Stephen S. Sparks
Stephen S. Sparks
Stephen S. Sparks
Biography
Steve 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, lenders in credit-enhanced transactions and purchasers of municipal bonds in direct placements. Mr. Sparks also has experience in real estate development, real estate finance and corporate finance, representing both lenders and developers. He has been lead counsel for more than $15 billion in bond issues and finance transactions his 42-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. Mr. Sparks regularly served as outside counsel to the City of Kansas City, Missouri, including $2 billion in downtown redevelopment projects since 2004. He has experience in public-private partnerships and in the representation of parties in defaulted transactions, including Chapter 9 bankruptcy proceedings. Mr. Sparks was named 'Lawyer of the Year' in 2014 for Public Finance Law - Kansas City, MO by The Best Lawyers in America and is regularly recognized by Chambers, SuperLawyers and Best Lawyers.
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 Committees on Secondary Market Disclosure and Securities Law
- Lawyers Association of Kansas City
- Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
Admissions
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Missouri, 1979
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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
Related Capabilities
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Financial Regulation Compliance & Investigations
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Sports & Event Financing
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Funds Finance
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Contract, Endorsement & Celebrity Representation
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Anti-Doping
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Sports & Event Venue Real Estate Infrastructure & Operation
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Naming Rights & Sponsorship
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Sports & Entertainment M&A
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Sports, Media & Entertainment Litigation
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Collegiate Sports
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Sports, Media & Entertainment
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Entertainment Industry
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Workouts & Financial Restructuring
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Wealth Management
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Subchapter S
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Going Private
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Community Banking Litigation
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De Novo Banking
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Olympic & National Governing Bodies
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Professional Sports Team Representation
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Financial Institutions
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Regulation, Compliance & Advisory
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Financial Services Corporate & Regulatory Team
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Corporate
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Finance
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Litigation & Dispute Resolution
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Real Estate
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Commercial Real Estate
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Investigations
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Financial Services
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Infrastructure
Resources
Speaking Engagements
Mr. Sparks has periodically been a seminar panelist at Annual Bond Attorneys’ Workshops.
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