Michelle L. Kennedy

Michelle Kennedy is a member of the Firm’s Public and Private Finance, Municipal, Real Estate Development, Zoning and Land Use and Real Estate Practice Groups. Michelle has served as bond counsel in public finance transactions involving New York State agencies and authorities, municipalities, school districts, and industrial development agencies. Projects have included infrastructure improvements, new construction and redevelopment, and public works and emergency equipment and vehicle acquisition. Michelle represents general obligation clients in the issuance of serial bonds, bond anticipation notes and revenue anticipation notes. Michelle is listed in The Bond Buyer’s Municipal Marketplace, the “Red Book”, and is a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers. Michelle also represents public and private entities and non-profit organizations with respect to grant funding and compliance.

Michelle earned her Juris Doctor degree from The George Washington University Law School, Evening Division, while employed full-time in the United States Department of Justice’s “Outstanding Scholar Program” and assigned to the Antitrust Division, Transportation, Energy and Agriculture Section. She served as a Summer Law Clerk in the Office of General Counsel for the Central Intelligence Agency. Michelle earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from The College of William and Mary, graduating cum laude. Michelle was born and raised in the Albany area and is a graduate of Academy of the Holy Names.

Representative Accomplishments

Acted as counsel to multinational corporations and developers in Industrial Development Agency proceedings for new construction projects (resulting in 1200 full time and 1060 construction jobs) with direct capital investment of more than two hundred sixty million dollars in Upstate New York communities.

Acted as bond counsel for school-related financings (greater than three hundred ninety million dollars) and water, wastewater and highway infrastructure-related financings (greater than one hundred sixty million dollars).

Acted as municipal counsel in land use proceedings related to the expansion of Springbrook and Glimmerglass Opera and the development of Farm Credit East in Otsego County.

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

Kennedy, ML: “The Exercise of Local Control Over Gas Extraction,” Fordham Environmental Law Review, Spring 2011.

Kennedy, ML: “Smith International, Inc. and Schlumberger Ltd Convicted of Criminal Contempt.” Competition Matters (publication of the United States Department of Justice, Antitrust Division), April 2000.

Kennedy, ML: “Land Use Issues for Local Communities Confronted with Heavy Industry,” Sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension, April 6, 2011 in Cooperstown, NY.

Kennedy, ML: “Land and Road Use Issues for Local Communities Confronted with Heavy Industry,” Sponsored by Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce and Otsego County Conservation Association, April 9, 2011 in Cooperstown, NY.