Barnes & Thornburg Adds Two Public Finance Partners

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Barnes & Thornburg, a national law firm, has added two new public finance partners to its team. Megan McCarthy joined the firm's Minneapolis office, while Benjamin Vernon joined the Los Angeles office. Both partners bring extensive experience in areas such as tax-exempt private placements, complex restructurings, and financing for mission-driven enterprises in sectors like education, healthcare, and housing.

Why it matters

The additions of McCarthy and Vernon strengthen Barnes & Thornburg's public finance capabilities across key markets, allowing the firm to better serve clients in the government, nonprofit, and private sectors on a range of debt financing matters.

The details

Megan McCarthy focuses on high-yield public and project finance for mission-driven enterprises, with a particular emphasis on education, healthcare, housing, senior living, and innovative project financings. She represents institutional investors, lenders, and purchasers in tax-exempt private placements and complex restructurings. Benjamin Vernon represents cities, counties, school districts, governmental authorities, 501(c)(3) entities, investment banks, and private companies on a variety of tax-exempt and taxable debt financings, with a focus on public infrastructure, higher education, and other municipal projects.

• Barnes & Thornburg announced the new hires on March 9, 2026.