Bond lawyer, mom of two, avid soccer fan, and our new NABL President. Meet Carol McCoog.

Tell us a little bit about yourself. 

I’m a partner in the Portland, OR office of Hawkins, Delafield & Wood. My partners and I in Portland joined Hawkins and founded the Portland office in December 2011. I’ve been married to my husband Phil McCoog for 25 years, and we have two children, Olivia (20) and Parker (17).

What inspired you to join NABL?

From the time I started my career as a bond lawyer, I became a NABL member and attended NABL conferences. It was just the thing to do as a bond lawyer.

How has volunteering on different committees and the board of directors impacted your career? 

Participating on projects, committees, and the board of directors has tremendously impacted my career as it provides me the opportunity to learn about areas of public finance in which I’m not involved or specialize. It also requires me to learn more deeply about the areas or subject matters in which I do work. All of this makes me a better bond lawyer. My participation has also helped me build a network of colleague and friends that has been so valuable to me professionally and personally. 

What are your goals as president this year?

One of my personal priorities, which is getting our arms around how we provide educational programming to our members in a changing world. Just as our firms are grappling with how they are operating post-COVID with respect to in-office and remote work, we too are trying to understand how NABL should deliver educational programs with respect to in-person conferences and online programs. We are also facing a membership that is increasingly of a younger generation and ever-changing ways in which we communicate with each other. Given all these changes, I initially made the push a few years ago for NABL to separate our Education and Member Services Committee into two distinct committees; one examining how we attract and retain a new generation of bond lawyers, and a second focused on how we educate them and serve as their go-to resource for bond law. Ultimately, I want everyone practicing bond law, newbies and veterans, to see joining and participating in NABL as a no-brainer.

What is the best piece of advice you have received?  

I don’t really recall any specific advice, but I do really like the quote “Luck is where preparation meets opportunity.”

What has been your favorite podcast or book in the past year?

I enjoy listening to The Daily podcast, mostly while I’m commuting to and from the office. I also enjoy listening to various podcasts about women’s soccer, particularly this past summer during the Women’s World Cup tournament.