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Miller Canfield Announces Public Finance Group Leadership Transition
Miller Canfield has announced that Jeffrey Aronoff and Steven Frank will serve as co-leaders of the firm’s Public Finance Group. They succeed Thomas Colis, who is stepping down as practice group leader after serving in the role since 2023.
“This has been a thoughtful, planned transition, and we are grateful for Tom’s steady leadership and the strong foundation he helped strengthen over the past three years,” Miller Canfield CEO Michael Palizzi said. “Jeff and Steve have been integral to the group’s leadership as deputy practice group leaders since 2023. They bring deep experience, outstanding judgment, and a shared commitment to client service that will serve our clients and our firm well.”
Colis represents cities, counties, townships, villages, schools, libraries and authorities on a broad range of public financings and related matters. His work includes guiding clients on legal structures and documentation for the issuance and sale of bonds supporting public infrastructure and capital projects, as well as advising on millage and ballot proposals, elections, special assessments, and tax issues. He also represents investment banking firms as underwriter’s counsel in connection with tax-exempt bond transactions.
Aronoff focuses on public finance and securities matters, including municipal infrastructure finance and economic development finance, serving as bond counsel and underwriter/purchaser’s counsel on a wide variety of transactions. He also advises governmental clients on general matters, including economic development initiatives, fiscal distress issues and public-private collaboration. Aronoff has particular experience in airport finance and conduit financing for tax-exempt organizations, and in helping establish and support intergovernmental and regional authorities. In addition to serving as a co-leader of the practice group, he is a member of the firm’s Board of Managing Directors.
Frank represents issuers and underwriters in a wide range of traditional and complex tax-exempt and taxable financings, with a focus on the higher education, health care, senior living, and public and private utility sectors. He also has extensive experience in advising governmental entities on all aspects of public-private partnerships, including procurement, development, financing, and implementation.
Miller Canfield’s nationally recognized Public Finance Group advises state and local governments, school districts, authorities, nonprofits, financial institutions and other clients on public finance transactions and related legal matters, supporting projects that strengthen communities and drive economic development.
