James Snyder

Practice Areas

Public Finance

Career

James Snyder is a member of Miller Canfield's Public Finance Group, where he provides counsel to a broad range of governmental entities across Illinois. He acts as bond counsel and disclosure counsel to hundreds of entities, including school districts, cities, villages, counties, park districts, and special districts, and serves as underwriter's counsel for numerous municipal bond underwriters.

Jim's extensive experience covers a wide array of municipal finance transactions, such as general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, special service area bonds, tax increment bonds, industrial development revenue bonds, multifamily housing bonds, and Section 501(c)(3) revenue bonds.

He is a prominent speaker on public finance issues and serves on the Board of the Council of Development Finance Authorities. Jim has also been an active member of the Steering Committee for the National Association of Bond Lawyers' Bond Attorney Workshop.

Jim received his B.S. from The Ohio State University and his J.D. from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. He is admitted to practice law in Illinois.

A respected member of the professional community, Jim is affiliated with several organizations, including the Illinois Association of School Boards Service Associates, the Illinois Association of School Business Officials, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois Association of Park Districts, the National Association of Bond Lawyers, and the Illinois Chamber of Commerce.

Jim's accolades include being named to The Best Lawyers® in America for Public Finance Law from 2009 to 2024 and receiving the Chicago "Lawyer of the Year" award for Public Finance Law in 2016. He is also recognized in Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Public Finance, achieving the highest ranking (Band 1) in 2023 and 2024.

In addition to his professional achievements, Jim is an accomplished singer, songwriter and guitar player who regularly performs at charitable and other events. Jim is actively involved in the community, having served on the Board of the Council of Development Finance Agencies and participating as an Executive Committee Member for the Illinois Association of School Boards. He also dedicates time as a coach and volunteer for various organizations.

Professional Memberships

Illinois Association of School Boards Service Associates

Illinois Association of School Business Officials (IASBO)

Council of Development Finance Agencies, Board Member

National Association of Bond Lawyers, Bond Attorneys Workshop Steering Committee, 2012-2013

National Association of Bond Lawyers

Council of Development Finance Agencies

Illinois Chamber of Commerce

Publications

"Pension Obligation Bonds," Illinois State Bar Association, June 2021

"How Bonds Are Used to Finance City, Village, School District and Park District Improvements," Daily Herald, September 18, 2018

"Financing Options Using Bonds for Illinois Cities and Villages - Part 1," Illinois Municipal League Magazine

"Tax-Credit Reference Guide" Guide for the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA)

Education