Stefano Taverna

Stefano Taverna is a partner in the Dallas office and oversees the firm’s tax department, where he focuses on federal income tax aspects of public finance, financial products and tax controversy. He provides tax advice to issuers and underwriters regarding tax-exempt bond financings involving new money projects, current and advance refundings, capital as well as working capital financings, commercial paper issues and pooled bonds. Stefano participates in the structuring of governmental bonds, private activity bonds, 501(c)(3) bonds, recovery zone bonds, qualified zone academy bonds, build America bonds, and any other type of tax-credit bonds. He also represents numerous clients in connection with various IDRs, V-Cap Closing Agreements, IRS audits and other administrative proceedings.

Prior to joining the firm, Stefano was a tax attorney at two law firms with an established Wall Street presence. He practiced in public finance by serving as bond counsel, underwriters’ counsel and special tax counsel for numerous financing transactions throughout the country, including in particular financings for general governmental purposes; multi-family residential rental housing; and senior living, health care and higher educational facilities. In addition, he advised clients on the federal and state tax aspects of domestic and international hedge fund formations and operations, mergers, acquisitions and reorganizations, public and private debt and equity offerings, and general corporate, partnership and investment issues. Stefano advised and represented clients on swap transactions and tax-exempt entities with regard to the federal and state tax implications related to their formation and operations. He clerked for Hon. O’C. Wefing, Appellate Division Superior Court of the State of New Jersey before joining private practice.

Highlights & Notable Transactions

• Representative clients and industries include: transportation, healthcare, water authorities, port (and airport) authorities, special districts, pool financing issuers, school districts, multi-family housing, senior living and CCRCs, power agencies, student loan agencies and general municipal issuers
• Transactions include: public private partnerships for various highway projects, numerous VCAPs and audit, restructurings, and airport financings

Professional & Community Affiliations

Member, State Bar of Texas

Member, State Bar of New York

Member, State Bar of New Jersey

Chair (2015-2017), American Bar Association, Tax Section, Tax-Exempt Financing Committee

Member, Steering Committee, National Association of Bond Lawyers

Articles & Speeches

Panelist and Moderator at numerous events, including events held by the National Association of Bond Counsel, the American Bar Association and the Government Finance Officers Association