CHICAGO — Veteran Chicago-based bond attorney William Corbin made the jump to Chapman and Cutler LLP from Perkins Coie LLP earlier this month, returning to the firm where he began his career.
Corbin rejoined Chicago-based Chapman as a partner in its Illinois public finance group. He began his career there and stayed for 17 years, including nine as a partner, before leaving to join Gardner, Carton & Douglas as a partner. He later moved over to the now-defunct Altheimer & Gray, and later the Seattle-based Perkins Coie.
Corbin has long-standing relationships with most major Chicago-area local governments and major state-related borrowers. He has worked in the roles of bond counsel, underwriter’s counsel and in the growing field of disclosure counsel. His practice also extends to the not-for-profit community, including housing, student loan, higher education and cultural institutions’ bond issues.
Corbin said it wasn’t dissatisfaction with his practice at Perkins Coie that led him back to Chapman. “It was really the opportunity to come back to work with many of the people I began my career with and to work at a firm with such a broad public finance platform,” as well as one where public finance is a primary business, he said.
“We are thrilled to have Bill’s time, talents and contacts back at Chapman. Given Bill’s level of experience, he will add immediate value to our group, which consists of nine partners and nine associates,” said Kelly Kost, partner and head of the Illinois group.
The nearly 100-year-old firm has a total of 220 attorneys with offices in Chicago, New York City, Salt Lake City, San Francisco and the District of Columbia.
Chapman ranks first among bond counsel so far this year in Illinois after finishing second last year, compared to Perkins in 10th place this year and 19th last year, according to Thomson Reuters.
In the Midwest, Chapman ranks fourth so far this as bond counsel and finished second last year. Perkins Coie ranks 21st so far this year and finished 54th last year.
Nationally, Chapman ranks 14th so far this year as a bond counsel and finished 10th last year. Perkins Coie ranks 74th so far this year and finished 219th last year.
