Michael H. Syme

For almost 20 years, Michael has been representing housing authorities, municipal government entities and developers in the financing, development and revitalization of low-income communities. He is the Head of Cohen & Grigsby’s Affordable Housing Group, as well as the firm’s Vice President of Finance and Treasurer. 

Experience

Michael's practice focuses on affordable housing, commercial real estate, corporate transactions and commercial finance. He has negotiated and closed numerous mixed-financing developments (including HopeVI), and regularly counsels housing authorities in the creation of affiliated entities and instrumentalities.

In addition, Michael has negotiated a Moving-to-Work Demonstration Program with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. He has represented HUD in the Capital Fund Fiduciary Program.

Michael also has extensive experience in representing housing authorities when they are audited by HUD’s Office of Inspector General.  Preparing for and defending such audits, Michael assists housing authorities in protecting their assets and reputations. 

Michael previously served as General Counsel for the City of Pittsburgh Housing Authority.

Additional Roles

Michael is the co-chair for the American Bar Association’s Pennsylvania Forum on Affordable Housing, as well as a member of the Allegheny County Bar Association and the Pennsylvania Bar Association. His involvement with professional organizations has included serving as a member of the ABA’s Business, Banking and Corporate Sections.

He has also served as a member of the National Organization of Housing & Redevelopment and a member of the Florida Association of Housing and Redevelopment Organization.

His community activities have included serving as president of Family Services of Western Pennsylvania.

Honors and Achievements

Michael is listed in The Best Lawyers in America and has received a Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating of “AV,’’ a testament that his peers rank him at the highest level of professional excellence. A lawyer must be admitted to the bar for at least 10 years to receive this rating.

He has been a featured speaker discussing affordable housing and community development law at annual conferences of the American Bar Association Forum on Affordable Housing. He has also given numerous presentations regarding affordable housing concerns and mixed-finance revitalization on behalf of the Florida Association of Housing and Redevelopment Organization, the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Organizations, and the South East Regional NAHRO.

Michael is a frequent speaker at HUD-sponsored seminars on a variety of affordable housing issues, including the use of Affiliates and the Capital Fund Financing Program and Mixed-Finance Development.