Mark has over twenty years of experience in municipal finance, taxation and project finance law, with particular knowledge in a wide variety of public financings, the majority of which have been for Florida issuers, including Miami-Dade, Palm Beach County, Hillsborough County, the South Florida Water Management District, the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County, Lakeland, Lake Worth, Punta Gorda and the Town of Palm Beach, Florida. Mark has participated in transactions involving the use of interest rate swaps, options, various forms of credit enhancement, commercial paper programs and forward contracts. In connection with recent efforts to deregulate the electric utility industry, Mark has provided advice to municipal utilities as to the impact of open access on existing and future tax-exempt financing of transmission and power generation facilities. Mark's experience as bond counsel also includes Shelby County (Memphis), Tennessee, Craven County, North Carolina, the Rhode Island Health and Educational Building Corporation and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Mark has served as counsel to banks, underwriters, governmental entities and mutual funds. Mark served as underwriters' counsel for the first internet offering (on a negotiated sale basis) of the State of Tennessee, and has provided advice to the Comptroller of the State of Tennessee in connection with the promulgation of the State's "Guidelines for Interest Rate and Forward Purchase Agreements." Mr. Adams has worked on financings for Memphis International, Palm Beach International and Miami International Airports.
Notable Experience
· Mark served as Bond Counsel for $546,120,000 South Florida Water Management District Certificates of Participation, Series 2006, which was the largest certificate of participation transaction in Florida history; the first COP deal issued to finance environmental restoration and the recipient of The Bond Buyer's national "Deal of the Year" Award.
· He was a member of the team that successfully caused the Florida Supreme Court to reverse itself on rehearing in Strand v. Escambia County.
· He served as Disclosure Counsel for the $600 million Miami-Dade County, Florida Aviation Revenue Bonds, Series 2007 (Miami International Airport) (Hub of the Americas).
· Mark obtained a favorable private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service that permitted a major University to retroactively change its project financing accounting method with favorable results.
Recent Speaking Engagements and Publications
· "Strand vs. Escambia County Victory," co-author, Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Client Advisory, September 2008.
· "To Reissue or NOT to Reissue?," author, Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Public Finance Advisory, March 3, 2008.
· "Bond issue allows Everglades work to be done a decade ahead of schedule," Daily Business Review, March 26, 2007.
· "State & Local Government Debt Financing - Private Activity Bonds," West Group.
News & Publications
June 2009, Public Finance Advisory - American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act (ARRTA) Bond Provisions Update - Summary of Treasury Department Notices Providing Interim Guidance
January 2009, Public Finance Advisory
September 18, 2008, EAPD Victorious in Strand Vs. Escambia County
Florida Supreme Court Decision Could Have Ended Tax Increment Financings (TIFs) For Urban Redevelopment Projects
September 2008, Client Advisory - Strand vs. Escambia County Victory
May 19, 2008, Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Moves To New Office Space in Fort Lauderdale
March 3, 2008, Public Finance Advisory - To Reissue or NOT to Reissue?
Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP
December 13, 2007, Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Clients Recognized by The Bond Buyer as Deal of the Year Award Winners
Two of Five Large Issuance Deal Finalists Represented by Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge
March 23, 2007, Top Dealmaker of the Year Award in South Florida Recognizes Five EAPD Attorneys
March 26, 2007, Bond issue allows Everglades work to be done a decade ahead of schedule
Daily Business Review
November 30, 2006, EAPD Serves as Counsel to South Florida Water Management District in $546 Million Deal Involving First Use of COPs
Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP
February 24, 2006, Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Successfully Represents Client In One Of The Largest Bond Validation Proceedings In Florida History
June 30, 2005, Edwards & Angell Promotes Ten to Partner
March 18, 2005, Edwards & Angell, LLP Successfully Closed A Unique $6.5 Million Bond Transaction for the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, A Florida Not-For-Profit Corporation
Edwards & Angell, LLP
Before Edwards Wildman
Upon graduation from college, Mark was an intern in the Corporate Audit Unit for Phillip Morris Corporation. Additionally, Mark worked in the Exploration and Production Unit of Mobil Corporation.
Besides Edwards Wildman
Mark is a member of the United Way and an active member of the Firm's Charitable Affairs Committee.
Memberships
· American Bar Association - Taxation Section
· National Association of Bond Lawyers