BRADENTON, Fla. — Louisiana-based Adams and Reese LLP has promoted attorney Tracy Averett Morganti to head the firm's public finance team.
Morganti, a partner in the firm's Baton Rouge office, takes charge of 16 offices practicing public finance in seven states and Washington, D.C.
"I am honored and excited to lead our very talented Public Finance Team, which has extensive experience in every facet of municipal finance law representing issuers, underwriters, borrowers, bond purchasers and trustee banks," Morganti said in a statement Monday.
Morganti previously was a partner at Taylor, Porter, Brooks & Phillips LLP and the Long Law Firm LLP.
She joined Adams and Reese in 2007 working in a multifaceted practice concentrating in state, and local government, higher education, health care, and economic development financing, the firm said.
"Adams and Reese LLP is always exploring opportunities to expand our southeastern regional footprint, and our public finance, governmental relations and economic development practices will work hand-in-hand to expand our presence within that footprint, especially in the states of Florida and South Carolina," Morganti told The Bond Buyer.
Morganti serves as bond, issuer's, and underwriter's counsel, as well as letters of credit and purchaser's counsel to banks in connection with credit enhancement for taxable and tax-exempt bonds.
She also represents private companies, state and local government entities, and instrumentalities in the negotiation of public/private partnerships to promote business, industrial, and commercial economic projects.
"It is very rewarding to see the results of our Public Finance Team's hard work in bricks and mortar," Morganti said. "We have assisted in the financing of billions of dollars for hospitals, schools, roads, bridges, public buildings, utilities systems, and all types of for-profit and not-for-profit industrial and commercial facilities across the Southeastern United States."
Morganti received a bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University and a law degree from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center of Louisiana State University.
Her professional memberships include the Louisiana State Bar Association, the Baton Rouge Bar Association, and the National Association of Bond Lawyers.
Morganti is also is a founding member of the Louisiana Chapter of Women in Public Finance, where she currently serves on the board of directors.
The Louisiana Chapter of WIPF was approved by the national organization in July 2015 to foster the advancement of women in the public finance industry by providing mentorship and networking opportunities, she said. There are currently 27 members.
In addition to Louisiana, the Adams and Reese has public finance offices in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, as well as Washington, D.C.
In 2015, Adams and Reese ranked third out of the top five bond counsel firms in Louisiana working on deals valued at $167.5 million, according to statistics provided by Thomson Reuters.
