Rich Hill has served as bond counsel for numerous cities, counties and towns in a variety of economic development, redevelopment and traditional financing projects. He was involved in developing the use of tax increment financing in Indiana by drafting required legislation amendments and acted as lead counsel in the test case required for the first tax increment financing in the state.

Rich serves as bond counsel for a number of school corporations in the state. He represents both private developers and governmental entities in the negotiation of economic incentive packages resulting in the financing and construction of both retail and industrial projects. Rich additionally routinely advises school corporations, counties, cities and towns on a variety of municipal law issues. In addition, he represents clients in real estate development projects and in the purchase, sale and operation of professional sports franchises. From 1980 to 1986, Rich served as City Attorney for the City of South Bend.

• Indiana Super Lawyers — Bonds/Government Finance, 2004-12
• The Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Law, 2005-12, and Public Finance Law, 2005-06 and 2011-12
• Charles L. Whistler Pro Bono Award — Faegre Baker Daniels, 2009
• Ernestine M. Raclin Community Leadership Award, 2005
• Sagamore of the Wabash — 2005

Civic Activities

• Project Future — Board of Trustees
• Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County — Board Member and Executive Committee
• Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc. — Board Member and Executive Committee

Previous Civic Activities

• United Way of St. Joseph County, Inc. — Board Chair, Board of Directors and Executive Committee
• Daisy Hall Neighborhood Association — Board Member
• World Dignity, Inc. — Board Member

Professional Associations

• National School Boards Association, Council of School Attorneys
• National Association of Bond Lawyers
• Supreme Court Historical Society
• St. Joseph County Bar Association
• St. Joseph County Bar Foundation — Board of Directors, Vice President
• Indiana State Bar Association

Publications

• Tax Increment Financing in Indiana, co-author, 1988
• "Janowiak v. Corporate City of South Bend," 26 The Municipal Attorney 2, 1985
• "Collective Bargaining Problems," Municipal Law, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, 1984

Presentations

• "Economic Development Issues Today," co-panelist with Jon Bomberger and Randy Rompola, 2011 Legal Update for Local Governments and School Corporations, Indianapolis, September 14, 2011
• "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009," Notre Dame, March 2009
• "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009," Northwest Indiana Forum, March 2009
• "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009," Northeast Indiana Forum, February 2009
• "Economic Development and Redevelopment," City of Hobart, March 2008
• "Analyzing HEA 1001," Northwest Indiana Partnership, May 2008
• "Analyzing HEA 1001," Northeast Indiana Partnership, May 2008
• "Analyzing HEA 1001," City of Fort Wayne, May 2008
• "Property Tax Reform — Analysis and Impact," City of South Bend, May 2008
• "Analyzing HEA 1001," Northwest Indiana Forum, July 2008
• "Economic Development and Redevelopment in Indiana," Lorman Seminar, September 2006-08
• "Economic Development and Redevelopment in Indiana," City of Fort Wayne, December 2007
• "Economic Development and Redevelopment in Indiana," Lorman Seminar, September 2006-08
• "Local Industrial Development Incentives," Northeast Indiana Business & Industrial Conference, June 2004-06
• "How Local Governments Can Help," Indiana Northeast Development Conference, 1999-2003