Services
Industries
Education
University of Michigan Law School, J.D., 1993
University of Rochester, B.A., 1990
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
Thomas Colis 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.
Representative Matters
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.
Represented private schools, colleges and universities and various other nonprofit entities in tax-exempt financings for building and equipment projects.
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.
Represented governmental units and private colleges and universities in working capital financings including lines of credit, tax anticipation notes and state aid notes.
Honors
Fellow, American College of Bond Counsel
Chambers USA: America's Leading Business Lawyers for Public Finance (Band 1), 2024
Best Lawyers in America, Public Finance Law, 2010-present; 2019 Detroit Public Finance Lawyer of the Year
Michigan Super Lawyers: State, Local & Municipal Law, 2022-present
DBusiness Magazine, Top Lawyers, Public Finance, 2011-present
University of Rochester, magna cum laude
Professional Activities
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
Speeches
"Continuing Disclosure: Is Your District in Compliance?", Michigan School Business Officials 2023 Annual Conference, April 27, 2023
"Advanced Capital Planning and Debt Management Seminar," Michigan Government Finance Officers Association, November 8, 2022
"Continuing Disclosure: Context and Considerations for Your District," Michigan School Business Officials, April 28, 2022
"How Millages Work," Michigan Municipal Treasurers Association Basic Institute, April 27, 2022
"An Introduction to Debt Management," Michigan Municipal Treasurers Association Basic Institute, April 28, 2021
"The Ins and Outs of Cash Flow Borrowings," Michigan Government Finance Officers Association, July 14, 2020
"New Amendments to Continuing Disclosure Requirements," Michigan Government Finance Officers Association Fall Training Institute, October 2, 2019
"Advanced Capital Planning and Debt Management Seminar," Michigan Government Finance Officers Association, May 7, 2019
"New Issue Price Rules and How It Could Impact Your Future Debt Issuances," Michigan School Business Officials, April 18, 2018
"Tax-Exempt Industrial Development Revenue Bonds," Dexter Business Summit, October 18, 2017
"Fundamentals of Municipal Financing," Upper Peninsula Managers Fall 2017 Meeting, October 13, 2017
"New Federal Regulations Impacting Debt Issuance – What You Should Know," Michigan Government Finance Officers Association Fall Training Institute, September 26, 2017
"Advanced Capital Planning and Debt Management Seminar," Michigan Government Finance Officers Association, May 9, 2017
"The Basics of Financing," Michigan Association of Township Supervisors Midwinter Education Conference, February 10, 2017
"Bond Financing," Michigan Government Finance Officers Association Fall Training Institute, September 20, 2016
"SEC Municipal Securities Enforcement," Michigan Government Finance Officers Association, November 18, 2015
"Debt Management – Hot Topics," Michigan Municipal Treasurers Association, September 21, 2015
"Options for Financing Repairs and Capital Improvements," Macomb/St. Clair County School Business Officials, September 3, 2015
"Refunding Your Outstanding Debt," Michigan School Business Officials, April 29, 2015
"Decisions, Decisions….Qualified vs Non-Qualified Bonds," Michigan School Business Officials, April 29, 2015
"Debt Management," Michigan Municipal Treasurers Association Basic Institute, April 20, 2015
"Planning, Sale and Administration of Municipal Debt," Michigan Municipal Treasurers Association Treasurer’s Institute, May 6, 2014
"Financing Options," Michigan Local Government Managers Association Summer Workshop, July 23, 2014
"Use of Bond Proceeds for Technology," Michigan School Business Officials, May 8, 2014
"One Size Fits All Installment Contracts and Lease Purchase Agreements – What to Watch For," Michigan School Business Officials, May 8, 2014
"Government Bonds – Disclosure and State and Federal Filing Requirements," Michigan Government Finance Officers Association Fall Training Institute, October 1, 2013
