Biography
Rick Witte leads Jackson Walker’s Public Finance practice group. With more than 35 years of experience, Rick provides counsel on tax-exempt and taxable bond transactions for school districts, junior college districts, cities, counties, state agencies, economic development corporations, and special authorities throughout Texas.
Rick serves as bond counsel, bank counsel, purchaser’s counsel, disclosure counsel, and underwriters’ counsel. Rick has extensive experience with education, infrastructure financings, and economic development. He has also represented various local governments on special projects, including legislative and investment matters.
Education
B.A., Knox College
J.D., University of Iowa
Bar Admissions
Texas
- Bond counsel to a fast-growth independent school district in connection with the issuance of more than $2.5 billion of bonds since 1999
- Bond counsel to a large Texas independent school district in connection with the issuance and/or remarketing of more than $1 billion in bonds since 2017
- Bond counsel to a fast-growth Texas city in connection with the issuance of more than $850 million of bonds and certificates of obligation since 2000
- Underwriters’ counsel on more than $3 billion of bonds and refunding bonds issued by Texas independent schools districts, junior college districts, and cities since 2000
- Disclosure counsel to an independent school district in connection with the issuance of more than $1.8 billion in bonds since 2017
- Purchasers’ counsel and bank counsel to numerous national and regional commercial banks in connection with the purchase of bonds and notes for their portfolio, and in connection with the provision of letters of credit and liquidity facilities related to public finance transactions.
The above representations were handled by Mr. Witte prior to his joining Jackson Walker.
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Public Finance Law, 2006-2024
- Best Lawyers, “Lawyer of the Year,” Public Finance Law in Houston, 2015
- “Texas’ Top Rated Lawyers,” ALM, Administrative Law, 2012
- American College of Bond Counsel, Fellow
Publications
- Quoted in “Six Texas Firms Among Nation’s Busiest Dealmaking Firms,” Texas Lawyer (June 1, 2017)
- Inside the Minds™ “Public Finance Settlements and Negotiations – Breaking Down a Diverse Field” Aspatore Books (2006)
Speaking Engagements
- Municipal Advisory Council of Texas Conference and 63rd Annual Meeting (October 12, 2017)
- The Bond Buyer’s 20th Annual Texas Public Finance Conference (February 1, 2016)
- Municipal Advisory Council of Texas Conference and 61st Annual Meeting (October 29, 2015)
- Municipalities Continuing Disclosure Cooperation Update (August 8, 2015)
- “Overview of Public Law Legislation Passed During the 82nd Legislative Session,” Estrada Hinojosa Annual Compliance Conference (August 25, 2011)
- Role of Bond Counsel in a Texas City Financing (April 6, 2006)
- Industry presentation at the Texas Municipal Clerks Program (2006)
August 17, 2023
Attorney News‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
June 20, 2023
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Welcomes Public Finance Group With More Than $200 Billion in Experience
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the arrival of a new Public Finance practice group based in our Houston office. With more than 140 years of collective experience, the group has represented clients in more than $200 billion of public finance transactions.