John F. Stafstrom Jr. is chair of the Public Finance Department and is experienced in the fields of government and commercial finance and commercial transactions.

John has served as bond counsel, letter-of-credit counsel and underwriters’ counsel in large government bond transactions and has represented borrowers in significant government finance transactions. He also has drafted significant legislation in the public finance area.

John has extensive experience in negotiating contracts between private developers and contract operators and government entities. He has counseled financial institutions and government entities in transactions involving the making of loans and the modification, settlement and restructure of loan obligations. He also has extensive experience in negotiating intercreditor arrangements.

John has a great deal of experience in the corporate law applicable to trade associations. He is an authority on the anti-trust and other issues applicable to trade associations. He has extensive experience in issues related to the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights, particularly in the certification and testing field.

Representative Experience

• Representation of a large Connecticut municipality as bond counsel in the issue of $350 million of pension deficit funding bonds, the first such issue under specific state legislation and the largest city bond issue in Connecticut
• Representation of 14 child care providers in the issue of $30 million of bonds through the Connecticut Health and Education Facilities Authority to finance the first-in-the-state child care facilities in four separate bond issues
• Representation as bond counsel of Connecticut’s largest municipalities regarding tax incremental financing issues including drafting of state authorizing legislation
• Representation of a developer in structuring state and municipal assistance for large mixed use development projects

Professional Affiliations

• National Association of Bond Lawyers 

Community Involvement

• Bridgeport City Council - former four term member
• Bridgeport Regional Business Council - vice chairman, board of directors; former long term chair, Government Relations Committee
• Career Resources, Inc. - chairman emeritus, board of directors
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Honors & Awards

•  "Strong Community Builder Award" from the Alpha Community Services Branch YMCA, 2007