Matthew W. Kern

Matthew W. Kern

Public Finance Law

4.2 (10 reviews)
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
17+ years experience
Jones Walker LLP
Updated:

Contact Information

Suite 800, 445 North Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
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Bio

Matt Kern is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. He focuses on public finance transactions. Matt serves as bond counsel to various local governmental issuers, including municipalities, special districts, port districts, and other political subdivisions. He also serves frequently as bond counsel to state-level issuers, including the Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority, the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, the Louisiana Correctional Facilities Corporation, the Office Facilities Corporation, and the boards governing the University of Louisiana System and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. Matt also represents national and regional investment banking firms as underwriters’ counsel, as well as other participants in public finance transactions, including serving as bank counsel, issuer’s counsel, and trustee counsel. Drawing on his in-depth knowledge, he advises clients on a broad range of municipal securities issues such as general obligation bonds, special revenue and lease revenue bonds, tax increment financing bonds, special assessment bonds, tax credit bonds, and certificates of participation. Matt also offers guidance on the creation of special districts to aid with the financing of economic development projects and regularly drafts legislation and counsels clients with respect to pending legislation. Matt Kern is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. He focuses on public finance transactions. Matt serves as bond counsel to various local governmental issuers, including municipalities, special districts, port districts, and other political subdivisions. He also serves frequently as bond counsel to state-level issuers, including the Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority, the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, the Louisiana Correctional Facilities Corporation, the Office Facilities Corporation, and the boards governing the University of Louisiana System and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. Matt also represents national and regional investment banking firms as underwriters’ counsel, as well as other participants in public finance transactions, including serving as bank counsel, issuer’s counsel, and trustee counsel. Drawing on his in-depth knowledge, he advises clients on a broad range of municipal securities issues such as general obligation bonds, special revenue and lease revenue bonds, tax increment financing bonds, special assessment bonds, tax credit bonds, and certificates of participation. Matt also offers guidance on the creation of special districts to aid with the financing of economic development projects and regularly drafts legislation and counsels clients with respect to pending legislation. Matt Kern is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. He focuses on public finance transactions. Matt serves as bond counsel to various local governmental issuers, including municipalities, special districts, port districts, and other political subdivisions. He also serves frequently as bond counsel to state-level issuers, including the Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority, the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, the Louisiana Correctional Facilities Corporation, the Office Facilities Corporation, and the boards governing the University of Louisiana System and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. Matt also represents national and regional investment banking firms as underwriters’ counsel, as well as other participants in public finance transactions, including serving as bank counsel, issuer’s counsel, and trustee counsel. Drawing on his in-depth knowledge, he advises clients on a broad range of municipal securities issues such as general obligation bonds, special revenue and lease revenue bonds, tax increment financing bonds, special assessment bonds, tax credit bonds, and certificates of participation. Matt also offers guidance on the creation of special districts to aid with the financing of economic development projects and regularly drafts legislation and counsels clients with respect to pending legislation.

Practice Areas

Public Finance Law

Awards & Recognition

  • Lawyer of the Year: Public Finance Law, Baton Rouge (2026)
  • Recognized: Public Finance Law

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023

Education

  • Southern University Law Center, J.D., graduated 2008

Reviews

K

Karen Cooper

3 weeks ago

Excellent Public Finance Expert

Matt Kern was instrumental in guiding our municipality through a complex bond issuance. His deep expertise in public finance and familiarity with local regulations made the process seamless. While his legal acumen is outstanding, I wish his response time to emails could be slightly quicker. Worth every penny for the peace of mind.

S

Sarah Ramirez

3 weeks ago

Expert Guidance for Municipal Bonds

Working with Matt Kern was a game-changer for our municipal bond project. His deep expertise in public finance transactions and his role as bond counsel to multiple governmental issuers were immediately evident. He not only provided clear, actionable advice but also anticipated potential challenges before they arose, saving us significant time and resources. His professionalism and attention to detail ensured our project stayed on track and within compliance. I was particularly impressed by his ability to explain complex legal concepts in a way that was accessible to our team, which made collaboration seamless. The outcome was exceptional—a smooth, well-structured bond issuance that met all our financial goals. Matt's recognition as a leading practitioner in public finance is well-deserved, and we wouldn't hesitate to work with him again. Highly recommend!

S

Stephanie Hill

3 weeks ago

Expertise and Trust in Public Finance

Matt Kern's depth of experience in public finance transactions is truly impressive. As a partner at Jones Walker, his expertise in municipal and special district bonds was instrumental in helping our city navigate a complex revenue bond issuance. His meticulous attention to detail ensured compliance with state and federal regulations, while his ability to simplify legal complexities made the process far more manageable. The recognition he's received, including being named Lawyer of the Year for Public Finance in Baton Rouge, is well-deserved. Beyond his technical skills, Matt's professionalism and dedication to his clients are unparalleled. He took the time to understand our unique challenges and provided strategic counsel that not only met but exceeded our expectations. His guidance ensured a seamless transaction, and his responsiveness throughout the process gave us complete confidence. I would recommend Matt without reservation to any entity seeking top-tier public finance legal counsel.

K

Kathleen Bailey

3 weeks ago

Exceptional Public Finance Expertise

Working with Matthew W. Kern was an outstanding experience. His deep knowledge of public finance transactions and 17 years of experience were evident from our first consultation. As bond counsel, he provided meticulous guidance for our municipal project, ensuring compliance and optimizing financial structures. His expertise in advising local governments, including municipalities and special districts, was invaluable. The recognition he earned as Lawyer of the Year in Public Finance Law (2026) reflects his commitment and skill. Matt’s professionalism, responsiveness, and ability to break down complex legal concepts made the process seamless. His strategic approach secured favorable terms and minimized risks. I would highly recommend him for any public finance or general corporate transactions. His work ethic and dedication to client success are truly exceptional.

M

Margaret Rivera

3 weeks ago

Capable but Inconsistent in Communication

Attorney Kern handled our municipal bond issuance competently, leveraging his deep experience in public finance transactions. His expertise in serving as bond counsel for local governments was evident in the transaction's smooth execution. However, communication was spotty—sometimes responsive, other times delayed. While his legal work met expectations, the inconsistency in updates and availability left us occasionally frustrated. Recognized as a Lawyer of the Year in public finance, his technical knowledge is strong, but client experience could improve. Overall, a solid attorney, but not the most responsive partner.

J

Jason Torres

3 weeks ago

Exceptional Public Finance Expert

Matthew W. Kern was an absolute game-changer for our municipality when we needed to navigate a complex public finance transaction. With his 17 years of experience, particularly as bond counsel for local governmental issuers, he provided unparalleled expertise. His deep understanding of public finance law, coupled with his recognition as the 2026 Lawyer of the Year in this field, gave us confidence from the start. Matt’s ability to break down intricate legal concepts into actionable strategies was invaluable. He not only ensured compliance with all regulations but also secured favorable terms that benefited our community. Throughout the process, his professionalism, responsiveness, and genuine commitment to our success were evident. We couldn’t have achieved such a positive outcome without his guidance. Highly recommend his services to any entity needing top-tier public finance legal counsel.

A

Andrew Allen

3 weeks ago

Expertise in Public Finance

I engaged Matt Kern for a complex public finance transaction involving municipal bonds, and his depth of knowledge was immediately apparent. As bond counsel, he expertly navigated regulatory requirements and ensured compliance with all applicable laws. His 17 years of experience in public finance was evident in how seamlessly he managed the transaction, which involved multiple stakeholders and tight deadlines. While his legal expertise is outstanding, I noted that his responses to follow-up questions could be slightly more timely. The cost was competitive, but clear communication around invoicing would have been helpful. Matt’s recognition as a top attorney in public finance is well-deserved, and I would not hesitate to recommend him for similar projects. His ability to balance precision with practical solutions makes him an invaluable partner in this specialized field.

S

Shirley Allen

3 weeks ago

Excellent Public Finance Expert

Matthew Kern handled our municipal bond issuance with precision and expertise. His deep knowledge of public finance transactions and his role as bond counsel for local governments was evident throughout the process. The legal guidance he provided was invaluable, and his ability to navigate complex regulations ensured a smooth transaction. While his responsiveness could be slightly improved, his legal acumen and professionalism make him a top choice for public finance matters. Highly recommend for governmental issuers.

D

Daniel Walker

3 weeks ago

Exceptional Public Finance Counsel

Matthew Kern is a standout in the public finance space. His deep experience as bond counsel for municipalities and special districts was invaluable for our complex issuance. His insight into market conditions and regulatory compliance streamlined our process significantly. Matt’s recognition as Lawyer of the Year in Public Finance Law underscores his expertise, and we appreciated his ability to synthesize dense legal concepts into actionable strategies. While communication timeliness could improve slightly, his thoroughness and long-term perspective more than compensated. For any public finance transaction, he’s a reliable choice. Highly recommended for governmental issuers.

G

Gregory Mitchell

3 weeks ago

Competent but communication gaps

Attorney Kern handled our municipal bond transaction with professionalism, leveraging his 17 years of experience in public finance. His deep knowledge of local issuers and his involvement as bond counsel was evident, and we appreciated his recognition as a Lawyer of the Year in this field. However, we encountered some delays in responses to follow-up questions, which added unnecessary stress to the timeline. While his expertise was clear, clearer communication about potential delays upfront would have improved the experience. For complex public finance matters, his legal acumen is undeniable, but clients should expect a more measured pace.

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