Services
Education
University of Michigan Law School, J.D. 2011
University of Notre Dame, B.B.A. 2008
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
Katrina is one of a very small number of attorneys nationwide who work exclusively in the area of law dealing with the highly complex Internal Revenue Code Section 103, specializing in the rules relating to the issuance and post-issuance compliance for tax-advantaged bonds.
Katrina has extensive experience in matters related to federal tax opinions on tax-exempt bonds, financing capital projects and infrastructure improvements, economic development and environmental response projects, and government and regulatory affairs.
Representative Matters
Non-Profit Michigan Hospital Debt Re-Structuring
Following the affiliation of two non-profit Michigan hospitals, Katrina’s group worked as bond counsel to refinance the debt of both hospital systems, bringing them within the same credit group and creating synergies between the two hospitals. As tax counsel, this involved restructuring the debt of both hospital systems to ensure the interest on the debt continued to be tax-exempt following the transaction and thereafter. Katrina successfully helped to structure and document the transactions, resulting in millions of dollars in interest savings to the combined healthcare groups.
State of Michigan Programs
Katrina works as tax and bond counsel on the annual issuance of State Aid Notes, whereby public school districts, who often face cash flow deficits prior to their receipt of State Aid Revenues, can borrow at a low-cost, short-term basis through the State of Michigan to bridge those working capital deficits. Over the years, she has also worked with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, Michigan Finance Authority, and State of Michigan Building Authority on both structuring current tax-exempt bond issues, but also post-issuance compliance.
Public Lighting Authority, City of Detroit
Katrina assisted in the tax structuring of the newly-formed Public Lighting Authority, as part of the City's plan to "light up Detroit" and continue its blight removal efforts. This work involved pre-and post-issuance tax analysis to allow for innovative public and private financing.
Sales Tax Securitization Corporation, City of Chicago
Katrina worked as tax counsel to the Sales Tax Securitization Corporation of the City of Chicago in restructuring several outstanding obligations of the City and the Corporation to achieve both present value and budget year savings for the City.
City of Detroit Chapter 9 Bankruptcy Restructuring
Miller Canfield served as local counsel to the City of Detroit in connection with its Chapter 9 bankruptcy case filed in July 2013 and its ongoing restructuring efforts. Since the City confirmed its Plan of Adjustment in December 2014, Miller Canfield has continued to represent the City in connection with many aspects of its Plan implementation, appeals of Plan confirmation, set up of the Great Lakes Water Authority, and a variety of financings.
Honors
Chambers USA: America's Leading Business Lawyers for Public Finance, 2024–present
Michigan Lawyers Weekly Influential Women of Law, Class of 2023
Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, Public Finance Law, 2021-present
State Bar of Michigan Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2021-2024
40 Under 40, Crain's Detroit Business, 2020
DBusiness Magazine, Top Lawyers, Tax Law, 2020-present
Super Lawyers Rising Star, Government Finance, 2017-2021
Michigan Lawyers Weekly Up and Coming Lawyer, 2016
University of Michigan Law School, J.D., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, Honors Legal Practice and Legal Practice Award, Senior Judge, Legal Practice Program, Administrative Law and Real Estate Finance Certificates of Merit
University of Notre Dame, B.B.A., summa cum laude, Dean's List, Elmer Layden Award for Accounting Excellency, Beta Alpha Psi Honors Society, Tax Assistance Program
Professional Activities
National Association of Bond Lawyers, 2024-2026 Steering Committee, former Editorial Board Member, Panelist
Refundings and Reissuances Panel, National Association of Bond Lawyers, 2023-present
Michigan Women in Finance, Past President, Current Member
Michigan Association of CPAs
State Bar of Michigan
American Bar Association
Civic, Cultural & Social Activities
Angels Place, Advisory Board
Marian High School, Board Member
Speeches
"Positive Arbitrage is Back!" Michigan School Business Officials (MSBO) Annual Conference, April 29 - May 1, 2025
"Refundings and Reissuance," National Association of Bond Lawyers Workshop, 2021-present
"Inflation Reduction Act," Metropolitan Detroit Bureau of School Studies ("Metro Bureau") Webinar, October 12, 2023
"Positive Arbitrage is Back," Michigan Government Finance Officers Association webinar, May 16, 2023
