Juliette R. Antoine, Section Head
The Finance and Audit Section provides legal counsel and representation on municipal finance issues. As one of the largest issuers of municipal debt in the United States and the largest issuer in the State of Florida, the County's intricate and sophisticated transactions have earned the attention of the municipal bond community. In 2021, for example, a $1.24 billion PortMiami transaction, in which the County Attorney's Office acted as issuer's counsel, won the prestigious Bond Buyer National Deal of the Year award. As issuer's counsel, the section worked with County professional staff to develop a financing plan, credit structure, and rating strategy that would accomplish PortMiami's restructuring objectives.
The section provides advice and counsel regarding the County's municipal bond offerings, capital project bond programs, such as the $2.9 billion Building Better Communities Bond Program approved in 2004 by the voters of the County, complex derivative transactions, and other financing vehicles. We advise various conduit issuers, boards and committees, including the Housing Finance Authority, the Industrial Development Authority, the Health Facilities Authority, Educational Facilities Authority, and the Building Better Communities Citizens' Advisory Committee. In addition, we assist the County Commission to fulfill its obligation as the highest elected body to comply with federal public approval requirements under the Internal Revenue Code prior to the issuance of tax-exempt private activity bonds, which are designed to raise capital for projects that benefit the public within the boundaries of Miami-Dade County.
The following are attorneys who specialize in this practice area: