Parker Poe Hires Public Finance Counsel in Raleigh
The firm expands its debt and tax-exempt financing capabilities to support government and institutional clients in the region.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Utilities
Parker Poe has hired Connor Crews as counsel to lead public finance legal services in Raleigh and South Carolina. Crews, formerly of McGuireWoods, brings experience in bond, underwriter, and bank counsel work.
Why it matters
Law firms are bolstering public finance teams to navigate the complex tax-exempt and regulatory requirements inherent in government and education infrastructure projects. Hiring experienced counsel helps ensure compliance for municipalities and institutional borrowers.
Parker Poe expanded its Raleigh-based legal team with the addition of one new counsel, Connor Crews, to manage bond and tax-exempt financing matters. This move builds upon the firm's capacity to serve as underwriter and borrower counsel across two state jurisdictions.
The players
Parker Poe
A law firm providing legal services to businesses and government entities with a significant presence in the Carolinas.
Connor Crews
A counsel specializing in public finance law with experience at McGuireWoods and the University of North Carolina School of Government.
McGuireWoods
A large, international law firm where Connor Crews previously practiced.
The details
As counsel, Crews serves as an advisor on legal matters involving bond issuance, bank financing, and tax-exempt projects. The role includes representing entities in public finance, including governments, education sectors, and solid waste disposal programs. By managing the legal complexities of these financial structures, the firm supports clients in meeting the specific disclosure and regulatory mandates required for institutional debt markets.
Timeline
October 22, 2026: The hiring of Connor Crews was announced.
Market Landscape
This move follows the industry trend of regional law firms recruiting specialized public finance attorneys to manage increasingly complex municipal and educational debt instruments. The strategy reflects a broader competitive push to secure mandates for high-stakes government and tax-exempt project financing.
Operators in the education or government sectors should monitor legal staffing changes as indicators of their firm's capacity to handle public finance bond work. Organizations evaluating or re-issuing municipal debt should review current legal counsel partnerships to ensure they align with upcoming financing needs.
The takeaway
Staffing updates in public finance signal a firm's commitment to specialized tax and bond compliance, which can directly affect the timeline of capital projects. Review your current legal service agreements to ensure your firm has the necessary expertise for your upcoming fiscal year financing schedule.
Further reading
For broader trends in regional infrastructure and financing regulations, see the Utilities section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Bond Buyer.
