jan 31, 2024This article, which covers the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) approving a contract with Next Wave Rhode Island Partners to design and build a new downtown Providence transit center, mentions NP for serving as RIPTA’s legal counsel. The NP team includes Providence partner and Construction & Real Estate Litigation practice leader Jeff Brenner, New York City Project Finance & Public Finance partners Roddy Devlin and Adam Gordon, New York City PBFN senior counsel Ken Lind, and Rochester Affordable Housing & Real Estate senior counsel Bruce Baker.
- The Bond Buyer
New York TBTA to sell green bonds backed by state’s payroll mobility tax
Jan 16, 2024This article covers the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority of New York’s plan to sell $300 million of tax-exempt green bonds, which will be used to finance transit and commuter projects in New York City. The article mentions NP for serving as bond counsel in the sale. The NP team includes New York City partners Liz Columbo and Adam Gordon, Washington, DC partner Carla Young, New York City senior counsel Ken Lind, and New York City associates Paul Dewey, Georgia Sackey, and Katharine Stack, all of the Project Finance & Public Finance practice.
- 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.
- The Bond Buyer
2022 Rising Stars: Adam Gordon
Nov 14, 2022New York City Project Finance & Public Finance partner Adam Gordon is profiled as one of the publication’s “2022 Rising Stars,” recognizing the next generation of municipal finance professionals. The article highlights Adam’s work as bond counsel for the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, and quotes New York City Project Finance & Public Finance partner Ken Lind on Adam’s success.
- 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 - Crain’s New York
People on the move
New York City Project Finance & Public Finance partner Adam Gordon was included in this roundup of notable executive news for his promotion to partner.Feb 5, 2021 - The Bond Buyer
Gordon and Turner-Bond Make Partner at Nixon Peabody
This article features New York partner-elect Adam Gordon and Los Angeles partner-elect Jade Turner-Bond, both of the Project Finance & Public Finance group, highlighting their Feb. 1 promotions to partner, their practice work, and their community involvement. Managing partner and CEO Andrew Glincher is quoted on the firm’s diverse pipeline of talent and the resilience of this year’s partner class.Jan 29, 2021 - 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
DASNY sells over $2.5B of PIT bonds; munis unchanged in face of large supply
This article on the state of the municipal bond market covers the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York’s sale of almost $2.5 billion of personal income tax receipt bonds. The firm is mentioned as bond counsel for the work by New York partners Chris Reitzel and Virginia Wong, and associates Adam Gordon and Kate Stack; Albany counsel Jeff Pohl; and Washington, D.C. partner Bruce Serchuk and associate Joel Swearingen, all of the Project Finance & Public Finance group.Oct 8, 2020
Admitted to practice
New York
New Jersey
Education
New York University School of Law, J.D., cum laude; Notes and Comments Editor, New York Law School Law Review, 2010–2011
Hamilton College, B.A., Government, cum laude
Professional activities
- National Association of Bond Lawyers
- The Municipal Forum of New York, Associate Board 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 2024
- Named to the 2022 list of “Rising Stars” by The Bond Buyer, recognizing the next generation of municipal finance professionals
Insights And Happenings
View AllProfessionals in the Practice Area
View AllVirginia Wong
Partner / Practice Group Leader, Project Finance & Public Finance- New York City
- Office:+1 212.940.3028
- vwong@nixonpeabody.com
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Julie K. Seymour
Partner / Lateral Recruiting Partner- Chicago
- Office:+1 312.977.4353
- jkseymour@nixonpeabody.com
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Scott R. Singer
Partner- New York City
- Office:+1 212.940.3182Mobile:+1 917.886.5967
- ssinger@nixonpeabody.com
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