Jeffrey M. Pohl

My focus

I have worked on bond issuances for New York State issuers, such as the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), the Empire State Development Corporation, and the Environmental Facilities Corporations, and for local development corporations. These issuances include financings for the State of New York, 501(c)(3) organizations and local infrastructure projects. Included among these financings were bonds issued to finance projects using New York’s Property Assessed Clean Energy statute and financings structured as public private partnerships.

I advise public authorities on the development of policies and procedures pertaining to corporate governance, procurement, and the financing process (including the preparation of standard financing documents). Most recently, I advised a local public benefit corporation in connection with its first design-build procurement.

Prior to joining Nixon Peabody, I served as general counsel to DASNY, where I worked on financings for the state, hospitals, colleges, universities, and local governmental entities and drafted legislation for new financing programs. I advised DASNY regarding workouts involving financially distressed entities for which DASNY had issued tax-exempt debt. I was also involved in the provision of legal services relating to DASNY’s other operations, including procurement, litigation, construction, contract matters, and asset management. I also previously served as deputy counsel to the State Comptroller of New York, where I advised on matters pertaining to state and local finance, municipal law, and procurement.

Looking ahead

One challenge is assisting state and local governments in financing needed infrastructure without further burdening their limited financial resources. Another is helping not-for-profit and governmental entities develop affordable financing alternatives for deep energy efficiency and clean energy projects that will benefit the entity and assist the State in meeting its goals under the New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

Representative experience

• “Sustainable Project Finance and Development Opportunities for Higher Education,” DASNY Virtual Roundtable, 2020. (Presenter/panelist)
• “Restructuring, Workouts and Bankruptcy,” Bond Buyer's 3rd Annual Healthcare, Higher Education, and Cultural Institution Super Conference, 2011. (Presenter/panelist)
• “Legal Services Procurement Opportunities in the State of New York,” Governor David A. Paterson’s E.O. 10 MWBE Task Force, 2009. (Presenter/panelist)