Attorneys

Michelle Kennedy is a member of the Firm’s Public and Private Finance, Municipal, Real Estate Development, Zoning and Land Use and Real Estate Practice Groups. Michelle has served as bond counsel in public finance transactions involving New York State agencies and authorities, municipalities, school districts, and industrial development agencies.  Projects have included infrastructure improvements, new construction and redevelopment, and public works and emergency equipment and vehicle acquisition.   Michelle represents general obligation clients in the issuance of serial bonds, bond anticipation notes and revenue anticipation notes. Michelle is listed in The Bond Buyer’s Municipal Marketplace, the “Red Book”, and is a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers.  Michelle also represents public and private entities and non-profit organizations with respect to grant funding and compliance.

Michelle earned her Juris Doctor degree from The George Washington University Law School, Evening Division, while employed full-time in the United States Department of Justice’s “Outstanding Scholar Program” and assigned to the Antitrust Division, Transportation, Energy and Agriculture Section.  She served as a Summer Law Clerk in the Office of General Counsel for the Central Intelligence Agency.  Michelle earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from The College of William and Mary, graduating cum laude, with majors in English and Government.  Michelle was born and raised in the Albany area and is a graduate of Academy of the Holy Names.

Acted as counsel to multinational corporations and developers in Industrial Development Agency proceedings for new construction projects (resulting in 1200 full time and 950 construction jobs) with direct capital investment of more than two hundred fifty million dollars in Upstate New York communities.  

Acted as bond counsel for school-related financings (greater than three hundred million dollars) and water, wastewater and highway infrastructure-related financings (greater than one hundred million dollars).

New York State Bar
U.S. District Court, N. D. of New York
District of Columbia Bar
State Bar of California
National Association of Bond Lawyers

2012 - Certificate of Recognition awarded by the Upper Unadilla Valley Association for advocacy in the preservation of the environment and beauty of Central New York.

2012 - Certificate of Recognition from Middlefield Neighbors and Otsego County Conservation Assocation for excellence in grassroots environmental advocacy.

2003 - Moot Court Board Member, Government Contracts, The George Washington University Law School.

January 2012 - June 2017 President, Board of Trustees, The Brookwood School, Cooperstown, NY

Pro Bono Counsel, The Angel Network of Cooperstown, Inc.

Kennedy, ML: “The Exercise of Local Control Over Gas Extraction,” Fordham Environmental Law Review, Spring 2011.

Kennedy, ML: “Smith International, Inc. and Schlumberger Ltd Convicted of Criminal Contempt.” Competition Matters (publication of the United States Department of Justice, Antitrust Division), April 2000.

Presentations
Kennedy, ML: “Land Use Issues for Local Communities Confronted with Heavy Industry,” Sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension, April 6, 2011 in Cooperstown, NY.

Kennedy, ML: “Land and Road Use Issues for Local Communities Confronted with Heavy Industry,” Sponsored by Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce and Otsego County Conservation Association, April 9, 2011 in Cooperstown, NY.

Kennedy, ML: “Public Private Partnerships and Eminent Domain,” Sponsored by the Village of Sharon Springs, VOA Dinner, May 22, 2013 in Sharon Springs, NY.

The George Washington University Law School, Washington, DC Juris Doctor.

The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA Bachelor of Arts, Majors in English and Government, graduated cum laude.