Florida-based Bryant Miller Olive PA has hired Lawrence Allen Raab as an associate in the firm’s Tampa office.
Raab will focus on public finance and economic development across the state, according to BMO Managing Shareholder Grace Dunlap.
“Lawrence brings valuable experience in public finance and economic development to BMO, and a keen desire to expand his knowledge base,” Dunlap said. “Having previously worked in various aspects of governmental law, he will be using that base and his strong intellectual curiosity to springboard into our busy bond practice.”
Raab most recently worked for Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman PL.
Raab has represented municipalities, state agencies, interlocal public bodies, nonprofit charitable organizations, real estate developers, and financial institutions in taxable and tax-exempt bond issues, according to BMO.
He has been bond counsel, purchaser’s counsel, and disclosure counsel in connection with public finance transactions, including those involving education, health care, housing, infrastructure, and green energy project financing.
Before entering private practice, he served as a legislative assistant to former U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla. He has also served as counsel to the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources, where he oversaw the financing and development of federal water and public power projects throughout the country.
Raab received a bachelor’s degree from University of Florida, and a master of public administration and a law degree from Syracuse University. He also holds an LL.M., or master of laws degree, in real property development from the University of Miami.
He is applying to become a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers, a company spokesperson said.
In Florida, Bryant Miller Olive was the second-ranked bond counsel firm last year, credited by Refinitive with $2.17 billion in 72 deals.
In addition to Tampa, the firm has offices in Tallahassee, Orlando, Miami, Jacksonville, Atlanta and Washington, D.C.
