November 15, 2022—Melissa Bennett, a partner in Barclay Damon’s Albany office, has been named a 2022 Rising Star by The Bond Buyer. The program, now in its seventh year, honors municipal finance professionals under 40 years old whose strong leadership and innovative thinking have improved their community and the public finance industry.
Bennett has extensive experience serving as bond counsel, underwriter’s counsel, and borrower’s counsel on a variety of revenue bond transactions, including financings for school districts, higher education institutions, health care providers, municipalities, and for-profit and not-for-profit affordable housing developers. In just the past year, Bennett has served as bond counsel, underwriter’s counsel, or borrower’s counsel on 12 transactions totaling more than $3.1 billion across a range of industries.
“We are so proud that Melissa was chosen as a Rising Star,” said Sharon Brown, co-chair of the firm’s Public Finance Practice Area. “She has made an overwhelmingly positive impact not only in her clients’ communities but also on the public finance industry as a whole, and this recognition is certainly a testament to her knowledge and work ethic.”
Kevin Bezio, co-chair of the firm’s Public Finance Practice Area, said, “Melissa continually approaches new projects—which are often exceptionally challenging—with composure, an innovative spirit, and adept legal prowess. Her reputation precedes her, and everyone she interacts with considers her to be an invaluable team member.”
Bennett first started working in the public finance industry in 2003, when she was a college intern at another law firm. From 2006 to 2008, she was a legal assistant in Barclay Damon’s Public Finance Practice Area prior to beginning law school. In 2012, Bennett joined the firm as an associate in the Public Finance Practice Area. She was promoted to partner in 2020. Bennett is Barclay Damon’s first attorney to be included in The Bond Buyer’s Rising Stars program.
“I am honored to have been selected as a Rising Star,” said Bennett. “I owe much of my success in this field to my amazing partner and mentor at Barclay Damon, Connie Cahill, who has provided me invaluable mentoring and training throughout my career. I hope I can provide the same level of mentorship to the younger generation of lawyers interested in public finance.”
As part of her inclusion in this year’s Rising Stars, Bennett was profiled by The Bond Buyer. Subscribers to The Bond Buyer can read her profile here.
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