Jason L. Comisky

Email:
Tel/Direct:
515-246-0337
Tel/Main:
515-243-7611
Address:
100 Court Avenue, Suite 600
Des Moines, IA 50309
Assistant:
Quiana McFadden
515-246-4406
qmcfadden@ahlerslaw.com
Practice Groups
Court Admissions
All Iowa Courts
All Illinois Courts
Education
J.D., University of Iowa, 2007
B.A. (Cum Laude), Drake University, 2004
A.A.S. (Highest Honors), Hawkeye Community College, 2002
Bar Admissions
Iowa, 2007
Illinois, 2010
Background
Jason focuses his practice in the public finance area and currently leads the firm’s Public Finance Practice Group. In this role, he advises cities, counties, and joint building authorities throughout the state of Iowa in all aspects of public finance. Jason assists municipal clients issue governmental bonds, including general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, tax increment financing bonds, and other unique financing structures. His experience includes guiding clients through complex state law issues, federal tax laws, and federal securities laws. He has served as bond counsel, disclosure counsel, and issuer counsel in numerous tax-exempt and taxable bond financings.
He also has extensive experience representing municipalities in the areas of urban renewal, urban revitalization, economic development, local option sales and services tax, hotel/motel tax, special assessments, and public construction bidding. He is focused on assisting clients with creative ways to maintain, renew, and revitalize their communities.
Jason has previously served as the firm's Procurement and Contracting Practice Group leader and the Business Entities Practice Group leader. Prior to joining Ahlers & Cooney, Jason practiced law in Dubuque and Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he represented private-sector clients in a wide range of matters. Jason was born and raised in Osage, Iowa. He earned his A.A.S. degree from Hawkeye Community College in Civil & Construction Engineering Technology, a B.A. degree from Drake University, and then went on to earn his J.D. degree from the University of Iowa College of Law.
Representative Projects
Public Finance & Economic Development
- Counsels municipal clients in capital improvement projects and equipment financings, including building construction and renovations, police and fire equipment, emergency communications equipment, streets, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and water projects
- Involved in the formation of a joint county and city building authority and subsequent issue of lease revenue bonds for new $50,000,000 law enforcement facility
- Acts as bond counsel and disclosure counsel for general obligation and revenue issues throughout the state of Iowa
- Advises cities and counties concerning Iowa law on economic development and urban renewal in order to help them establish thriving business environments in their communities and create new job opportunities
- Guides clients through the process of establishing and amending urban renewal plans
- Consults with city and county staff to strategically analyze and draft development agreements
Corporate and Business
- Provides advice to small businesses, including entity formation, operating agreements, financing, mergers and acquisitions
- Counseled borrower in $75,000,000 senior, secured credit facility comprised of $50,000,000 term loan facility and $25,000,000 revolving loan facility
Real Estate Transactions
- Provided assistance to private university in the negotiation, sale and subsequent development of large mixed-use development
- Represent clients in the purchase, sale and lease of commercial and residential real estate, including purchase agreements, installment sale contracts, leases, options and rights of first refusal
Memberships
American Bar Association
Iowa State Bar Association
Illinois State Bar Association
Polk County Bar Association
National Association of Bond Lawyers
Iowa Municipal Attorneys Association
Iowa Rural Development Council
Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America®
- Economic Development Law (2023-2025)
- Public Finance Law (2023-2025)
Speaking/Presentations
Jason's most recent speaking engagements include:
Iowa Municipal Professionals Institute 2024, “Financing Options and Economic Development,” with Maria Brownell, Elizabeth Burnett and Nathan Overberg, October 2024
Iowa Municipal Professionals Institute 2023, “Financing Options and Economic Development,” with Maria Brownell, Kristin Cooper and Jenna Sabroske, October 2023
Iowa League of Cities, "Why Muni Bonds Continue to Thrive in Today's Market," with Kristin Cooper, September 2023
Iowa Municipal Professionals Institute 2022, “Financing Options and Economic Development,” with Jenna Bishop, Maria Brownell and Kristin Cooper, October 2022
Iowa State Association of County Auditors, "How to Finance This, That, and the Other," June 2022
Iowa Municipal Professionals Institute 2021, "Financing Options and Economic Development," with Maria Brownell, Kristin Cooper and Jenna Sabroske, October 2021
Iowa League of Cities, Virtual Small City Workshop, "Financing and Funding for City Projects," June 2021
Iowa Municipal Professionals Institute 2020, “Financing Options and Economic Development,” with Jenna Bishop, Maria Brownell and Kristin Cooper, July 2020
ISAC Spring Conference, County Supervisors Affiliate Meeting, presented with Nathan Summers, D.A. Davidson & Co.,"Bonding and Financing," March 2020
Iowa Municipal Professionals Institute 2019, “Financing Options and Economic Development,” with Jenna Bishop, Maria Brownell and Kristin Cooper, July 2019
Iowa Municipal Professionals Institute 2018, "Urban Renewal/ Urban Revitalization," July 2018
Iowa League of Cities, Fall Budget Workshop, "Economic Development Strategies and Incentive Options," November 2017
Iowa League of Cities, Annual Conference, “Using Urban Renewal Tools to Promote Growth,” September 2017
Iowa Municipal Professionals Institute, "Development Agreements," 2015 - 2017
Published Articles & Books
Cityscape, Iowa League of Cities, "Financing FAQs for City Projects," co-authored with Kristin Cooper, April 2021
Cityscape, Iowa League of Cities, “Questions Answered: Helping Communities Thrive,” co-authored with Jenna Bishop and Nathan Overberg, March 2020
Ahlers & Cooney, Iowa Urban Renewal Law, A Primer from Ahlers & Cooney, original authors: Mark Cory and Patricia Martin, authors of 2018 update: Jenna Bishop, Jason Comisky and Nathan Overberg, 2018
Professional, Community and Civic Leadership
Ankeny Izaak Walton League
Tri-State Estate Planning Council
Leadership Dubuque