Robinson+Cole Continues Mid-Atlantic Expansion with Ten-Member Public Finance Team in DC and New York
Addition of Six-Lawyer Team, Plus Los Angeles Counsel, Bolsters Robinson+Cole’s Public Finance and Affordable Housing Capabilities
(September 29, 2025) – Robinson+Cole announced Ryan L. George, Ethan Ostrow, and Catherine E. Woltering joined the firm as partners. George and Ostrow will be resident in Robinson+Cole’s Washington, DC office and Woltering will be a member of the firm’s New York office. Together, they bring decades of experience in public finance and reinforce the firm’s strategic growth in the Mid-Atlantic region. Joining with the partners are associates Cassandra M. Pereda, Victor O. Carlo, and Matthew J. Hood; paralegals Isabelle Yourick, Rosaura Fox, and Grace Burt; and Legal Administrative Assistant Nancy Parada. Collectively, the team offers national experience advising on municipal bond financings and related practice areas.
The addition of this lateral group builds on momentum from late 2023, when the firm welcomed six lawyers and six professional staff from DC-based firm Kearbey Pirulli & Evatt LLC, including Affordable Housing + Finance team partners Robert A. Kearbey, Nicholas A. Pirulli, and Patrick L. Evatt.
“This team brings an exceptional depth of experience in public finance that not only complements and strengthens our existing capabilities, but also aligns with our strategic goals,” said Keisha S. Palmer, chair of the firm’s Public Finance group. “Their collaborative approach and national perspective make them a powerful addition to our already robust Public Finance group.”
“This addition builds on the momentum we established with the previous expansion of our Affordable Housing + Finance practice,” said Andrew L. Kramer, co-chair of Robinson+Cole’s Affordable Housing + Finance team. “We have been collaborating with members of the team for over 25 years. This transition formalizes that longstanding partnership with the added enhancements that the entire team will provide to both our practice and to the core Public Finance practice. We are looking forward to capitalizing on the synergy that this group will generate to allow us to deliver even more comprehensive service, innovation and support as we help our affordable housing clients navigate their way through the increasingly complex legal, regulatory and financial landscape.”
Ryan L. George has practiced in public finance for nearly 25 years, focusing on lender’s and underwriter’s counsel roles in private placements and public offerings of tax-exempt and taxable municipal bonds. His work centers on private activity bond financings for affordable multifamily rental housing, student housing, and healthcare facilities. George has played a pivotal role in structuring transactions and programs for banking clients, including the nation’s largest bank-sponsored tax-exempt bond and loan conduit private placement program for affordable multifamily rental projects.
Ethan F. Ostrow advises as underwriter’s, purchaser’s, and issuer’s counsel in tax-exempt and taxable bonds with a focus on multifamily affordable housing financing. His work spans public offerings and private placements involving credit providers such as FHA, Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac. Ostrow’s experience includes 4% low-income housing tax credit transactions and 501(c)(3) and essential function bonds. He was instrumental in developing the structure and documentation for Fannie Mae’s MTEB program.
Catherine “Cat” Woltering focuses on affordable housing transactions. With over 15 years of experience, she advises clients on public finance matters, drawing on a background in litigation, securities, and bankruptcy. Her practice includes structuring and closing debt financings for institutional lenders, bond underwriters, placement agents, and developers, including transactions credit-enhanced by FHA, USDA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac. Woltering was part of the legal team representing the SIPA trustee in the liquidation of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC, contributing to global investigation and asset recovery efforts.
Robinson+Cole also welcomes Tina Bhanshali, who joins as counsel in the firm’s Los Angeles office. Bhanshali primarily represents loan servicers in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac conventional and affordable, securitized and nonsecuritized, multifamily housing loan transactions.
“Tina’s addition complements our existing practice and the practices of Cat, Ryan and Ethan and their team— expanding our national Affordable Housing practice,” said Rhonda J. Tobin, Managing Partner at Robinson+Cole. “Our active recruiting is not just about growth—it’s about deepening our capabilities in highly strategic practices and our presence in a region that’s vital to our clients. Welcoming these talented professionals is a clear signal that we’re delivering on our plan and positioning the firm for long-term success in major Mid-Atlantic commercial centers.”
About Robinson+Cole
Robinson+Cole is an Am Law 200 law firm established 180 years ago, with a deeply rooted culture of collaboration, civility, and inclusion. The firm is top ranked in the 2024 Vault Best Law Firms for Diversity, a Mansfield Rule Certified Plus firm, and has more than 275 lawyers in twelve main offices throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Florida, California, and Texas, serving regional, national, and international clients, from start-ups to Fortune 50 companies. Robinson+Cole is a service mark of Robinson & Cole LLP. For more information, please visit www.rc.com.