Chadbourne & Parke announced yesterday that Jacob Falk, formerly the Director of the Office of Infrastructure Finance & Innovation at the United StatesDepartment of Transportation (USDOT), has returned to the Firm as counsel in the project finance group.

The Office of Infrastructure Finance & Innovation, which Falk helped establish, advises USDOT leadership on new approaches for improving transportation finance and project delivery, including the development of public-private partnerships (PPPs) and project financing mechanisms.

As Director, Falk advised USDOT leadership on a number of significant infrastructure financing policies, including the recent expansion of the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act program (TIFIA), which will provide up to US$17 billion of financing for fiscal years 2013 and 2014. Additionally, Falk managed the Private Activity Bonds program (PABs), which allocates US$15 billion in tax-exempt financing authority for eligible surface transportation projects and freight transfer facilities. He also managed the US$3.6 billion TIGER Discretionary Grant Program, a portfolio of performance-based USDOT investments in highway, transit, rail and port projects.

"I am thrilled that Jake has decided to return to Chadbourne after his five years with the USDOT," said Doug Fried, the head of Chadbourne's PPP practice. "Jake's experience advising USDOT leadership on the TIFIA program, managing the PABs program, and his focus on the development of PPPs will be extremely beneficial to our clients."

During his tenure at USDOT, Falk worked closely with the Federal Highway and Transit Administrations to draft and publish reports that analyzed specific provisions of concession agreements and the various ways to structure PPPs to ensure that public and private sector objectives are achieved. Falk also advised on a variety of USDOT grant and credit assistance programs, including the High Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail Program, the New Starts Transit Capital Program, and the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program.

Prior to joining the USDOT, Falk worked in Chadbourne's project finance group. At Chadbourne, Falk structured and negotiated concession and financing arrangements for clients' transportation and energy projects in the US and internationally.

"While Chadbourne's project finance group is already an industry leader in the PPP market, I am eager to leverage the skills and experience I gained at USDOT to help the Firm continue to build this practice and serve its clients," said Falk.

Falk will practice in Chadbourne's Washington, DC office.

Source: Chadbourne