The Bond Buyer, a daily newspaper read by more than 40,000 professionals in the municipal bond industry, has recognized Pope Flynn as one of ten top firms nationally in the category of “Top Disclosure Counsel: All Issues” for the first quarter of 2011. Pope Flynn, a Columbia-based law firm concentrating on bonds, other financial solutions for government entities, and public utility regulation, is the only South Carolina law firm recognized in any of the five legal categories featured in the issue. Disclosure counsel assists bond issuers in preparing the offering documents that investors and rating agencies use to measure the risks and quality of the bonds being issued.

Disclosure documents typically provide detailed information about the issuers’ management team, governmental powers, financial results, and the risks of their operations. The recognition by The Bond Buyer was based on the volume of bond issues for which Pope Zeigler served as disclosure counsel during the quarter. Pope Flynn was disclosure counsel for $456 million in publicly traded issues in the quarter. “We’re certainly pleased to be recognized by The Bond Buyer, but we’re more proud of the confidence that our clients have placed in us to assist them with their disclosure requirements,” said Belton Zeigler, managing partner of the firm. “Given the turmoil and uncertainty in bond markets, providing accurate and complete disclosure is an increasingly important part of issuing bonds,” said Zeigler. “Our goal is to continue to earn our clients’ trust and confidence in this important area.”