Barnes & Thornburg Continues Public Finance Expansion With Addition of Four More Lawyers in Three Offices

New laterals bring a total of 39 lawyers to join the firm’s burgeoning Public Finance and Infrastructure team across 10 offices

March 9, 2026 — In a continuation of one of the largest “Big Law” lateral acquisitions in at least the past year, Barnes & Thornburg welcomes partners Megan McCarthy in Minneapolis and Benjamin Vernon in Los Angeles, as well as counsel Donna Brady in Los Angeles and associate Garrett Shaikh in the firm’s newly opened Phoenix office.

Their arrival is part of the firm’s previously announced addition of 35 lawyers, including 25 partners, to its Government Services and Finance Department across 10 offices, including three new markets in Baltimore, Denver and Phoenix. With the addition of now these 39 lateral attorneys, Barnes & Thornburg becomes one of the top firms advising private and public sector clients on complex public finance deals and advancing infrastructure projects.

“We couldn’t be happier with how the integration of this group has gone so far,” said Managing Partner Andrew J. Detherage. “The new team adds enhanced sophistication, significant depth and new capabilities across our Public Finance and Infrastructure teams. We are looking forward to the continued growth and achievements of this combined group.”

Led by Valarie Allen, the group joined from Ballard Spahr, where they were ranked regularly by The Bond Buyer in the top 10 nationally by dollar volume of bond issuances as bond and underwriter counsel. They have been nationally and internationally recognized for advancing many of the largest and most complex alternative project delivery — including public-private partnership (P3) — infrastructure projects in the nation.

Based in Minneapolis, McCarthy focuses on high-yield public and project finance for mission-driven enterprises — from startups to distressed credit funds — with a particular emphasis on education, healthcare, housing, senior living and innovative project financings. McCarthy represents institutional investors, lenders and purchasers in tax-exempt private placements and complex restructurings.

Vernon practices in Los Angeles, representing 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. He focuses his practice on public infrastructure, higher education, multifamily and affordable housing and public-private partnership projects.

Brady's experience in Los Angeles includes traditional and innovative procurement, financing, and administration of infrastructure projects, including public-private partnership (P3) projects.

Shaikh focuses his practice in Phoenix on public finance and infrastructure matters,  and represents state and local governments, state agencies, broker-dealers, and other organizations in public finance matters.

“I am so pleased that Megan, Ben, Donna and Garrett are joining us at Barnes & Thornburg, where we can continue to build this critical practice,” said Allen, who now serves as department vice chair of the firm’s Government and Services Department. “They will be valuable contributors to our goals of supporting sophisticated and collaborative work and developing and maintaining longstanding relationships with clients.”

Barnes & Thornburg provides comprehensive legal services to participants in public finance transactions for both public and public-private projects. The firm regularly serves as bond counsel or counsel to underwriters, issuers, borrowers, and banks, as well as investors, indenture trustees and credit and liquidity providers.

About Barnes & Thornburg

Barnes & Thornburg operates 26 offices across the United States, enabling more than 850 lawyers to serve clients nationwide. As one of the 100 largest law firms in the country, we provide seamless coast-to-coast coverage for high-stakes litigation, complex transactions and innovative IP matters. Our national reach and knowledge of local markets help clients conduct business confidently wherever opportunities arise.