Steven Gerdes

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HOUSTON, Texas — The American College of Bond Counsel has announced the election of Steven H. Gerdes, a partner in the Houston office of Vinson & Elkins LLP, as a new fellow. There are 185 Regular Fellows of the American College of Bond Counsel.

The American College of Bond Counsel is a group of distinguished bond attorneys who contribute to the public through writings, projects and teaching involving bond law.

The College presented its annual Kraft Lecture on public finance on Sept. 18 at the annual Bond Attorneys Workshop of the National Association of Bond Lawyers at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers in Chicago. This year’s lecture was presented by Sylvan G. Feldstein, director of Mu-nicipal Bond Research for the Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America and co-editor of the newly released book “The Handbook of Municipal Bonds.” Feldstein addressed how the decline of monoline insurers coupled with the U.S. economic downturn has decommoditized the municipal bond market, leading to a resurgence in the importance of credit analysis.

The purpose of the College is to gather together lawyers distinguished for their skill, experience and high standards of professional and ethical conduct in the practice of bond law, who will contribute substantially to the accomplishments, achievements and good fellowship of the College and to the best interests of the bar and the general public through the fulfillment of objectives of the College. The College’s objectives are to promote high standards of professional and ethical responsibility in the practice of bond law, to seek to improve bond law and practice; to make available to the bar and to the public authoritative educational materials in the field of bond law, to speak upon matters of interest and importance to bond law and practice before legislative, administrative and regulatory bodies, and elsewhere; to promote the continuing education of attorneys on issues affecting bond law; to provide forums for attorneys practicing bond law to meet and exchange ideas and professional experience; and to cooperate and consult with national, state and local bar organizations, government agencies, issuer organizations, and other groups that have an interest in bond law and practice.