Mintz Levin Continues Growth of Public Finance Practice with IRS Enforcement Expert Jeremy A. Spector
7/2/2007
New York, NY - Jerry Spector, a nationally recognized expert in public finance tax law and a former Partner with Blank Rome LLP, has joined the New York office of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. as a Member in the firm's Public Finance Section.
Prior to joining Mintz Levin, Mr. Spector was the head of Blank Rome's public finance tax law practice. In addition to his general expertise in the federal tax laws related to tax exempt bonds, Mr. Spector has a particular expertise in counseling issuers, borrowers, bondholders, bond trustees, underwriters and bond counsel before the IRS concerning audits, enforcement actions and voluntary compliance agreements. He advises clients on a range of tax issues in public finance transactions, including derivative products and ruling requests in all sectors including infrastructure finance, housing, industrial development and healthcare. His clients have included state and local governments, agencies and authorities, non-profit corporations, institutional investors, service providers, bond trustees and underwriters.
Mintz Levin's public finance practice is nationally recognized for its quality, breadth and high commitment to client service. The practice, made up of more than 20 professionals in the firm's Boston, New York and Washington offices, represents bond issuers, underwriters, institutional investors, borrowers, trustees and credit enhancers in various industries including health care, senior housing, manufacturing, museums, hotels, airlines and human service providers across the country. For 2006, The Bond Buyer ranked Mintz Levin fifth among bond counsel in the Northeast Region, with a total dollar volume of $4.359 billion. The practice has been involved in numerous high profile transactions including the New York City Industrial Development Agency's sale of $967 million in bonds for a new stadium for the Yankees - a deal recognized by The Bond Buyer as "Deal of the Year".
"Mintz Levin has established an outstanding reputation for handling complex and innovative public finance transactions, both in New York and nationally," said Richard H. Moche, Manager of the Public Finance section. "Jerry's experience in helping clients navigate the intricate IRS process for an audit of tax exempt bonds and his ability to efficiently develop strategies for concluding the audit in a way that meets the client's needs, will be particularly helpful. Combining Jerry's expertise with our colleague Mike Solet's years of experience and familiarity with the IRS will allow us to offer an even greater breadth and depth of services to clients, most particularly in the areas of enforcement and compliance."
Over the course of his career, Mr. Spector has handled more than 2,500 transactions with an aggregate dollar volume greater than $75 billion. These include representation of: an issuer in an IRS audit of pool bonds, financially distressed states and cities in the federal tax aspects of billions of dollars of tax-exempt working capital financings, as well as state issuers on the federal tax aspects of tax-exempt financings for first-time homebuyers and developers of residential rental projects.
Mr. Spector presently serves as Vice Chair of the American Bar Association's (ABA) Tax Exempt Financing Committee (2007-2009) after completing a three-year term on the faculty of the National Association of Bond Lawyers (NABL) Bond Attorneys' Workshop. Because of his extensive involvement in NABL and the ABA, Mr. Spector regularly submits comments to the IRS on proposed regulations involving tax exempt bonds. In 2006 he was elected as a Regular Fellow of the American College of Bond Counsel. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel. He is a frequent lecturer and has authored numerous articles on public finance tax law.
Mr. Spector holds a Masters of Law degree in taxation from New York School of Law, a law degree from the University of Miami School of Law, and a Master of Business Adminstration degree in accounting and finance from New York University Graduate School of Business. He graduated cum laude from Brandeis University with a degree in politics. He is admitted to practice in New York, New Jersey, Florida and Pennsylvania and maintains his accreditation as a Certified Public Accountant.
Mintz Levin is an AmLaw 100 law firm with offices in the US and the UK. The firm has exceptional depth in a broad range of practice areas, but our clients recognize that what sets us apart from other law firms is our industry focus. By truly understanding business drivers and industry trends, we are able to provide our clients with more than just legal advice. We provide legal solutions to our clients' business issues. Since 1933, our lawyers have represented entrepreneurs, emerging growth companies, government agencies, and leaders in primary industries that include Life Sciences/Biotechnology; Technology & Communications; Energy & Clean Technology; Financial Services & Insurance; Healthcare; Real Estate, Hospitality & Construction; and Retail & Consumer Products. Our practical knowledge combined with our industry expertise enables us to provide our clients with enterprise legal advice that gives their business a competitive advantage in the marketplace. For detailed information on the firm we invite you to visit www.mintz.com.
