Taft/Sherman & Howard Adds Public Finance Attorney in Denver

Taft, formerly Sherman & Howard, is pleased to announce the addition of public finance lawyer J. Garrett Merville, reinforcing the firm's commitment to strategic growth in the Texas and Mountain West markets.

Merville works on a range of public finance matters for local governments, primarily related to the financing of affordable housing and the financing of public infrastructure through special taxing districts. His experience also includes tax-exempt financings for waste disposal facilities, industrial development, and healthcare facilities. He serves as bond counsel, underwriter's counsel, and disclosure counsel in such transactions.

He works on matters related to tax-exempt finance and tax credit transactions at the federal, state and local levels, with a focus on affordable and workforce housing development. He has experience with governmental entities in public-private partnerships in connection with 4% and 9% low-income housing tax credit transactions and workforce housing transactions involving public facility corporations and housing finance corporations. He is also experienced with municipal utility districts, municipal management districts, and other types of special districts in Texas, including economic development and tax incentive programs.

"I was an economics major and a public policy major, so public finance was the perfect combination of those," Merville said. "I was also inspired by my family's legacy of helping the development of cities."

Public Finance Practice Group Chair Cory Kalanick said, "We're excited to welcome Garrett to the team. He brings valuable public finance experience to the team and adds to our already strong bench and well-established public finance group in Denver. Garrett will also enhance our Texas public finance team in their work with public infrastructure financings."

"I wanted to join a public finance practice with a national reach, and Taft offered the ability to work across several different markets, which was really impressive to me," Merville said. "The number of attorneys at Taft and the number of resources are impressive. Also, to be a part of a growing firm that is still actively expanding was something that drew me here."

Effective Jan. 1, 2025, Sherman & Howard combined with Taft, creating a firm powered by more than 1,050 attorneys from Washington, D.C. to the Mountain West. The combination enables both firms to deepen their benches of attorneys and strengthen their service offerings.

About Taft

Founded in 1885, Taft is one of the nation's fastest-growing law firms, with a 140-year legacy rooted in the historic Taft family. With more than 1,050 attorneys and a modern, non-headquarter operating model, Taft is committed to delivering exceptional legal service to today's organizations and individuals. The firm is recognized nationally in the Am Law 100, Chambers USA, Best Lawyers®, and Super Lawyers. Learn more at Taftlaw.com.