Recognized by LSEG (formerly Refinitiv) as one of Missouri’s top five bond counsel for seven consecutive years, Lori Lea is widely respected for her work in public finance and nonprofit finance. Since 2019, she has participated in more than 747 financing transactions totaling over $2.4 billion, serving as bond counsel, disclosure counsel, underwriter’s counsel, placement agent counsel, bank counsel, borrower’s counsel, and issuer’s counsel in tax-exempt and taxable financings.
Her public finance and nonprofit finance practice includes representing:
- Cities, counties, municipalities, and school districts
- Nonprofit and 501(c)(3) organizations
- Banks and financial institutions
- Underwriters and placement agents
- Developers and other financing participants
Lori Lea advises clients on:
- General obligation bonds
- Lease purchase financings
- Refunding transactions
- Tax anticipation and revenue financings
- Direct-purchase and private-placement financings
- Tax-exempt borrowings for nonprofit organizations
- Tax levy and election matters
- Securities disclosure and compliance matters
- Federal tax issues affecting tax-exempt obligations
She has extensive experience assisting charitable, educational, cultural, and community-based organizations in obtaining and structuring financing for facilities, capital improvements, expansions, and long-term strategic initiatives. Her work as borrower’s counsel allows nonprofit organizations to access capital while navigating the legal, tax, and regulatory requirements associated with tax-exempt financing.
In addition to her public finance practice, Lori Lea has spent more than three decades advising privately held companies, business owners, investors, and family enterprises. She regularly counsels clients regarding:
- Business formation and governance
- Partnerships and limited liability companies
- Corporate finance and capital-raising transactions
- Debt and equity financings
- Mergers, acquisitions, and restructurings
- Leveraged buyouts
- Shareholder and buy-sell agreements
- Private placement securities offerings
- Succession planning
- General business and strategic counseling
Her clients operate across a broad range of industries, including consumer goods, manufacturing, real estate and development, technology, professional services, and family-owned businesses.
Lori Lea also maintains a substantial trusts and estates practice. She advises individuals and families regarding estate planning, wealth preservation, trust administration, probate matters, charitable giving strategies, business succession planning, and multigenerational wealth transfer. Her combined experience in business law, taxation, and estate planning enables her to develop integrated solutions for business owners and families seeking to preserve and transition wealth across generations.
Beyond her legal practice, Lori Lea has dedicated significant time to supporting the arts and nonprofit communities in the St. Louis region. Through board service, executive committee leadership roles, and volunteer involvement with organizations including COCA (Center of Creative Arts), the Saint Louis Art Guild, and the Saint Louis Art Museum, she has gained first-hand insight into the governance, fundraising, strategic-planning, and operational challenges faced by nonprofit and cultural institutions. This experience enhances her ability to provide practical, informed counsel to mission-driven organizations.
Clients value Lori Lea’s ability to combine sophisticated legal knowledge with sound business judgment. Whether serving as bond counsel for a public financing, advising a nonprofit organization’s board, guiding a business owner through a transition, or helping a family develop a legacy plan, she is known for providing thoughtful advice, practical solutions, and a steadfast commitment to achieving her clients’ objectives.
