Thomas D. Colis

Practice Areas

Public Finance

Career

Thomas Colis is Miller Canfield's Public Finance Group Leader. He represents cities, counties, townships, villages, schools, libraries and authorities on a broad range of financings and associated legal matters.

He has extensive experience providing guidance to his clients on the various available legal structures and preparing the necessary documentation to authorize the issuance and sale of bonds to finance buildings, water and sewer infrastructure, road and street improvements and other capital needs. He also has vast experience in tax-exempt financing for private activity bonds (solid waste and manufacturing facilities) and nonprofit financings, including private college and university financings.

In addition to serving as bond counsel on financing transactions, Thomas counsels his clients on other related matters such as millage and ballot proposals, elections, special assessments, state and federal tax issues, and other finance matters such as cash flow borrowings.

Thomas also represents investment banking firms as underwriter’s counsel in connection with their purchase and marketing of tax-exempt bonds.

Professional Memberships

American College of Bond Counsel, Fellow

American Bar Association

State Bar of Michigan

Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association

Washtenaw County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Board of Directors 2016-2021; Treasurer, 2019-2021; Finance Committee 2017-present & Chair of Finance Committee, 2018-2021

Michigan Government Finance Officers Association, Board of Directors 2017-2018; Professional Development Committee, 2005-present & Chairman, 2009-2017

The Bond Club of Detroit, Board of Directors, 2005-2011

Hellenic Bar Association

National Association of Bond Lawyers

Work Highlights

Infrastructure Municipal Bond Issues

Represented governmental units on several hundred municipal bond issues totaling billions of dollars for governmental buildings and equipment, water and sewer utilities, road and street projects, parking facilities, brownfield redevelopment and other economic development projects.

Nonprofit Private Activity Bond Issues

Represented private schools, colleges and universities and various other nonprofit entities in tax-exempt financings for building and equipment projects.

Underwriter’s Counsel

Represented investment banking firms in connection with various tax-exempt bond issues including the preparation and review of offering documents and bond purchase agreements and the participation in due diligence process.

Working Capital Financings

Represented governmental units and private colleges and universities in working capital financings including lines of credit, tax anticipation notes and state aid notes.

Education

Awards