About Us

South Carolina Bond Attorneys

Howell Linkous & Nettles, LLC is focused on municipal bonds, local government law, economic development incentives, and real estate development and affordable housing finance. We have no desire to be “all things to all people” because our expertise, experience, and interests all relate to governmental function and finance. We understand the frustrations that clients sometimes face with large firms, and our goal is to apply ourselves and our resources to provide our clients with great, efficient service.

Howell Linkous & Nettles is a "Red Book" bond counsel firm recognised by the National Association of Securities Dealers. The firm is rated “AV” by Martindale-Hubbell, and is one of only two law firms in South Carolina which is recognised in Martindale-Hubbell’s Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers for Municipal Bond /Public Authority Financing. All of the firm’s attorneys are members of the National Association of Bond Lawyers. Read more about our attorneys in Our Professionals.

We enjoy a challenge. Our bread and butter includes general obligation bonds, utility revenue bonds, tax increment financings, special assessment bonds (CDDs and MIDs), and private activity bonds (such as industrial development bonds, hospital revenue bonds, and housing revenue or mortgage-backed bonds). But, in addition to traditional long-term bond financings, our bond lawyers have had extensive experience with more innovative structures such as tax-exempt commercial paper, taxable and tax-exempt lease financings, securitisation of loan transactions, tax-exempt cash flow financings, and complex multifamily affordable housing bonds. We also have extensive experience in HOME loan regulations, Federal Home Loan Bank financing, community development block grants, legislation, procurement, HOPE VI, Rural Development loans and guaranties, federal and state tax credits and other state and federal financing sources of affordable housing and community development.

We constantly work to develop techniques to meet the challenges of the rapidly-developing, and often fickle, municipal finance marketplace. For example, our firm was instrumental in the development, along with one forward-thinking investment bank, of the Standby Purchase Agreement to secure bond anticipation notes (BANs). This contract involves a standing obligation of an underwriting firm, for a period of months or even years, to purchase the BANs or bonds of a governmental body, providing the take out necessary for the annual sale and renewal of BANs pending the issuance of bonds to provide permanent financing. This structural feature was noted by one of the rating agencies as important in assigning an investment grade rating to the BANs. Our firm was also the first to successfully structure a Native American tribal bond issue with the backing of an offshore insurance company which does not have the exposure - and related problems - of many of the monoline bond insurers. This structure provides credit enhancement to the tribal government without the financial risks associated with the bond insurers and sub-prime mortgage market. We strongly believe that our unique determination to find financial solutions to the evolving challenges faced by governmental bodies sets us apart.

The offices of Howell Linkous & Nettles are located in the oldest law office in the South, the historic Doctor John Lining House (c. 1694) in the heart of Charleston's legal community and in one of the most historically-significant remaining structures from South Carolina's colonial period. The Lining House is a perfect match for our firm's culture, and we believe it is a similar culture to that of our local government, community based, and Native American tribal clients. We want our clients to see that we are like them; part of a local community. When they visit us in The Lining House, they will see that we are mindful of tradition and history, and not trying to mimic the big Atlanta or Charlotte firms with a lot of chrome and frosted glass. Unlike the large competitor firms, we do not try to impose a "corporate culture" on our clients. We want to understand our clients' culture, and tailor our legal services to accommodate that culture. Read more about the Lining House in Our Office.