McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP continued its public finance practice expansion with the addition of Jonathan Ballan as a partner in the New York office.
With nearly 30 years of experience, Ballan will head the New York public finance group and will also co-chair the firm’s global infrastructure and public-private partnerships practice.
“I’m very excited to have been selected by McKenna Long to help in an area of such vital importance to the growth of the firm, and I look forward to working with all the talented professionals here to accomplish those goals,” Ballan said.
He joins the firm after working for over 11 years at Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo where he lead and developed the firm’s New York public finance practice.
Ballan, who started at the firm on Wednesday, said joining McKenna provided a great opportunity for him to help expand in an area of importance to the firm.
“It’s an opportunity to take a great firm that has started to grow in New York, and to help take it to the next step, by growing a New York-based bond practice, and a nationwide infrastructure and P3 practice, which will overlap with the growth of the national bond practice, and the existing outstanding bond department located in Atlanta,” Ballan said. “And to do so with people who I’ve known for over two decades.”
Ballan has known and worked with partners William S. Plunkett Jr., Charles “Trip” Dorkey, and
“Jon’s addition demonstrates the firm’s commitment to expanding our public finance group, as well as the New York office,” said New York executive partner Gordon Giffin. “His deep experience in varied areas of public finance is an exceptional complement to our firm’s focus on the intersection of government and business.”
Ballan has experience in municipal infrastructure finance, public authority finance, economic development, housing financing, and project finance. He has taken leadership roles in several innovative financings, including serving as lead bond attorney for the New York Yankees on the financings for the new Yankees stadium, and lead bond counsel on the Barclays Center financing. He also developed the Liberty Bond Program in New York City.
“I think the need to develop our infrastructure here in this country will force us to find creative ways to finance that infrastructure, and that’s one of the areas where I want to be, and that’s where McKenna will be,” Ballan said. “We will use our talent throughout the firm not only in public finance, but in areas of law that are related to public finance, including tax and government relations, to help our clients.”
Ballan currently serves on the board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York and is a member of the Audit, Finance, Commuter Rails, and Bridge and Tunnel Committees. In the past, he has chaired the Municipal Assistance Corporation, the Public Asset Fund, and on the board of trustees the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation. Ballan said that serving on these boards helps him to understand the issues faced by governmental clients.
“I think my public service enables me as a bond attorney to better serve my clients since I truly understand form the inside how complex governmental entities work.” Ballan said.
He earned his bachelor’s degree from Williams College, and his law degree from George Washington University National Law Center.
Along with the addition of Ballan, McKenna Long also announced that it has added Rob Senzer as counsel. He also joins from Mintz Levin where he worked with Ballan.
The firm said the addition of Ballan and Senzer aligns with its plan for increasing and diversifying services for its clients in New York, as well as the Northeast region. Earlier this year, the firm also brought on corporate and private client services partner Tony Williams and former New York State Senator, Craig Johnson earlier this year, as well as Dick Sigal.
McKenna Long now has around 12 public finance attorneys, primarily in New York and Atlanta, as well as in Washington, D.C.
