Job Description/Details:

The Cleveland office of Squire Patton Boggs is seeking an associate to join our Public and Infrastructure Finance practice group. The ideal candidate will have 0-2 years of experience in a transactional practice.

Public and Infrastructure Finance

The public and infrastructure finance practice is a transactional practice involving the development and application of knowledge and skills similar to those required to represent parties in corporate loan and capital markets financing transactions. It is characterized by the participation of public bodies in transactions.

The public finance market is a “debt” segment of the U.S. capital markets, involving the issuance by state and local governmental entities of bonds and notes to provide financing for various purposes. In most instances, and subject to various federal tax requirements, the interest payable on that debt is not subject to federal income taxation. The transactions may be categorized in different ways, but the most basic distinction in terms of structure and security is between “traditional finance” transactions, which involve the financing of public infrastructure by state and local governmental entities (e.g., cities, school and special districts), the repayment of which is secured by public revenue sources, and “conduit finance” transactions, which involve the issuance by public bodies of debt instruments to finance facilities for use by private entities (e.g., developers, privately owned utilities, nonprofit hospitals and educational and cultural institutions), the repayment of which is required to be made by the private entity rather than the public issuer. Conduit finance transactions may also include the application of various types of tax credits and tend to be more “corporate” in nature. The successful candidate will be working to provide general transactional support within the Practice Group.

Background, Skills and Temperament

The skills and talent needed to succeed in this type of practice are consistent with high levels of academic success. For that reason, we seek candidates from the top 20% of their graduating class. We also consider a demonstrated ability to work as part of a team, to exercise sound, practical judgment, and to interact directly with client representatives to be of equal importance.

Strong analytical and writing skills are important, with preference being given to candidates with experience in public finance, project finance, lending, and real estate transactions. Substantive areas of law most relevant to this practice include constitutional, federal tax and securities, commercial and real estate, and contract. Prior public finance experience is not required.


This is a national practice necessitating consistency of approach, and it is a collegial practice in which teams of lawyers, paralegals, project assistants and support staff work closely together to meet our clients’ needs. Attorneys who are most likely to succeed are those who are able to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with others.

We offer competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, life, 401(k) and many other excellent benefits.