FBT Gibbons’ Houston and Columbus offices have added two experienced public finance attorneys to the firm’s Public Finance practice group: Martina Hinojosa, who joins as a partner in Houston, and Kevin O’Donnell Stanek, who joins as a partner in Columbus. The additions bolster the firm’s public finance capabilities in Texas and Ohio and further strengthen its national bond counsel and underwriter’s counsel platform.
“Martina and Kevin joining our firm reflects our continued investment in two active and opportunity-rich public finance markets in the country,” said Denise Lund, leader of the firm’s Public Finance practice group. “Texas continues to see significant demand for affordable housing, education, and infrastructure financing, and Ohio remains a critical market for state and local economic development initiatives. Both attorneys bring the government insight, market credibility, and entrepreneurial drive that will allow us to deepen client relationships and continue expanding our presence in these regions.”
Joining FBT Gibbons from Bracewell, Hinojosa focuses her practice on the issuance of governmental and nonprofit bonds, public-private partnerships, and tax and securities law compliance. She regularly serves as bond counsel, borrower’s counsel, disclosure counsel and underwriter’s counsel in a wide range of financings, including general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, tax increment financings, private placement notes and bonds, lease transactions and letters of credit. She also provides general counsel services to governmental entities and nonprofit organizations.
“South Texas is a relationship-driven and rapidly growing public finance market,” said Hinojosa. “Since entering private practice here in 2022, I have built a substantial practice across affordable housing, higher education, school districts, utility districts and tax increment reinvestment zones — sectors where infrastructure demand and development activity remain robust. FBT Gibbons provides a collaborative platform and national reach that will allow me to deepen my work in these areas, expand cross-office opportunities, and leverage my relationships with underwriters and market participants to deliver even greater value to clients.”
Stanek joins the firm’s Columbus office from Barnes & Thornburg and brings more than a decade of experience spanning public finance, local economic development, government services, and senior state government leadership. He has served as bond and disclosure counsel on bond offerings for various political subdivisions in Ohio, has represented various entities on economic development deals, and represents clients before the Ohio General Assembly, executive agencies and state boards and commissions on regulatory, budgetary and policy matters.
“Ohio’s public finance environment is highly influenced by legislative priorities, budget cycles and complex regulatory requirements,” said Stanek. “Joining FBT Gibbons allows me to leverage my government experience to help clients navigate these challenges, advance critical financing and economic development projects, and achieve practical results across the state.”
Interspersed with his time in private practice, Stanek served as Chief Legal Counsel for the Ohio House of Representatives and as Assistant Chief Counsel and Assistant Policy Director for Asset Management for Ohio Governor John Kasich. In those roles, he advised on legislative strategy, budget development, public records compliance, ethics matters and the oversight of state agencies, providing him with deep insight into the policy and fiscal considerations that drive public finance and economic development initiatives.
FBT Gibbons’ Public Finance team provides project and economic development insights and advice to borrowing entities, banks and numerous state, county, and local governmental entities throughout our footprint, including the counties, cities and school districts of Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Texas, and West Virginia as well as other states across the country. The firm has experience with all interrelated areas of infrastructure finance, including municipal finance, economic development and redevelopment, real estate finance, securitizations, and public-private partnerships.
About FBT Gibbons
FBT Gibbons LLP is a national law firm focused on serving companies operating and investing in the middle market. With nearly 800 lawyers across 25 offices, the firm is positioned to support clients ranging from large multinationals to mid-sized businesses and growth-oriented startups across the United States. FBT Gibbons provides legal counsel enriched with valuable business and market context, particularly in corporate, litigation, and regulatory matters within the energy, finance, life sciences, and manufacturing sectors. The firm is committed to delivering excellent service to its clients, colleagues, and the communities in which it operates. To learn more, visit FBTGibbons.com.