Land use and development, infrastructure financing, and governmental compliance for Utah's most ambitious projects
Specialized legal guidance on land use, compliance, and public financing for governmental entitities and developers using public infrastructure districts (PIDs), infrastructure financing districts (IFDs), or traditional district types. Top-tier expertise with boutique responsiveness.
We work with developers, municipalities, and special districts to structure financing, navigate approvals, and move complex projects from concept to completion and beyond. We excel at advising sophisticated entities and individuals branching into the growing field of using special-purpose governmental entities for new projects, including financing mechanisms. We are your long-term counsel for compliance with Utah laws.
Specialized counsel for infrastructure and development
Narrow, specialized practice areas. Broad connections and outside resources.
If we don't offer what you need, we know who does.
Public Infrastructure Districts (PIDs)
Formation. Governance. Operations. Financing. You name it, we have your PID covered. We guide developers and boards through Utah's PID statutes, from initial petitions through bond issuance and long-term ongoing compliance.
- Board meetings
- Board resolutions and actions
- Strategic and continuity advising
- Operations management
- Training and compliance
- Procurement and required professional services
Infrastructure Financing Districts (IFDs)
Just like with PIDs, we provide full service for IFDs and their boards. We manage board meetings, noticing, and related requirements applicable to all governmental entities in Utah. implement reimbursement agreements, and manage complex coordination.
- Board meetings
- Reimbursement agreements
- Trustee, accountant, and auditor interfacing
- Annual and periodic compliance
District Formation
Custom district structures for utilities and other public purposes. We work with the creating entities (municipalities and counties) and developers to create PIDs, IFDs, or other districts. We handle formation requests and petitions, negotiations, initial board structure and future transitions, and governance to make your idea a reality. Ultimately, we will then advise the recently-created districts as general counsel.
- Formation petitions and proceedings
- Governing documents
- Board structure and initial training
- Negotiations and strategic advising
Local and State Compliance
Navigating Utah's complex framework of open meetings (Open and Public Meetings Act - OPMA), public records (Government Records Access and Management Act - GRAMA), procurement, ethics, and administrative procedures.
- OPMA compliance
- Responding to GRAMA requests
- Procurement management and strategy
- Ethics analysis
Entitlements, Development, and Municipal Counsel
Zoning, general plan amendments, development agreements, and subdivision approvals. We represent developers through municipal land use processes. We also represent select municipalities as city attorney or special land use counsel, particularly with complex land use concerns.
- Pre-application strategy
- Staff coordination
- Development agreements
- Public hearings
- Land use code analysis and drafting
- City Attorney
Bond Issuer Counsel
Issuer-side representation for special district bond financings (including IFDs and PIDs). We prepare authorizing resolutions, review disclosure documents, provide the required issuer counsel opinion during bond transactions and ensure ongoing compliance. We have closed traditional revenue financing, tax increment financing, and property tax mill levy bonds.
- Authorizing documents
- Disclosure review
- Closing coordination
- Post-issuance compliance
Specialized expertise. Boutique attention.
Jay L. Springer
We founded Meridian Land Counsel to provide something with your needs for legal services in mind: deep specialization and narrow focus combined with the direct access and high responsiveness of a boutique practice. By limiting the practice to land use, infrastructure financing, and local government compliance, we maximize the value we bring. We strive to make your legal team part of the solution rather than a necessary evil. Meridian is about building success we can look back on together.
Founder and lead counsel Jay L. Springer earned his JD from the University of Michigan Law School where he emphasized transactional and business law. With a blue collar upbringing, he always looks for ways to solve problems from multiple angles. Since returning to Utah after a stint at a biotech startup, Jay has refined and focused his practice on land use and development, local government and compliance, and ultimately the use of innovative financing tools related to those areas.
Today, we serve as General Counsel for multiple Utah special districts, PIDs, and IFDs, and provide land use and general counsel services to municipalities across the state. We understand land and development from all sides: the developer seeking to structure deals efficiently, the local land use authority protecting taxpayers, and the state agencies monitoring compliance of boards and public funding.
That mantra means responsive communication, clear guidance on complex issues, and practical solutions that account for both legal requirements and business realities. Development projects move quickly. Your legal team should too.
Education
- J.D., University of Michigan Law School (2013)
- Executive Editor, Michigan Journal of International Law
- B.A., Westminster College (now University) (2009)
- Philosophy major, Economics minor, Honors Program
Professional Experience
- General Counsel, various Utah special districts, PIDs, and IFDs
- Land Use, General Counsel, City Attorney, various Utah Municipalities
- Of Counsel, Smith Hartvigsen PLLC
Let's discuss your project
Whether you're planning a new development, forming a district, or navigating municipal approvals, we can help.
We look forward to working with you.
Message Sent Successfully
Thank you for reaching out. We'll review your message and respond within hours on business days.
Get in Touch
We typically respond within hours on business days.
Direct line. Leave a message and we'll return your call the same day when possible.
Connect professionally and view credentials.
Broadway Media Center
50 West Broadway, Ste. 300
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Meetings by appointment. We're happy to meet at your office, our office, or virtually.