Benjamin J. Brooks

Benjamin Brooks is a Partner in the Corporate Practice of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP.

Mr. Brooks has practiced in Smith, Gambrell & Russell's Public Finance group since 1998. In addition to traditional local government finance, Mr. Brooks has particular experience in public school finance, 501(c)(3) bonds, manufacturing facility bonds, tax-exempt leasing, variable rate demand bonds, post-issuance tax compliance issues, local government financial incentives and tax reduction bonds.

He regularly serves as bond counsel, underwriter's counsel, credit enhancer's counsel and borrower's counsel. Mr. Brooks also represents corporate trustees in initial bond issuance as well as post-default matters.

Mr. Brooks represents manufacturing companies which are relocating or expanding, with a heavy emphasis on foreign direct investment. Mr. Brooks negotiates incentive packages with state and local governments and helps companies successfully implement promised incentives.

Mr. Brooks served as company counsel and bond counsel on six separate tax abatement bond issues for Kia Motors, Glovis and Powertech at Kia's West Point, Georgia plant totaling in excess of $2 billion. He recently represented a foreign manufacturing company making a U.S. investment of $600 million with a state and local incentive package worth over $50 million. Mr. Brooks also recently served as bond counsel for the Heard County, Georgia School District for tax-exempt bond issues and a taxable "Build America Bond" transaction totaling more than $25 million.

Mr. Brooks is a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers and the Local Government Section of the State Bar of Georgia. He is a graduate of the Regional Leadership Institute for the Metro Atlanta region.

Mr. Brooks received his B.A. degree from Brigham Young University in 1995 and his J.D. degree, with honors, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1998. While attending law school, he served as an Articles Editor of the North Carolina Journal of International Law and Commercial Regulation.