Washington, DC, partner Jeff Lesk is as a nationally recognized finance attorney. He works with investors, lenders, sponsors, developers and other private and public industry stakeholders to finance high-impact, socially oriented community developments.
I’ve spent most of my career creating and implementing large-scale investment programs, primarily public-private partnerships. I advise financial institutions and other corporate investors in transactions that bring much-needed capital to privately developed affordable housing and other community developments—under the framework and support of publicly sponsored programs. I love the challenge of bridging seemingly impossible gaps between these worlds, working with and developing new financing tools and programs that meet the goals of sophisticated investors.
I’m proud to be a founder and leader of NP’s Legally Green® initiative. It’s been rewarding to integrate my long-standing personal pledge to the environment into my substantive legal practice. As a LEED AP, my participation on local and national advisory boards such as Conservation International, have helped further the firm’s commitment to sustainability. Through my role on the board of the firm’s conference company IPED, Inc., I also have served as a co-chair of the Affordable Housing Summit at USGBC’s Greenbuild®, the world’s largest conference and expo dedicated to green building.
I frequently lecture at local universities and law schools on community development and green building, and I’m on the national speaking circuit for trade association meetings, industry events and seminars. While sharing my technical knowledge, experience and perspective, I stay current and learn from others, especially students who ask tough questions and spark discussions well beyond the legal field.
The current political and economic environment is creating even bigger challenges for investors and developers of affordable housing and community development. I see big changes in the number and mechanisms for public financial support of community development. We have an opportunity to help shape the future by leveraging existing programs and financial resources to do more with less.
Bisnow | October 01, 2018
Washington DC Office Managing Partner Colette Dafoe and Community Development Finance partner Jeff Lesk are mentioned in this story about the DCSolar project, which began on Nixon Peabody’s rooftop and has expanded throughout the District.
Solar Power World | July 11, 2018
Washington DC partner Jeff Lesk and senior counsel Herb Stevens, both of the Community Development Finance Group, are mentioned in this story after NPSolar was named Community/Shared Renewables Project of the Year by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.
Washington Post | May 11, 2018
Nixon Peabody’s pro bono solar panel project is featured in this article. Washington DC tax credit finance and syndication partner Jeff Lesk and senior counsel Herb Stevens are quoted throughout this feature which highlights how this first-of-its-kind project benefits low-income residents in the DC community.
ABA Journal | May 11, 2018
Washington DC partner Jeff Lesk and senior counsel Herb Stevens are mentioned in this article about the NP Solar program, which uses solar panels placed atop DC-area buildings to produce electricity and cost savings for low-income residents.
Energy & Environmental News | May 11, 2018
Nixon Peabody’s pro bono solar panel project is featured in this trade publication for energy and environment professionals. Washington, DC tax credit finance and syndication senior counsel Herb Stevens is quoted and partner Jeff Lesk is mentioned.
Sol Systems | September 22, 2017
This article is about a partnership between Sol Systems and New Partners Community Solar Corp., a nonprofit founded by Washington DC tax credit finance and syndication partners Jeff Lesk and Herb Stevens, to monetize solar renewable energy credits from the community solar project in DC.
The National Law Journal | August 27, 2017
This article features the Washington, DC office’s solar program and mentions partners Jeff Lesk and Herb Stevens, who manage grants for the firm’s nonprofit New Partners Community Solar Corp.
Bisnow | April 05, 2017
This Q&A with Washington DC office managing partner Jeff Lesk is about the future of affordable housing and community development amid looming tax reforms and potential cuts to federal programs. Click here to read the full article.
NBC4 Washington | March 15, 2017
Washington DC office managing partner Jeff Lesk and chief innovation officer Herb Stevens were interviewed in this broadcast news segment about a green bank that could be created to help finance environmentally friendly projects similar to the solar panels installed on our DC office building.
Tax Credit Advisor | March 01, 2017
Washington, DC office managing partner Jeff Lesk and chief innovation officer Herb Stevens are featured in this article about the Washington, DC office’s Community Solar project.
Bisnow | December 22, 2016
Washington DC office managing partner Jeff Lesk is quoted in this feature story about DC’s first large-scale downtown commercial Community Solar project on the roof of Nixon Peabody’s Washington DC office. This article focuses on the innovation and uniqueness of the NP Solar project.
American Lawyer | October 31, 2016
Washington DC office managing partner Jeffrey Lesk is quoted in this article discussing how new office space can be an exercise in change management for many law firms.
University of Arizona College of Law, J.D.
Stanford University, B.A.
District of Columbia
Jeff has received an AV Preeminent® Peer Review RatingTM from Martindale Hubbell®, the highest possible rating for ethics and legal ability.
