Barry Staples

Practice Areas

Public Finance

Economic Development

Career

Barry has extensive experience in the areas of municipal and public finance and economic development. Additionally, Barry dedicates a significant portion of his practice to the representation of financial institutions in public and private transactions involving governmental entities and nonprofit organizations.

In his Public Finance practice, Barry advises governmental and non-profit organizations on taxable and tax-exempt financings, serving as bond counsel and disclosure counsel to cities, counties, boards of education, utility systems, public and private universities and 501(c)(3) corporations.

In his Financial Institutions practice, serving as bank counsel and underwriter's counsel, Barry regularly represents regional and national financial institutions on the purchase and sale of taxable and tax-exempt debt throughout their respective footprints. Additionally, he advises banks and underwriters on compliance with state and federal laws regulating the municipal bond market.

In the Economic Development arena, Barry advises cities, counties and related public entities and private for-profit business organizations on economic development projects including the negotiation, structuring, and documentation of project development agreements, incentive packages and revenue sharing arrangements.

Barry has been recognized as a leading Public Finance attorney by Chambers and Partners since 2019. He has been listed in the Best Lawyers in America in the areas of Municipal Law and Public Finance Law since 2016, and he was tapped "Lawyer of the Year" for Muniicapl Law in 2018.

Professional Memberships

• American Bar Association

• Alabama State Bar

• State Bar of Georgia

• National Association of Bond Lawyers

• The Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation

• Leadership Birmingham, Class of 2016

• Leadership Alabama - Alabama Leadership Initiative (2011)

• Dartmouth Club of Alabama, President (2013-2015; 2023)