Keisha S. Palmer

(she/her/hers)

Partner

  • Overview

    Biography

    Keisha Palmer focuses her practice on all aspects of financing activities for entities or projects that can benefit from tax-advantaged obligations. As a member of the firm's Business Transactions Group, Keisha advises issuers on structuring their transactions to ensure obligations are validly issued and the interest thereon is exempt from federal and state income tax where possible. She assists underwriters of governmental securities with compliance with applicable disclosure and securities laws. Keisha currently serves as partner in charge of the firm's Hartford office.

    Public Finance

    Keisha assists public and private entities in understanding the complexities inherent in transactions involving tax-advantaged obligations. She represents state, municipal, and Indian tribal governments in the issuance of tax-exempt and taxable general obligation bonds and other debt obligations. She serves as bond counsel to issuers of 501(c)(3) bonds, qualified private activity bonds, revenue bonds, tax credit bonds, lease financings, and conduit borrowings. Keisha's work as bond counsel encompasses, among other things, drafting bond authorizations, negotiating indentures, advising clients on refunding transactions, arbitrage rebate liability, changes in use of bond-financed facilities, restructuring tax-exempt obligations due to financial distress, and guiding clients through Internal Revenue Service examinations of bond issues. She represents the State of Connecticut as bond counsel and lead tax counsel. Keisha has assisted municipalities with multi-million dollar bond financings in connection with a variety of projects, such as the construction of a minor league baseball stadium and construction or renovations of various facilities including housing, hospitals and other health care facilities, higher education, private schools, not-for-profit organizations, waste disposal facilities, and water pollution control facilities. As counsel to a large municipality, she drafted model language for proposed amendments to the General Statutes of Connecticut concerning the establishment and governance of stormwater authorities within the State of Connecticut.

    General Corporate Services

    Keisha advises clients on general corporate matters, such as issues related to governance and general contracting. She regularly advises quasi-public agencies with respect to compliance with statutes, procedures, bylaws and other applicable governing documents, including compliance with the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act.

    During law school, Keisha represented low-income taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service and the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services as part of the University of Connecticut School of Law's Low-Income Tax Clinic. She also represented indigent clients in appeals of criminal convictions as part of the University of Connecticut School of Law's Criminal Appellate Clinic. As part of the Connecticut Urban Legal Initiative, Keisha advised tax-exempt organizations on corporate structure, fundraising, and qualifying for and maintaining tax-exempt status.

    She has been selected as a Rising Star to the Connecticut Super Lawyers list from 2013 to 2019. 

     

  • Experience
    • Experience

      Experience

      • Represent the State of Connecticut as tax counsel on the issuance of over $16.2 billion of general obligation bonds and notes, including refunding bonds, economic recovery notes, working capital financings, general obligation bonds issued as qualified 501(c)(3) bonds, and bank credit facilities.

      • Represent the State of Connecticut as bond counsel on the issuance of over a billion dollars of general obligation bonds.

      • Represented a bridge and highway authority in connection with the issuance of $60 million Motor Fuel Tax Revenue Bond Anticipation Notes, consisting of a variable rate drawdown facility in the amount of $30 million and a fixed term loan for $30 million.

      • Assisted a municipality in the formation of a recreational facility authority and advised on the tax structure of its lease revenue bonds issued to finance a minor league baseball stadium.

      • Represented a water pollution control authority on the issuance of its $77.5 million Wastewater System Revenue Refunding Bonds, leading to nearly $6 million in client savings.

      • Served as underwriters’ counsel to a multinational bank in connection with a state’s restructuring of its outstanding tobacco settlement asset-backed bonds. 

      • Represented a municipality as bond counsel on the issuance of $124.6 million to assist the municipality in the restructuring of its debt resulting in debt service savings of more than $55 million over a five year period.

      • Represented state and municipal governments before the Internal Revenue Service during the audit of various bonds issues, each concluding successfully with the issuance of “no-change” letters to the issuers.

      • Represented numerous municipal housing authorities and redevelopment agencies on financings for housing projects throughout Connecticut. 

      • Represented numerous universities, colleges, private secondary schools, and healthcare entities in financings for capital projects throughout Connecticut. 

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    • Professional Associations

      Professional Associations

      National Association of Bond Lawyers
      Section 103 Editorial Board (2019 - Present)

      American Bar Association

      George W. Crawford Black Bar Association
      Board of Directors (2011 - 2013)

      Connecticut Bar Association

      Connecticut Association of Municipal Attorneys

      Government Finance Officers Association

      Northeast Women in Public Finance
      Member, Board of Directors (2020 - Present)

      Connecticut Bar Foundation
      James W. Cooper Fellow (2018 - Present)
    • Honors + Awards

      Honors + Awards

      Hartford Business Journal 2022 "Women in Business" Honoree 

      Selected as a Rising Star to the Connecticut Super Lawyers list from 2013 to 2019.

      Robinson+Cole Community Service Award Recipient, 2016

      Connecticut Law Tribune, recognized in 2014 New Leaders in the Law Yearbook

      Recognized in the special section "Lawyers of Color: High Achievers,"Connecticut Law Tribune, 2011

      Judge Jerrold H. Barnett '54 Scholarship for Criminal Appellate Advocacy

      University of Connecticut, Nina E. Olsen & Janet Spragens Low Income Taxpayer Clinic Award for outstanding representation of low-income taxpayers

      University of Connecticut, Dean's Scholar

      Robinson+Cole Mentor of the Year Award Recipient, 2018

      American Bar Association Commission on Immigration 2022 Pro Bono Champion

      Chosen as one of the 2023 honorees for "The 100 Women of Color Gala & Awards"

    • Community Involvement

      Community Involvement

      University of Connecticut School of Law/Robinson & Cole LLP Summer Law Institute

      Hartford Federal Credit Union
      Board of Directors

      Connecticut Retirement Security Authority
      Board of Directors (2015 - 2023)
  • NEWS + PRESS
    • Publications

      Publications

      "Emerging Trends in the Financing of Project Development and Building Delivery Systems," co-authored with Lisa Andrzejewski, published in The Future of the Design and Construction Industry: Construction Industry Conversations (June 2018)

    • Presentations

      Presentations

      "Post-Issuance Tax Compliance," co-presented with David M. Panico, Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA) webinar (6/28/2023)
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      "The 10th Anniversary of The Attorneys of Color Symposium: A Celebration of Progress and Perseverance," co-hosted by the Connecticut Bar Foundation's James W. Cooper Fellows and Quinnipiac University School of Law (6/29/2022)
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      "Private Activity Bond Tests," presented during the National Association of Bond Lawyers' "The Workshop: Hybrid 2021, Navigating a Changing World, Together (Actually and Virtually)" (10/14/2021)
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      "Leases & Other Non-Traditional Financings" and "IRS Issues & Enforcement," as part of the 2018 Fundamentals of Municipal Bond Law Seminar (April 25-27, 2018)
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      "The Commissioner's Side: IRS Examinations, Voluntary Compliance Programs, and Outreach," at the 42nd Annual Bond Attorneys' Workshop in Chicago (October 4, 5, and 6, 2017)
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      "The IRS Opens the Door for Long Term Management Contracts," co-presented with Christie D. Jean and Glenn A. Santoro, at the Connecticut Association of Water Pollution Control Authorities (CAWPCA) Spring Workshop in Plantsville, Connecticut (5/18/2017)

      "Charting Your Course: Completing an Individual Development Plan," panelist, at the Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity's (LCD) 5th Annual Building Careers Symposium in New Britain, Connecticut (6/17/2015)

      "The Changing Regulatory Environment," at Housing 2011, the annual conference of the Connecticut Housing Coalition, co-presented with Norman H. Roos (10/19/2011)

    • News

      R+C in the News

      • September 11, 2023

        Keisha Palmer Honored During “100 Women of Color Gala & Awards”

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      • December 7, 2022

        Keisha Palmer Among Bond Buyer’s 2022 Trailblazing Women of the Year

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      • November 17, 2022

        Keisha Palmer Recognized as a Pro Bono Champion by American Bar Association Commission on Immigration

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      • May 24, 2019

        Keisha Palmer Attends the 16th Annual Latinas and Power Symposium

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      • January 28, 2019

        Robinson+Cole Hosts UConn Law Alumni Association “Breakfast Brief”

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      • January 15, 2019

        Keisha Palmer Appointed to NABL Section 103 Editorial Board

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      • November 15, 2018

        Robinson+Cole Featured in Connecticut Law Tribune Article on Mentoring

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      • October 18, 2018

        51 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

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      • August 24, 2018

        Je'Quana Orr and Keisha Palmer featured in UConn Today Article on Summer Mock Trial Program

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      • June 21, 2018

        Keisha Palmer Co-Authors Chapter in Construction Industry Book

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      • May 18, 2018

        Keisha Palmer Presents at NABL Seminar

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      • May 15, 2018

        Five Robinson+Cole Lawyers Selected as James W. Cooper Fellows of the Connecticut Bar Foundation

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      • October 18, 2017

        Keisha Palmer Presents at Annual Bond Attorneys' Workshop

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      • May 30, 2017

        R+C Lawyers Serve as Presenters and Panelist at Connecticut Association of Water Pollution Control Authorities Workshop

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      • January 24, 2017

        Keisha Palmer Appointed to Connecticut Retirement Security Authority Board

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      • December 27, 2016

        Keisha Palmer Featured in CLT Interview

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      • June 6, 2016

        Robinson+Cole Sponsors George W. Crawford Black Bar Association's 2016 Annual Dinner

      • November 11, 2015

        Public Finance Lawyers Organize NEWPF Event

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      • June 24, 2015

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Take Part in LCD Symposium

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      • November 18, 2014

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Honored as “New Leaders in the Law” at Celebration Dinner

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      • November 17, 2014

        Robinson+Cole Attends Hartford Public High School Law and Government Academy Swearing In Ceremony

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      • May 16, 2014

        Robinson+Cole Sponsors Crawford 2014 Annual Dinner

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      • May 16, 2014

        Keisha Palmer Elected to Federal Credit Union Board

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      • May 28, 2013

        Robinson+Cole Sponsors Crawford Annual Dinner

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      • May 6, 2013

        Keisha Palmer Reelected to Crawford's Board of Directors

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      • March 20, 2013

        Keisha Palmer Participates in Diversity Roundtable Discussion at UConn School of Law

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      • June 22, 2012

        Associates Support Greater Hartford Arts Council Fundraiser

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      • May 23, 2012

        Keisha Palmer Elected to George W. Crawford Black Bar Association Board

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      • May 10, 2012

        Robinson & Cole Stands Against Racism

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      • November 2, 2011

        Robinson & Cole Lawyers Participating in Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity Mentoring Program

      • October 28, 2011

        Finance Attorneys Discuss Dodd–Frank and SAFE Acts at Affordable Housing Conference

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      • September 30, 2011

        Connecticut Law Tribune Recognizes Four Robinson & Cole Attorneys

      • May 10, 2011

        Keisha Palmer Elected to Federal Credit Union Board

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      • August 25, 2010

        CT Law Tribune features UCONN School of Law/Robinson & Cole Summer Law Institute

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      • June 22, 2010

        Robinson & Cole Attorney Selected for Neighborhood Arts & Heritage Grants Panel

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      • June 16, 2010

        Robinson & Cole Attorney Appointed to Supervisory Committee of Hartford Federal Credit Union

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      • April 26, 2010

        Attorneys Represent Robinson & Cole at George W. Crawford Black Bar Association Annual Dinner

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      • April 21, 2010

        Robinson & Cole Attorneys Volunteer through Junior Achievement at Parkville Community School

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      • December 30, 2009

        Robinson & Cole Attorneys Volunteer through Junior Achievement at Parkville Community School

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      R+C News Releases

      • April 20, 2022

        Keisha Palmer Named to Hartford Business Journal’s 2022 “Women in Business” Class

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      • October 19, 2019

        52 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

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      • August 13, 2018

        Robinson+Cole Presents Annual Awards for Outstanding Contributions

      • March 30, 2018

        Robinson+Cole Employees Lend a Hand to Foodshare

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      • December 11, 2017

        Robinson+Cole Elects New Partners

      • October 17, 2017

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

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      • October 18, 2016

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

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      • September 13, 2016

        Robinson+Cole Presents Annual Awards for Dedication and Outstanding Contributions

      • October 19, 2015

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

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      • October 17, 2014

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers

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      • October 2, 2014

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Named “New Leaders in the Law”

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      • June 21, 2013

        Local Organizations Recognize Robinson & Cole’s Pro Bono Service

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      • June 15, 2011

        Robinson & Cole Hosts Summer Interns from the Law and Government Academy at Hartford High School

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    • Legal Updates/Newsletters

      Legal Updates/Newsletters

      "Higher Interest Rates Create Opportunity and Potential Liability" co-authored with David M. Panico, Glenn A. Santoro, Christie D. Jean and Garrett S. Shaikh (8/15/2023)

      "Amendments to Continuing Disclosure Obligations Under Rule 15c2-12" co-authored with David M. Panico and Glenn A. Santoro (2/1/2019)