The Center For Economic Development Law

The Center for Economic Development Law represents cities, towns, counties, public trusts, and other local public entities in Oklahoma on a range of development activities. The firm also represents non-profit organizations and development entities in structuring public-private partnerships to facilitate development, operation, or management of special projects, places, and activities.


The firm offers extensive legal services in the creation of legal and financial strategies for economic and community development projects. Specializing in the representation of government entities, the firm has developed a depth of knowledge and understanding of the legal, political, and policy frameworks that shape development in Oklahoma. The firm has served as development counsel to over forty Oklahoma municipalities and is widely recognized as the state leader in innovative, reliable public strategies and structures for public and private development.


Much of the firm's work involves the creation of tax increment financing (TIF) districts through the preparation of project plans, assistance with public hearings, determination of district boundaries, and negotiation of budgets, revenue sharing, and development agreements. The firm has extensive experience representing public clients in master planning activities, public contracting, and interlocal agreements, creating development authorities, public trusts, and other public entities, and has expertise in general municipal law, real estate transactions, environmental issues, land use and zoning, and a variety of litigation, including eminent domain and taxpayer claims.


The attorneys at the Center for Economic Development Law have devoted their careers to working on public-sector legal issues and on projects involving coordination among public entities, as well as between the public and private sectors.
Representative projects and activities include:



Formation, establishment, and defense of the first tax increment districts in Oklahoma

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Negotiation of the interlocal agreement for the first joint city-county tax increment project in the State

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Creation of public trusts, urban renewal authorities, and public entities for municipalities

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Structuring public-private partnership agreements for Myriad Gardens and for the new Scissortail Park

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Formulation of the Skirvin Hotel Funding Plan, negotiation of the public-private agreements necessary to provide funding from multiple public sources, and drafting of joint resolutions and other public approvals required

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Preparation of the Downtown/MAPS Economic Development Project Plan and implementation activities including the Devon Energy World Headquarters

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Representation of the Oklahoma City Housing Authority and its not-for-profit instrumentality as general counsel, assisting with the implementation of a strategic investment plan to redevelop public housing and provide additional affordable housing

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Members of the firm deeply value their relationships with clients and are committed to the highest ethical and professional standards.

Locations	No. of Attorneys
Oklahoma City, OK	5

Practice Areas	No. of Attorneys
Construction	2
Litigation - General (consumer)	1
Real Estate	4