Services
Education
The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D., 1986
The Ohio State University, B.S., 1982
Bar Admissions
- Illinois
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 (learn more>). 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.
Representative Matters
- Prior to joining Miller Canfield, Jim led a talented team of lawyers that served as bond counsel to assist the City of Chicago and its Sales Tax Securitization Corporation on a $1.7 billion financing that addressed initiatives related to affordable housing, homelessness support services, environmental justice, and community development. The city embarked on this financing plan after receiving 10 rating upgrades and three positive outlook revisions in recognition of its financial turnaround, including a return to investment-grade rating after nearly a decade. The project was named the 22nd Annual Deal of the Year and the 2023 Midwest Deal of the Year by The Bond Buyer, an honor that recognizes outstanding achievement in municipal finance.
- Co-Bond Counsel to the City of Chicago’s General Obligation Bonds, Series 2024A, the proceeds of which will be used to finance certain projects that are a part of the Chicago Works program and the Chicago Recovery Plan, and refinance certain line of credit agreements
- Co-Disclosure Counsel to the City of Chicago’s Chicago O’Hare International Airport General Airport Senior Lien Revenue Bonds, Series 2024A (AMT) and Series 2024B (Non-AMT), the proceeds of which will be used to pay or reimburse the City for the cost of certain airport projects for O’Hare, including the repayment of certain letter of credit agreement notes
- Co-Bond Counsel to the Sales Tax Securitization Corporation’s Housing/Economic Development Bonds, Series 2024
- Bond counsel on numerous school district, county, village, city and park district and other traditional bond financings including debt certificates, general obligation bonds and alternate revenue bonds
- Bond counsel on several tax increment financing bond issues throughout the State of Illinois
- Bond counsel on numerous manufacturing and economic development transactions involving the Illinois Finance Authority
- Bond counsel on numerous multifamily housing bond issues in Illinois
Honors
Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Public Finance, Band 1 (highest ranking), 2023-2024
The Best Lawyers® In America, Public Finance Law, 2009-2024
The Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” for Public Finance Law in Chicago, 2016
Chicago's Best Lawyers, Public Finance Law, 2010-2013
Professional Activities
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
Civic, Cultural & Social Activities
Member, National Association of Bond Lawyers, Bond Attorneys
Executive Committee Member, Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB)
Former Board Member, Council of Development Finance Agencies
Former Coach and Volunteer, St. Josaphat and St. Teresa of Avila
Speeches
“Tax Increment Concepts to Consider for Planned Community Growth,” IGFOA Navigating Tax Increment Financing (TIF): From Creation to Compliance Seminar, May 23, 2024
"Municipal Bonds Market Update," IMTA Annual Conference, June 2023
“Why Should I Care About the Pension Problem” – IASB · IASA · IASBO Joint Annual Conference, January 23, 2023
"Local Government: Closing Out of Expiring Tax Increment Finance Districts - Issues, Procedures, and Strategies", IGFOA Conference, October 2022
“Why Should I Care About the Pension Problem” – IASB · IASA · IASBO Joint Annual Conference, November 20, 2021
"Legal Quick Hit on Tax Increment Financing and Special Service Areas," ACC Real Estate Network, June 2021
"Let's Take Another Look at Pension Obligation Bonds" - 2021 IGFOA Annual Conference, June 2021
"Pension Obligation Bond Funding" - Lauterbach & Amen, LLP, March 16, 2021
"Debt Institute" - Illinois Government Finance Officers Association, October 15, 2020
"Public Sector Short-Term Financing Options in the COVID-19 Environment," April 27, 2020
"Performance Services," Building and Borrowing: Current Trends in the Municipal Market, January 30, 2020
"Bond Finance and Use of Public/Private Partnerships for Park Districts," Illinois Association of Park Districts, January 24, 2020
"Opportunity Zones," Illinois Municipal League 106th Conference, September 19, 2019
"Why So Many TIF Districts?" 2019 Illinois ASBO Annual Conference, May 2-3, 2019
"Current Smart City P3 Projects: A Deeper Dive," Ice Miller LLP Webinar, April 10, 2019
"Economic Development Incentives," South Suburban Economic Development Incentives Event, March 7, 2019
"Anatomy of an Illinois City or Village Bond Issue - Steps Involved," Illinois Government Finance Officers Association, February 22, 2019
"Conduit Financing through Connecticut Green Bank," CDFA Bond Finance 101 Webinar, February 4, 2019
"Underwriters and Municipal Advisors - Life In Public Finance after Recent SEC Rule Changes," Illinois Government Finance Officers Association, October 11, 2018
"Alternative Revenue and Resources for Services," Council for Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA), June 21, 2018
"Selling Illinois School Bonds Now and in the Future," 2018 Illinois ASBO Annual Conference, May 3-4, 2018
"Why Should You Care About Disclosure," 2018 Illinois ASBO Annual Conference, May 3-4 2018
"Common (or Not so Common) Debt Covenant Issues," Illinois CPA Society Government Conference, May 1, 2018
"Multi-State TIF Comparisons (Indiana/Illinois/Ohio/Wisconsin)," Illinois Tax Increment Association, April 4, 2018
"Financing Solutions for the Illinois Housing Market," CDFA Illinois Financing Roundtable, May 2, 2017
"Financing Water Infrastructure in Illinois," CDFA Illinois Financing Roundtable, May 19, 2016
“Tax Increment Financing,” CDFA National Development Finance Summit, November 3-6, 2015
"Nuts and Bolts of New Market Tax Credit and Other Tax Credits," NABL 38th Annual Bond Attorneys' Workshop, September 25-27, 2013
"Municipal Bonds 101," discussion panel for U.S. House and Senate staffers involved with the federal tax-exemption sponsored by the Municipal Bond Dealers of America, August 8, 2013
"Best Practices: Engaging Independent Financial Advisors," CDFA National Development Finance Summit, August 6-9, 2013
"Combining TIF with Other Public/Private Tools to Get the Project Built," ITIA 2013 Spring Conference, April 17-19, 2013
"Structuring the Deal -Combining and Leveraging Other Tools With Bonds," CDFA Bond Finance Webcourse, Jan. 29-30, 2013
"Combining and Leveraging TIF With Other Tools," CDFA IL Financing Roundtable Webcast, Dec. 10, 2012
"Combining New Markets Tax Credits, and Other Tax Credits with Tax Exempt Bonds," NABL 37th Annual Bond Attorneys' Workshop, Oct. 24-25, 2012
"Tax Increment Finance in Combination With Other Tools," CDFA Intro to Tax Increment Finance Webinar Course, Sept. 19, 2012
"Underwriting the Economic Development of Tomorrow Today," CDFA Roundtable Conference at the Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, Dec. 8, 2011
"Tax Increment Finance in Combination With Other Tools," CDFA Intro to Tax Increment Finance Webinar Course, Nov. 11, 2011
"Tax Credits in Combination With Other Tools," CDFA Intro to Tax Increment Finance Course, Washington DC, Aug. 12, 2011
"Municipal Finance: New Tools for Local Leaders in 2011," 13th Annual Illinois Leadership Conference University of Illinois Extension June 15, 2011 Champaign, Illinois
"Tax Increment Finance: Beyond Traditional TIF," CDFA 2011 Annual Development Finance Summit, May 12, 2011, Boston, MA.
"Understanding Your TIF Statute" CDFA Tax Increment Finance Coalition-Webcast Series, April 5-7, 2011.
"The Role of Bond Counsel," CDFA Intro Bond Finance Course, March 11, 2011, Washington D.C.
"Understanding Your TIF Statute," CDFA Advanced Tax Increment Finance Course, Aug. 5-6, 2010 Washington D.C.
"Maximizing TIF by Combining Tools," CDFA Advanced Tax Increment Finance Course, Aug. 5-6, 2010 Washington D.C.
"Understanding TIF Bond Finance," CDFA Introduction to Tax Increment Finance Course, Aug. 3-4, 2010, Washington D.C.
"Recovery Zone Bonds and Other New Financing Tools Under the Stimulus Act," CDFA Advanced Bond Finance Course, Portland, OR, May 10, 2010
"Maximizing TIF by Combining Tools," 21st Annual Rural Community Economic Development Conference, March 3, 2010
"Maximizing the Financial Impact of the New Federal Stimulus Law - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Financing Seminar - Recovery Zone Bonds," IGFOA Career Development Debt Management Seminar, Jan. 14, 2010
"Understanding Your TIF Statute," The Advanced Tax Increment Finance Course, Nov. 19-20, 2010
Publications
"Pension Obligation Bonds," Illinois State Bar Association, June 2021
"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)
