Services
Industries
Education
Harvard Law School, J.D. 1974
Michigan State University, B.A. 1971
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
As a key player in nearly every publicly offered bond issue by a public university in Michigan for at least the last 15 years, Jerry Rupley brings vast experience to his role as bond counsel or underwriter’s counsel. He also has represented the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) on every State Trunk Line Fund and Comprehensive Transportation Fund bond and note issue since 1978 (except for one in 1992 on which he acted as underwriter’s counsel).
With three decades of experience in the bond area, Jerry helped develop the General Revenue pledge concept now used by all public universities in Michigan. He also has been the lead practitioner in adapting financial tools such as advance re-fundings, variable rate demand bonds and interest rate swaps for use by Michigan’s universities.
Jerry has done a significant amount of work in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Wisconsin as underwriter’s counsel on bond issues for both public and private higher education institutions and has acted as bond counsel in bond issues for private colleges and universities in Michigan. In the health care area, he has been bond counsel for all of the bond issues for the University of Michigan Health System, and for private institutions such as Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo and Covenant Medical Center in Saginaw.
Jerry has drafted much of the bond financing laws for MDOT and testified before the Michigan Legislature on that legislation. He also has guided MDOT through the development of a variety of new financing techniques and programs, such as the local government loan program, advance re-fundings, capital appreciation bonds and interest rate locks.
Representative Matters
Miller Canfield served as local counsel to the City of Detroit in connection with its Chapter 9 bankruptcy case filed in July 2013 and its ongoing restructuring efforts. Since the City confirmed its Plan of Adjustment in December 2014, Miller Canfield has continued to represent the City in connection with many aspects of its Plan implementation, appeals of Plan confirmation, set up of the Great Lakes Water Authority, and a variety of financings.
In a complicated and innovative transaction, led an interdisciplinary team to create a new medical school in Michigan. The project involved forming a not for profit corporation involving a university, two hospitals, and a privately funded donation of $100 million.
Honors
Best Lawyers in America, Education Law, Public Finance Law 2005-present; Detroit Public Finance Lawyer of the Year, 2012, 2021 & 2024; Detroit Education Law Lawyer of the Year, 2013
Michigan Super Lawyers, Bonds/Government Finance 2006-present
DBusiness Magazine, Top Lawyers, Public Finance 2011
Professional Activities
American Bar Association
State Bar of Michigan, Member since 1974
Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association
National Association of Bond Lawyers
National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA)
American College of Bond Counsel, Fellow
Civic, Cultural & Social Activities
Northville Public Schools, Trustee and Treasurer of the Board of Education, 1999-2003
First United Methodist Church of Northville, Past Chair of the Administrative Board
Advocates for Quality Education, Vice-president
Publications
"The Aftermath of the Affirmative Action Decision in Michigan," Miller Canfield Update, Ann Arbor, December 2006
Frequent presenter at seminars on transportation, and college and university finance topics
