Ms. Riess joined the firm in 2008 as an associate in our Corporate Section. Her primary areas of practice are commercial finance, public finance, corporate finance and corporate transactions.

Megan has experience representing clients in the negotiation and documentation of credit facilities secured by all types of Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) collateral and real estate. Since joining the firm, Megan has represented clients in numerous commercial transactions utilizing a variety of economic development financing incentives, including state and federal new markets tax credits, state and federal historic rehabilitation tax credits, Louisiana motion picture tax credits, Louisiana angel investor tax credits and Gulf Opportunity Zone bonds. Representative transactions include the representation of lender in $132 million acquisition and redevelopment of 186-room hotel and mixed-use residential and commercial building utilizing new markets tax credits, historic rehabilitation tax credits and GO Zone Bonds; representation of lender in $37 million redevelopment of mixed use residential rental building utilizing new markets tax credits, historic rehabilitation tax credits and HUD loan; representation of tax credit investor and tax credit allocatees in acquisition and development of 502-space parking garage utilizing new markets tax credits and bonus depreciation incentive; representation of lender in $32 million acquisition and development of film studio utilizing new markets tax credits, historic rehabilitation tax credits and motion picture tax credits; and counseling the State of Louisiana regarding the financing of New Orleans theatre building utilizing state grant funds, new markets tax credits, and historic rehabilitation tax credits.

Megan has also represented clients in corporate matters such as formation, capitalization and financing, negotiation and drafting of operating agreements and other organizational documents, and negotiation and drafting of employment and independent contractor services agreements.

Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Riess practiced at Richards, Layton and Finger, P.A. in Wilmington, Delaware where her practice focused on securitizations and other structured finance transactions.

Megan received her J.D., magna cum laude, from Tulane University Law School, where she was a member of the Moot Court Board and the Chair of the Intra-school Moot Court Open Competitions. Prior to attending law school, Megan earned a B.S. degree in Finance from the University of Delaware.

Ms. Riess is admitted to practice in Delaware and Louisiana and is a member of the American Bar Association, Delaware State Bar Association and the Louisiana State Bar Association. Megan is a member of Business Law Section and Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section of the ABA and serves on the LSBA’s Community Action Committee. She is also an active member of the US Green Building Counsel’s Louisiana chapter and serves as the organization’s program director for the New Orleans area.