ALUMNI INTRODUCE PENN STATE DICKINSON LAW STUDENTS TO PUBLIC FINANCE CAREERS AT CARLISLE EVENT
May 2025 — Public finance attorneys play a critical role in helping to shape infrastructure projects through securities and public finance law. At a recent event titled “Bonds and Bites: Municipal Finance Careers & Reception,” Penn State Dickinson Law students heard from and conversed with practitioners in this area, sparking deep conversations.
Four Penn State Dickinson Law alumni sat on the panel, which was sponsored by the Pennsylvania Association of Bond Lawyers (PABL) in conjunction with McNees Wallace & Nurick and Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott. Their discussion touched on public finance law’s high-stakes deals, sophisticated transactions, and dynamic career paths available at top firms.
The April 24 event was held in Carlisle and also offered as a livestream. It drew students interested in high-level financial transactions, public-private partnerships, and complex bond deals as well as those without previous knowledge of the sector.
“When I was a law student starting my career, I had no idea what a municipal or public finance attorney was or what they did,” said Jennifer M. Caron ’05, member at Eckert Seamans. “I got into it by chance. My managing partner at the time asked me if I liked math, and I said, ‘Yes, I took advanced math courses in school.’ I came to learn that there was a lot more involved with municipal finance than math. I found it absolutely fascinating. I enjoyed learning how projects like new school buildings or athletic facilities came to be financed and the legal work that was involved.”
“Few people come into law school saying, ‘I want to do municipal law as a career,’ but once they gain exposure to law firms and see the different practice areas, students realize this is a very desirable and competitive niche to break into,” said Tom Lee, director of Penn State Dickinson Law Career Services, which coordinated the event. “We are providing this preview to law students now so that they do not learn about this area five or 10 years into their career.”
‘What is it like to be a public finance attorney?’
The event began with the panelists explaining how they became involved with public finance law. Indeed, none of them intended upon that career path when they arrived at Penn State Dickinson Law.
In addition to Caron, the panel included Timothy J. Horstmann ’07, who recently joined Eckert Seamans as a member in the public finance practice; Shawn W. Weis ’96, chief counsel at the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST); and Jonathan W. Cox ’06, member and co-chair, public finance, at Eckert Seamans. After introducing themselves, the panelists addressed a question put forth by Caron: “What is it like to be a public finance attorney?”
Everyone came to their career through different paths and found value in different aspects of their work. Horstmann started in tax law, then moved to public finance when his previous firm sought to fill an open associate position. He highlighted the sense of accomplishment public finance attorneys feel after finishing a project.
Weis has been at PENNVEST for two decades. “I work for a $13 billion institution, and I spend my day cash flow modeling, looking at balance sheets, and figuring out how a program is going to be successful,” said Weis. She advised students to be open to any opportunities coming their way, noting that she never expected to be involved in wastewater and drinking water projects. “If you come out of law school and think you have a specific path laid out for your career, you will be surprised where you end up,” said Weis.
Cox said he enjoyed the variety the practice offers. “Every day is different. We have a very diverse client base in terms of types of transactions. We also represent lenders, both commercial banks and private equity firms, as well as underwriters and investment bankers,” said Cox.
Horstmann noted that the public finance bar is aging. He hoped the panel and similar events PABL hopes to sponsor would spark more interest among young people in the sector. “It is a practice many overlook because they may view it as difficult,” said Horstmann. “It involves a lot of different disciplines, but at the same time, that is one of the reasons I like it. It gives me opportunities to do transactional work, which I enjoy, but I also go to a lot of meetings, so I have opportunities to get out from behind the desk and speak publicly.”
Caron echoed Horstmann’s concern about attracting younger attorneys to this bar. “We see a lot of the older public finance attorneys retiring,” said Caron, who also serves on the Lower Allen Township Board of Commissioners. “It is essential we encourage the younger attorneys to continue in this practice.”
Panelists addressed other challenges the field currently faces, such as market conditions, tax exemptions, and regulatory challenges. After answering student questions related to expert witnesses, official statements, and other matters, all the attendees enjoyed a delicious post-event food and drink spread.
“I hope students walk away from this panel with a basic knowledge of what we do and an understanding that there are lots of ways you can work in this field,” said Horstmann.
“It is an honor to return to Penn State Dickinson Law, serve on this panel, and help law students navigate their future career paths,” said Caron.
