Bradley N. Ruwe

Partner

Brad is known for his insightful analyses of public finance projects from both economic and legal perspectives. He serves as bond counsel, underwriter’s counsel, bank counsel, disclosure counsel, and special counsel.

With three decades of experience in public finance, Brad has been serving as counsel in the following areas: government finance, school finance, 501(c)(3)/health care finance, economic development finance and municipal leasing. He handles both governmental and conduit transactions and is regularly called upon to address governmental and quasi-governmental councils, boards, school boards, and authorities on public finance issues.

He has served as a speaker at meetings of state and local government entities, including the State of Ohio, counties, municipalities, treasurers, trustees, school districts, OASBO, GFOA, and CAAO. 

Brad’s representative experience includes the following types of projects from equipment financings to some of Ohio’s largest transformative projects:

  • Public infrastructure projects of all types: roads, water sewer, parking garages…
  • Stadia financings
  • Convention center and hotel financings
  • K-12 schools (working with OFCC on CFAP, VFAP and ELPP projects)
  • Tax levies and bond issues for municipalities and school districts
  • Economic development and tax incentives such as TIF and CRA (development and cooperative agreements, school compensation agreements)
  • Health care financings (acute care and continuing care)
  • Lease-purchase financings and certificates of participation
  • Jail financings
  • Land swap agreements
  • General counsel to a port authority
  • General counsel to a new community authority
  • Bank counsel for local, regional and national banks and other credit providers
  • Exempt facilities financings such as industrial development projects

Credentials

Education

Northern Kentucky University, Chase College of Law (J.D., 1996)

  • Moot Court
  • Potter Stewart Inns of Court

Xavier University (B.S.B.A., 1992)

Bar admissions

  • Ohio

Affiliations and memberships

  • Association of Governmental Leasing and Finance, member (present); board member (2007 – 2013)
  • National Association of Bond Lawyers, Bond Attorneys’ Workshop panelist (2008 – present)
  • Xavier University, Board of Executive Advisors for Economics (2009 – present)
  • Chase College of Law, Transactional Law Center Board of Advisors (2010 – 2015)
  • Cincinnati Bar Association

Distinctions

  • American College of Bond Counsel, Fellow
  • Rising Star by Cincinnati Law and Politics Magazine (2005, 2006)
  • Cincy Magazine
    • Cincy Leading Lawyer
    • Leading Lawyers Power 100 (2021)
  • Cincinnati Academy of Leadership for Lawyers (2005)

Publications
  • October 14, 2025

    Ohio Legislature Overrides Veto, Reshapes Local Tax Levy Authority

  • February 16, 2023

    Senate Bill 33: Changes to Ohio’s Community Reinvestment Area Property Tax Exemption Program

  • October 3, 2022

    SEC Alleges Fraud and Deceptive Practices in Case Against City of Rochester, New York

  • August 18, 2022

    Impactful Changes to Ohio Ballot Language and Election Notices

  • March 25, 2022

    Reminder: SEC Requires Disclosure of Rating Changes and Financial Obligations

  • August 17, 2020

    Ohio Gives Temporary Authorization for Municipalities and Townships to Use TIF Funds for Expanded Purposes

  • June 23, 2020

    Ohio Treasurer’s COVID-19 Community Response Initiative

  • May 27, 2020

    Continuing Disclosure Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

  • May 20, 2020

    The Federal Reserve’s Municipal Liquidity Facility: Providing Financial Relief but at What Cost?

  • April 13, 2020

    SEC Guidance: Public Statements of Municipal Issuers Subject to Antifraud Provisions

News
  • August 21, 2025

    260 Dinsmore Attorneys Listed as 2026 Best Lawyers®, Ones to Watch

  • March 24, 2023

    31 Dinsmore Attorneys Featured on 2023 Cincy Leading Lawyers List

  • February 8, 2022

    27 Dinsmore Attorneys From a Broad Range of Practice Areas Chosen for 2022 Cincy Leading Lawyers List