Photo of Christopher J. Dembowski

Christopher J. Dembowski

Of Counsel

Office

T:
+1.517.483.4957
O:
+1.517.487.2070
F:
+1.517.374.6304
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Education

University of Notre Dame Law School, J.D., 1977

Western Michigan University, B.S., 1973

Bar Admissions

Christopher Dembowski has played a key role in establishing many financing programs for various state of Michigan authorities, including the State Building Authority, Michigan Strategic Fund, Michigan Tobacco Settlement Finance Authority and Michigan Finance Authority. 

He assisted in drafting legislation that either created those authorities or established new programs administered by them. For the Michigan Finance Authority, Chris has been involved in establishing its School Aid Note Program, Local Government Loan Program, Clean Water Revolving Fund Loan Program, Drinking Water Revolving Fund Loan Program, School Loan Revolving Fund Program and Strategic Water Quality Initiatives Fund Loan Program.

Chris also has experience representing cities, villages, townships, municipal authorities and school districts in public finance transactions.

Representative Matters

Chris has participated as bond counsel or as underwriters counsel for over $20 billion in financings undertaken by the State of Michigan, school districts, municipalities, and public authorities. A $500 million financing by the Michigan Municipal Bond Authority to provide funding for the School Loan Revolving Fund for which Chris participated as bond counsel was recognized by the Bond Buyer as the 2007 Midwest "Deal of the Year" in public finance.

A $2.9 billion revenue bond financing by the Michigan Finance Authority secured by unemployment assessments on state employers for which Chris participated as bond counsel was recognized by the Bond Buyer as the 2012 national "Deal of the Year" in public finance. 

Honors

Best Lawyers in America, Public Finance Law 2006-present

Michigan Super Lawyers, Bonds/Government Finance 2008-present

Professional Activities

American Bar Association, State and Local Government Section

State Bar of Michigan, Public Corporations Law Section; Corporation Finance and Business Law Section

Ingham County Bar Association

National Association of Bond Lawyers

Civic, Cultural & Social Activities

Western Michigan University Alumni Association

Notre Dame Club

Williamston Public Schools Foundation, Past President

Speeches

"How to Pay for Public Projects in Townships: Everything You Need to Know About Bonds," Michigan Township Association, January 2005

"Financing Township Projects," Township Treasurers' Three-day Training Workshop, March, 1999

"Government Obligations," National Association of Bond Lawyers' Annual Bond Attorneys' Workshops, 1997-1999

"New Issue Disclosure," National Association of Bond Lawyers' Annual Bond Attorneys' Workshops, 1996

"Pooled Financings and Bond Banks," National Association of Bond Lawyers' Annual Bond Attorneys' Workshops, 1987-2008

"Tax Credit Bonds," National Association of Bond Lawyers' Annual Bond Attorneys' Workshop, 2009-2010

"Tax Exempt Lease Finance," National Association of Bond Lawyer's Annual Bond Attorneys' Workshops 2011

Articles