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    1. Home
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    3. Michael Melzer

      People
    1. Home
    2. People
    3. Michael Melzer

      People

    Michael Melzer

    Partner


    • Chicago
    • Office+1 312.977.4151
    • mmelzer@nixonpeabody.com
    • Download vCard
    • LinkedIn Profile

    Introduction

    Michael Melzer represents state and local governments, nonprofit entities, developers and other eligible tax-advantaged borrowers, leading investment banks and large institutional investors on project and public finance matters. He counsels his clients on associated regulatory requirements and assists with enforcement actions and other compliance matters.

    Practice Areas

    Public FinanceProject FinanceBank CounselStadiums, Arenas & Convention CentersSenior Housing & CareTransportation FacilitiesPublic-Private Partnerships (P3)

    /My focus

    I have very broad project and public finance experience having assisted with raising over $85 billion across more than a thousand taxable and tax-exempt debt financing transactions for borrowers and projects in 29 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, and Washington DC. While I have experience with virtually every sector within the public finance space, my primary areas of focus include general government, public power, energy and utilities, transportation (including airports, harbors, highways, and passenger rail), education, healthcare, senior living, economic development, hotels, and sports and convention facilities.

    I’ve served as bond counsel to almost every major issuer of municipal debt in the States of Hawaii and Illinois as well as counsel in varying capacities to other states and state agencies and many of the largest cities, counties, airports and airport systems, and public power authorities in the country. In addition to my traditional public finance work, I’ve worked on several of the largest and most high profile public-private partnership (P3) transactions including, but not limited to, large scale high-speed rail developments in Florida, California, and Nevada at an estimated total aggregate cost of over $15 billion; three major airport terminal development and redevelopment projects with a total aggregate cost of over $14 billion; energy-as-a-service (EaaS) and energy service company (ESCO) financings in varying fields across four states; creation and implementations of an economic development plan projected to drive over $8 billion in local development; the expansion of a privately operated managed lane tollway; a marque hotel and resort development as well as parking and sewer privatizations.

    In addition to my transactional finance work I’ve also assisted with the drafting or modification of dozens of state statutes and constitutional provisions and the successful defense of IRS audits and FINRA, SEC, and SIGTARP enforcement actions.

    I view the diversity of my experience across the project and public finance space as a strong asset that provides an uncommonly large knowledge base to draw upon when approaching complex challenges and enables me to deliver practical, impactful solutions.

    /Looking ahead

    The prolonged aftermath of the 2008 recession, an aging population and the wide-ranging fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic have created significant challenges for many tax-advantaged borrowers, which have been further exacerbated by the recent introduction of uncertainty surrounding the availability, reliability, and sufficiency of future federal funding. These disruptive events have compounded upon each other, coupling a substantial backlog of deferred but necessary capital investment while introducing significant additonal capital demands—including enhanced accessibility, and emergency and pandemic preparedness and resiliency (particularly in relation to supply chains). Further delays in addressing these critical investments risk customer or constituent flight, risking further funding impairment. Together, these represent serious, novel challenges that will likely require innovative, thoughtful financing solutions.

    /In the news

    • The Bond Buyer

      Nixon Peabody adds municipal talent amid market turmoil

      This roundup of recent moves across the industry includes the NP arrival of Chicago Project Finance & Public Finance partner Mike Melzer. Mike is quoted in the coverage, discussing what attracted him to NP.

      April 22, 2025
    • Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

      CDLB people

      This roundup article of recent legal industry news in Chicago highlights the NP arrival of Chicago Project Finance & Public Finance partner Mike Melzer.

      March 31, 2025
    • Crain’s Chicago Business

      People on the move

      This article highlights the NP arrival of Chicago Project Finance & Public Finance partner Mike Melzer.

      March 21, 2025
    • The Bond Buyer

      Michael Melzer joins Nixon Peabody as partner

      This article highlights the NP arrival of Chicago Project Finance & Public Finance partner Mike Melzer. Mike is quoted in the coverage, discussing what attracted him to NP. New York City partner and PBFN practice group leader Virginia Wong and Chicago Office Managing Partner Dave Brown are also quoted in the coverage.

      March 14, 2025
    • Proximo

      Nixon Peabody adds public finance partner in Chicago

      The following article covers the NP arrival of Chicago Project Finance & Public Finance partner Mike Melzer.

      March 13, 2025
    • Bloomberg Law |

      Nixon Peabody taps Michael Melzer as project finance partner

      The following article covers the NP arrival of Chicago Project Finance & Public Finance partner Mike Melzer.

      March 12, 2025
    • Partnerships Bulletin

      P3 attorney joins Nixon Peabody

      The following article covers the NP arrival of Chicago Project Finance & Public Finance partner Mike Melzer.

      March 12, 2025
    • Politico

      Illinois playbook

      The following article covers the NP arrival of Chicago Project Finance & Public Finance partner Mike Melzer.

      March 12, 2025

    /Admitted to practice

    Illinois

    /Education

    University of Michigan Law School, J.D.
    Northern Illinois University, B.A.

    /Professional activities

    • American College of Bond Counsel, Fellow
    • National Association of Bond Lawyers
    • Illinois State Bar Association

    /Recognition

    • Chambers Band 1: Public Finance – Illinois
    • Super Lawyers “Rising Star” in Government Finance 2020-2024

    Professionals in the Practice Area

    View All
    • Virginia Wong

      Partner / Practice Group Leader, Project Finance & Public Finance
      • New York City
      • Office:+1 212.940.3028
      • vwong@nixonpeabody.com
      Virginia Wong
    • Julie K. Seymour

      Partner / Lateral Recruiting Partner
      • Chicago
      • Office:+1 312.977.4353
      • jkseymour@nixonpeabody.com
      Julie K. Seymour
    • Daniel M. Deaton

      Partner
      • Los Angeles
      • Office:+1 213.629.6050
      • ddeaton@nixonpeabody.com
      Daniel M. Deaton
    • Scott R. Singer

      Partner
      • New York City
      • Office:+1 212.940.3182
        Mobile:+1 917.886.5967
      • ssinger@nixonpeabody.com
      Scott R. Singer
    • Jade E. Turner-Bond

      Partner
      • Los Angeles
      • Office:+1 213.629.6141
      • jturnerbond@nixonpeabody.com
      Jade E. Turner-Bond
    View All

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