Lillian M. Blackshear
Since 2010, Lillian Blackshear has represented clients in public finance transactions totaling more than $10 billion. Governments and banks look to Lillian as counsel to secure the financing necessary to green-light a wide range of development projects and debt refundings. Exclusively focused on public finance, Lillian represents an array of governmental entities, investment banks and commercial banks on debt issuances throughout Tennessee.
Lillian helps her clients navigate the complexities of state law, federal tax and federal securities issues related to public finance deals. As bond counsel, Lillian has helped secure bond proceeds for the redevelopment of areas in Middle Tennessee ravaged by historic flooding. As underwriter’s counsel, she has assisted in bringing several large issuers back into compliance with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosure rules. As disclosure counsel, she has assisted first-time issuers in the offering of their securities and compliance with SEC disclosure rules.
Memberships
Metropolitan Planning Commission
National Association of Bond Lawyers
Women in Public Finance, Tennessee Chapter — Secretary
Tennessee Bar Association
Napier-Looby Bar Association
Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee — Corporate Food Fight, Volunteer
Representative Experience
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Represented the Metro Nashville Sports Authority as bond counsel in connection with the issuance of $225 million of bonds in December 2020 to finance the construction of the new Major League Soccer (MLS) Stadium at the Nashville Fairgrounds
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We represented Shelby County Schools (SCS) Board in a transaction to secure funding bringing laptop computers to nearly 95,000 students in the District. By providing nearly 95,000+ new devices and WiFi access to students in the District, each student will have the proper materials to participate in online learning this year. Students are scheduled to have a laptop or tablet by November 2020. The investment in students, which was announced on June 16, is historic step for the District in bridging the digital divide and builds upon the ongoing Equity in Action Plan, which aims to ensure all students have the same access to academic supports.
COVID-19 highlighted the lack of internet access and technology for many students and families in Memphis, Tennessee. This deal is part of a broader $37 million plan to enable all students to learn online. The transaction was formed through a lease-purchase agreement with Microsoft and Hewlett Packard. The funding included federal coronavirus relief dollars through the CARES Act Fund, as well as government bonds from Shelby County and the City of Memphis.
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Represented Montgomery County, Tennessee as bond counsel in connection with the issuance of $110 million of bonds in July 2020 to finance the construction of a Multi-Purpose Event Center in downtown Clarksville
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Served as co-disclosure counsel to the City of Memphis in the offering of approximately $70 million in sewer bonds
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Represented cities and counties across Tennessee on more than 200 general obligation bond transactions valued at a combined total of approximately $4.5 billion
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Represented Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County as bond counsel in connection with approximately $3 billion of general obligation and utility system bond issues
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Served as bond counsel or underwriters’ counsel in approximately $2.8 billion of utility system bond financings since 2014
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Served as underwriter’s counsel in connection with the closing of a $12 million tax increment financing for public infrastructure improvements related to the Scarlett Pearl Casino Resort in D’Iberville, Mississippi
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Represented Vanderbilt University as bond counsel in the issuance of approximately $140 million in revenue bonds
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Represented the Memphis Center City Revenue Finance Corporation in a $24 million bond issue to finance the City of Memphis’ purchase of AutoZone Park, the downtown ballpark where the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds play
Publications
Past Events
Media Mentions & Firm News
Accolades
Lawyers of Color — Power List (2023)
National Bar Association — “40 Under 40 Nation’s Best Advocates” (2022)
Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) — Fellow (2022)
Nashville Post “In Charge” — Legal Sector (2022-2023)
Nashville Business Journal “40 Under 40” (2018)
Phi Beta Kappa
Tennessee Law Review — Articles Editor
Congressional Intern to U.S. Representative Jim Cooper, Nashville Office