Neil Thomas

Of Counsel
Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

Houston
United States
T:+1 713 651 3613
Houston
United States
T:+1 713 651 3613
Neil Thomas

Neil Thomas

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Biography

Partner Neil Thomas is head of the Houston Office's Public Finance practice, acts principally as bond counsel, underwriters' counsel, and disclosure counsel for local government and private activity financing. Neil has experience with tax exempt and taxable securities transactions for cities, counties, water districts, electric power authorities, school districts, universities, colleges and industrial and housing development corporations, including ad valorem tax financings, tax increment financings, utility revenue financings, auction and variable rate financings, interest rate swap and forward purchase agreements, lease financings and private placements.

Professional experience

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JD, The University of Houston Law Center, 1984
BA, with honors, The University of Texas, 1977

Neil was the Chief Research Editor for Houston Law Review. He was licensed to practice law in Texas in 1984.

  • Texas State Bar

Among other transactions, he has represented clients in connection with: 

  • More than $1 billion of taxable and tax-exempt stadium financing bonds
  • Electric utility system refinancing for multi-city authority
  • Numerous tax-exempt financings of city, county, school district, university, and special district facilities
  • Lawyer of the Year, Houston public finance, Best Lawyers, 2011
  • Acritas Star, Acritas, 2017 – 2021
  • The Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers, 2006 - 2021
  • Texas Top Rated Lawyer, LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell, 2012 – 2018
  • Best Lawyers - Public Finance Law, Best Lawyers, 2022 - 2024
  • "A Case for Public Finance Reform in Texas," 23 Houston Law Review
  • "5(x7) Things You Should Know About Being a Director", Association of Water Board Directors, San Antonio, July 20, 2012
  • "My Opinion, Can I Give It?", National Association of Bond Lawyers, Chicago, October 25, 2011
  • "Texas Public Finance Legislative Review -- 82nd Session", Web Seminar, June 22, 2011
  • Moderator, "Preventing Post-Issuance Bond Blues in Texas," Web Seminar, January 30, 2008
  • "Construction Contracts Short Course for Board Members and Administrators", Dallas, September 30, 2007
  • Legislative Review, Association of Water Board Directors, Corpus Christi, June 23, 2007
  • Co-Chair, Texas Water Law Conference, Houston, April 23-24, 2007
  • "Local Government Retiree Medical Benefits under GASB 45", Web Seminar, October 17, 2006
  • State Bar of Texas
    • School Law Section
    • Administrative and Public Law Section
  • Houston Bar Association
  • National Association of Bond Lawyers
  • American College of Bond Counsel
  • Subcommittee for Comment on TBMA Model Bond Purchase Agreement
  • Armand Bayou Foundation, Board of Trustees
  • Utility District Advisory Corporation, Board of Directors 
  • Texas Association of Water Board Directors, Legislative Committee 
  • North Houston Association, Board of Directors

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