Ballard Spahr named Emilie R. Ninan as chair of its public finance department.
Ninan has been with Ballard since 2007 and has focused on economic development through financing of educational institutions, utility systems, manufacturing, affordable housing, and health care facilities, Mark Stewart, the firm's chair, said in a statement Tuesday.
"Public finance is a core strength of the firm and a growth area in the legal industry," Stewart said. "Emilie's legal acumen and managerial skill, coupled with her understanding of the firm and its clients, ensures that we will continue to provide unmatched service."
Ninan has been a member of the firm's partner compensation committee and previously served as managing partner of the firm's Delaware office. In her new role, she will oversee national strategy and administration for the department, which has more than 50 lawyers in offices across the country. She succeeds William C. Rhodes, who has served as chair of the department for five years and has returned to his active legal practice.
"Whether infrastructure, tax credits, education, housing or health care—we are well-positioned to play a leading role in the national development priorities of the new presidential administration, as we have in the past," Ninan said. "The lawyers in our group are at the top of their game, working on economic development projects of national and local significance. They're also terrific people and I'm delighted to continue working with them in this new role."
Ninan has served as bond counsel, underwriter's counsel, borrower's counsel, issuer's counsel, or trustee's counsel on a wide variety of municipal bond financings. In addition to her public finance practice, Ninan represents corporate, banking, government, and nonprofit clients in commercial and real estate lending matters, contract negotiation, and other finance transactions. She also advises on Uniform Commercial Code matters and delivers formal legal opinions in connection with various business transactions.
