Trending Topics
Introduction
Dia Walrath serves as bond counsel, disclosure counsel, and underwriter’s counsel on matters related to the issuance of tax-exempt and taxable municipal securities. Prior to joining Nixon Peabody, Dia served as a legislative aide in the United States Senate and was a member of the U.S. Senate Black Legislative Staff Caucus.
My focus
My practice primarily assists states, cities, counties, school districts, airport authorities, transportation authorities, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits to achieve their refunding and capital improvement financing needs. I serve issuers and borrowers by drafting legal documents for general obligation bonds, certificates of participation, commercial paper, Mello-Roos financings, lease revenue bonds, and other various types of debt financing documents. I also advise clients in securities law disclosure compliance. Once our work is complete and projects are underway, I am energized by the direct positive impacts I see in my community.
Education
I support school and community college districts with their capital needs to construct, maintain, and improve school facilities for the benefit of students.
I regularly assist districts in managing their bond programs, including providing guidance on the election process under Proposition 39 or 46 and the related restrictions, compliance with continuing disclosure obligations, the administration of Citizen’s Oversight Committees, compliance with the Brown Act, and other statutory and regulatory requirements that impact their debt issuances.
Innovative financings
I enjoy working on innovative offerings in public and project finance. This includes serving as counsel to an investment bank on the financing of a project that repurposed rice straw to produce medium density fiberboard for manufacturing. I also served as disclosure counsel on a unique bond program utilizing a tax credit to address homelessness and mental illness in California. I assist private and public sector parties in financing, operating, and maintaining infrastructure projects, particularly in the transportation sector.
Looking ahead
As market volatility continues to challenge the municipal market, an issuer’s financial condition and projections will face hurdles in maintaining accuracy and may be under increased scrutiny. I look forward to working closely with my clients in evaluating alternative financing and borrowing mechanisms to achieve their goals and crafting clear, accurate disclosures to keep investors properly informed.
Insights
- “Critical Factors for Moving a P3 Forward,” Transportation Infrastructure Summit, San Diego, CA, June 26, 2024
- “K-12 Education: Addressing the Challenges,” The Bond Buyer California Public Finance Conference, October 19, 2023
- “Finding a balance: Ethics around social media for attorneys,” Nixon Peabody Annual MCLE Seminar, San Francisco, January 2018
In the news
- The Bond Buyer
Nixon Peabody elevates public finance attorneys
April 18, 2024This article features the recent promotions of Chicago partner Gretchen Sherwood, San Francisco counsel Dia Walrath, and New York City counsel Sebastian Torres, all of the Project Finance & Public Finance practice. Gretchen, Dia, and Sebastian are quoted in the coverage discussing the focus of their practices. The article also quotes Managing Partner and CEO Steve Zubiago and Providence partner and Chief Talent Officer Stacie Collier on how the new partner and counsel classes exemplify NP’s purpose and how these attorneys have blazed their own trails within the firm.
- Proximo Infra
JFK Terminal 1 partially wrapped bond refinancing prices
Dec 6, 2023This article covering a $2 billion tax-exempt bond issuance related to a new terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport mentions NP for serving as underwriter’s counsel for Citigroup Global Markets in the transaction. The NP team includes New York City partner and Project Finance & Public Finance practice group leader Virginia Wong, partner Chris Reitzel, senior counsel Ken Lind, and associates Georgia Sackey, Greg Hom, and Paul Dewey; and San Francisco associate Dia Walrath, all of the PBFN practice.
- The Bond Buyer
Where Asian Americans in public finance go, others hope to follow
Oct 26, 2023Los Angeles Project Finance & Public Finance partner Jade Turner-Bond is quoted in this article highlighting recent diversity efforts in California’s municipal bond industry. Jade is recognized for her work to help relaunch the African Americans in Public Finance affinity group and discusses lessons learned from her tenure on the Women in Public Finance Board of Directors. The article also mentions Los Angeles PBFN partner Angelica Valencia as the Vice President for Programming for Latinos in Public Finance, and San Francisco PBFN associate Dia Walrath as a member of the African Americans in Public Finance affinity group.
- Bond Buyer
JFK's new Terminal One will look to bond marketing for long-term financing
This article covering financing for John F. Kennedy International Airport’s new Terminal One, including plans to tap the municipal bond market for future phases of the project, mentions NP for serving as underwriter counsel representing Citi. The NP team involved in the project includes New York City partners Chris Reitzel, Virginia Wong, Ken Lind, and Roddy Devlin, and associates Kate Stack of New York and Dia Walrath of San Francisco, all of the Project Finance & Public Finance groupJune 17, 2022
Admitted to practice
California
Education
University of California, Davis School of Law, J.D., Witkin Award for Academic Excellence in Housing Law
Kalamazoo College, B.A., magna cum laude
Professional activities
- Nixon Peabody Black Resource Group, Associate Chair
- Nixon Peabody Pro Bono Committee
- National Black Lawyers
- AIDS Legal Referral Panel (ALRP), Board Member
Recognition
- Selected, through a peer-review survey, for inclusion in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch 2025 in the field of Public Finance Law; listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch since 2024
Languages
French
Insights And Happenings
View AllProfessionals in the Practice Area
View AllVirginia Wong
Partner / Practice Group Leader, Project Finance and Public Finance- New York
- Office:+1 212.940.3028
- vwong@nixonpeabody.com
-
Julie K. Seymour
Partner / Strategic Impact Partner- Chicago
- Office:+1 312.977.4353
- jkseymour@nixonpeabody.com
-
Scott R. Singer
Partner- New York
- Office:+1 212.940.3182Mobile:+1 917.886.5967
- ssinger@nixonpeabody.com
-
