KATHRYN ("KATY") J. OTTENSMEYER is a Partner in the Birmingham, Alabama office of Balch & Bingham LLP, where she specializes in federal and state tax matters related to tax-exempt bonds.  Ms. Ottensmeyer has practiced in the area of public finance and tax since 1988 and has served as bond counsel and underwriter's counsel in governmental and 501 (c)(3) hospital, small issue manufacturing and State and municipal financings throughout Alabama.  She has also served as special tax counsel for issuers, hospitals, schools, cities and manufacturing companies providing arbitrage rebate compliance, Internal Revenue Service audit and voluntary closing agreement assistance.  Ms. Ottensmeyer has also provided state and local tax advice to numerous manufacturing companies and hospitals in the areas of tax abatement, tax incentives, grants and tax exemptions available under Alabama law.

Ms. Ottensmeyer is a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers ("NABL") and currently serves as a steering committee member (Panel Chairman) for NABL's annual Bond Attorney's Workshop and a member of the tax faculty for NABL's Fundamentals Seminar.  Ms. Ottensmeyer has also been rated "AV" by Martindale Hubbell.