Public Finance Blog

It’s time to focus on a single word: commitment.  This seems to be the watchword over the last month.  “Is my firm committed to me and my practice?  More importantly, is my firm still committed to the public finance space?”  From bankers to the bond counsel side and more, this seems to be the growing concern of the people in our industry.

From Banking To The Bond Counsel Side:

The Whirlwind For All

With tax status of tax exemption once again being bantered about the halls of Congress, bankers and bond counsels are not as concerned about this as they are about their firms still being as committed to the space in general. This is especially true with the rapid silver tsunami effect.  It was shared with me that a major percentage of all 103 lawyers are nearing (or have exceeded) retirement age and the amount of new associates and senior associates in the 103  area is limited. Without a strong cadre of 103 lawyers, firms are looking at leaving the field.  Also, with bonus season among us, individuals with the bond counsel side as well as traditional bankers are slightly disappointed (not as bad as the past years), but there is still the concern of, “I’m not getting paid what I should have.  My firm is not as committed to me as I would like.”

What The Tea Leaves Say…

Saying all the above, there are still those firms that are actively growing their public finance practice in the banking and bond counsel side despite the rumblings of Capitol Hill.  There are firms that are facing blowout first quarters and are still seeing growth for the next couple of years very easily.  There are firms asking us to continue to help them with the search of hard-to-find 103 lawyers to continue to certify the tax-exempt status of the bonds.  So, to think that this year is going to be a lull in deal execution, and correspondingly with hirings, is to not be able to read the tea leaves.  Everything is portending to be a great year in public finance.

Think About Yourself:

Hope For Banking To Bond Counsel Side & Beyond

What does this mean to you?  If your firm is not committed to the space or you feel that you are not getting all the support you need to run your business, there are a plethora of firms in both the banking and bond counsel side that are looking for you. Do not think for a minute there are no firms overly committed to public finance because they are out there.  We work with only those firms that continue year after year to be committed to the public finance field and to their professionals.  If commitment is a question you find yourself asking, let us help you.  We are 100% committed to the public finance field, today and for the last 13+ years.

Conclusion

You don’t need a resume to chat with us! If you would like to discuss your options, please reach out for a confidential conversation at 760-477-1284 or email at harlan@hfriedmansearch.com. He can also be reached on LinkedIn. Harlan publishes a blog every Thursday here. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here, which is a compilation of our weekly blogs, so you never miss one. We have also been mentioned in Forbes, click HERE to read for yourself.  

About Harlan Friedman, JD & Founding Member, H. Friedman Search LLC. Harlan is a thirty-year veteran Public Finance Banker turned recruiter who specializes in the placement of all levels Public Finance Bankers, Healthcare Bankers, Municipal Advisors, Compliance Officers, Issuers, and Bond Counsels.