DES MOINES (October 21, 2008) — International law firm Dorsey & Whitney announced that James Smith has joined the Dorsey Des Moines office as a Partner in the Public Finance practice group. He has extensive experience in tax-exempt housing financings, with a focus on single-family transactions.

Smith was formerly the Deputy Director and Chief Financial Officer of the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA). While Smith was with IFA, he worked to expand the IFA single-family and multifamily housing programs. Prior to that, Smith was in private practice at Ice Miller in Indianapolis, where his practice focused mainly on housing financings.

“James has had great success within the arena of public finance and we are grateful he has decided to join Dorsey,” said Leonard Rice, head of the Dorsey Public Finance Group. “He brings with him a wide array of contacts, a wealth of experience and a well-developed practice. We believe he will be of great value to our firm and our existing clients.”

Smith received a B.A. cum laude in 1994 from Simpson College and a J.D. with high distinction in 1997 from the University of Iowa College of Law. He is licensed to practice law in Iowa and Indiana.