Rob McCarthy represents governmental entities, nonprofit organizations and financial institutions in connection with municipal bond transactions. In addition, Rob has extensive experience working with public and private clients in establishing and managing economic development incentives and special purpose districts, including joint economic development districts and new community authorities. 

In addition to his work as bond counsel, Rob works with public and private clients to establish and manage economic development programs, including joint economic development districts (JEDDs), new community authorities (NCAs), and tax increment financing (TIF). He also negotiates economic development incentives on behalf of school districts and other public and private parties.

Earlier in his career, Rob served as a law clerk to Justice Yvette McGee Brown on the Supreme Court of Ohio and as an assistant attorney general in the administration of Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray.

Rob serves as Vice Chair for Talent in Bricker Graydon LLP’s Public Sector Group.

For additional ways to contact Robert McCarthy, you can reach his assistant Amy Garcia at 614.227.4903 or by email.

Education

The Ohio State University (J.D., 2008); Articles Editor, Ohio State Law Journal; recipient, Moritz Merit Scholarship

Harvard University (B.A. with honors, 2002); President, Institute of Politics (a student center and memorial to President John F. Kennedy)

Distinctions

Listed, The Best Lawyers in America® – Public Finance Law (2020–2025)

Professional Activities

Member, Board of Trustees of Friends of Worthington Library

Member, NAIOP Central Ohio Chapter

Vice-chair and Member, Governance Committee, Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District

Secretary, Bridge Park New Community Authority

Trustee, Worthington Community Improvement Corporation

Member, Ohio State Bar Association

Member, Columbus Bar Association

Member, National Association of Bond Lawyers

News

Resource Centers

Blog Posts

Speaking Engagements

Publications

Additional Items

• Speaker, “Strengthening Economic Development / Schools Partnerships for Community Growth” OEDA Webinar (August 2024)
• Speaker, "Tax Incentives from the Front Lines: How Your District Can Capitalize on Economic Development Opportunities," OASBO Annual Conference (April 2024)
• Co-Speaker, "OASBO Central Chapter Luncheon," OASBO (March 2024)
• Speaker, "Planning Together - Local Governments & Schools," MORPC (February 2024)
• Presenter, "Downtown Redevelopment Tools: Hot Topics in Municipal Economic Development," OMAA/OML Webinar (May 2019)
• Presenter, "What Your Bond Finance Team Worries About," CDFA PFM Capital Markets Webinar Series (May 2019)
• Presenter, "Economic Development: Responsible Growth in Your Community," Ohio Township Association Law Directors' Group (August 2018)
• Presenter, "Project Finance and Incentives Options," Ohio Municipal League Summer Regional Conference Series (June 2018)
• Presenter, "Economic Development Incentives - Lessons Learned," 2017 OSBA Capital Conference (November 2017)
• Presenter, "JEDDs and Other Economic Development Tools," Ohio Association of Public Treasurers Annual Fall Conference (October 2017)
• Presenter, "Advanced Economic Development," Ohio Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), Annual Conference (September 2017)
• Presenter, "Economic Development Fundamentals," Ohio Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), Annual Conference (September 2017)
• Presenter, "County Role in Economic Development: Update on Recent Legal Trends," Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association Summer Workshop (June 2017)
• Presenter, "Legislative Update - 2017: Update and a Look Forward," Ohio Economic Development Association 360: State Economic Development Briefing (May 2017)
• Presenter, "Economic Development Ethics," Ohio Economic Development Association 2017 Ohio Basic Economic Development Course( April 2017)
• Presenter, "Encouraging Cooperative Development Initiatives through JEDDs," Ohio Municipal League webinar (January 2017)
• Presenter, "Downtown Redevelopment Districts and Innovation Districts: A New Economic Development Tool,” City of Logan/Hocking County Forum on Downtown Revitalization (January 2017)