David Narefsky

Practice Areas

David Narefsky has had an active role in high-profile PPP transactions, with particular responsibility for governmental and regulatory aspects. David was recognized as a 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” for Government Relations Practice in The Best Lawyers in America and has also been referred by Chambers USA as “one of the best public-sector lawyers in Chicago.” He advised the Puerto Rico Public Private Partnerships Authority on the proposed long-term concession and lease of Luis Muñoz Marín Airport in San Juan and the City of Chicago on the proposed long-term concession and lease of Midway Airport.

David was named a 2018 “Dealmaker of the Year” by The American Lawyer, recognizing his work on financing the rehabilitation of the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Red/Purple mass transit lines among the “deals that mattered most in 2017.” He also advised the underwriters of the issuance of $400 million private activity bonds to finance a portion of the cost of construction of the Denver FasTracks Eagle P3 Project. This project was named 2010 North American Transport Deal of the Year by Project Finance Magazine and 2010 Regional Deal of the Year by The Bond Buyer. David was named a “Dealmaker of the Year” by The American Lawyer for his work on the Denver FasTracks financing.

David led our representation of WVB East End Partners, the winning bidder for the East End Crossing in Louisville/Southern Indiana, and is leading our representation of a short-listed proposer for the Portsmouth Bypass in Ohio. He is also advising the Texas Department of Transportation on the implementation of innovative financing strategy for Grand Parkway Toll Road in the Houston metro area, including successful closing of an $850 million TIFIA loan. Prior transactions include advising the City of Chicago on the $1.83 billion concession and lease of the Chicago Skyway Toll Bridge and on the $563 million concession and lease of the more than 9,000 space Chicago downtown underground parking garage system.

A 1979 graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, he served as Deputy Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago, where he managed the transactional and commercial legal work of the City, before joining Mayer Brown in 1989. His practice at Mayer Brown has included the representation of Chicago-area governments in the financing of convention center and sport stadium facilities, mass transportation projects and representation in public finance offerings.