Stephen Sparks practices in all aspects of public finance including general obligation bonds, lease purchase financings, tax anticipation notes, tax increment financing, conduit revenue and private activity bonds, including service as bond counsel and representation of underwriters, issuers, trustees, developers and lenders in credit-enhanced transactions. Mr. Sparks also has experience in real estate development, real estate finance and corporate finance, representing both lenders and developers. He has handled more than $7 billion in tax-exempt financings since July 1995, and more than $10 billion in his 32-year career, involving several hundred bond issues and with a variety of issuers in many states and political subdivisions. He currently represents, on a national basis, the largest apartment REIT in its bond-financed projects. He has substantial experience in FNMA, FMLMC, GNMA and HUD related financings. He has served as outside counsel to the City of Kansas City, Missouri for $2 billion in downtown re-development projects recently developed.

Bar and Court Admissions

Missouri, 1979

United States District Courts for the District of Kansas and Western District of Missouri

Education

University of Missouri-Kansas City, J.D., with distinction, 1979

University of South Florida-New College, B.A., 1976

Speeches and Seminars

Mr. Sparks has periodically been a seminar panelist at Annual Bond Attorneys’ Workshops.

Professional Affiliations

• American Bar Association – Section of Urban, State and Local Government Law, Real Estate and Probate Law
• National Association of Bond Lawyers – served as a member of the Special Committee on Secondary Market Disclosure
• Lawyers Association of Kansas City
• Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association