

Lillian M. Blackshear
Member
Nashville
(615) 742-7902
lblackshear@bassberry.com
https://www.bassberry.com/professionals/blackshear-lillian-m/

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. Her practice involves:
- Serving as bond counsel to counties, cities and various districts, authorities and nonprofit entities in the issuance of general obligation and revenue bonds and notes.
- Serving as underwriter’s counsel and bank counsel to financial institutions in the issuance of state, county, city and nonprofit debt.
- Serving as disclosure counsel to local governments in the issuance of municipal bonds and notes.
Lillian is a valuable resource to the firm’s Public Finance Practice Group on municipal securities disclosure issues and frequently works with issuers regarding their continuing disclosure obligations. She has extensive experience in the drafting and reviewing of authorizing, disclosure, sale and closing documents – the critical components of a successful public financing deal.
Memberships
Metropolitan Planning Commission (2014-2023)
National Association of Bond Lawyers
Women in Public Finance, Tennessee Chapter — Secretary
Tennessee Bar Association
Napier-Looby Bar Association
Leadership Nashville (Class of 2023-2024)
Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee — Corporate Food Fight, Volunteer
Publications
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