Christine Richardson

Christine Richardson represents for-profit and non-profit developers in various aspects of affordable housing development, including financing transactions, regulatory matters involving state and federal agencies, and state taxation issues relevant to affordable housing.

Transactional Matters

Christine has experience in review and negotiation of financing documents in transactions involving low income housing tax credits, Tax Credit Exchange funds, TCAP funds, financing under different HUD programs, and other types of federal, state, and local funding.  She also regularly assists clients with the structuring and formation of ownership and development entities for use in affordable housing transactions.

Regulatory Matters

In her regulatory practice, Christine represents clients in various matters involving the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, such as tax credit application issues, changes of ownership, and various tax credit compliance matters.  In HUD regulatory matters, she has represented clients in assignments of Section 8 HAP contracts, transfers of physical assets, and 236 decouplings.

State Taxation Matters

A number of affordable housing transactions seek to employ different tax exemptions under Texas law.  Christine advises clients on ad valorem tax exemptions under different types of ownership structures and has worked with numerous appraisal districts in applying for such exemptions, including representation of property owners in appraisal review board hearings involving such exemptions.  She also provides advice and assistance to clients who desire to obtain a sales tax exemption for materials used in construction or rehabilitation of affordable housing.

Education

• J.D., Harvard Law School, 2000
  Managing Editor, Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy
• B.A., summa cum laude, Angelo State University, 1997

Bar Admissions

• Texas, 2000

Publications & Presentations

• "Affordable Housing: Putting All The Pieces Together," Locke Lord (March 2012)
  
• Author, " Locke Lord QuickStudy: HUD Issues Proposed Rules to Revise HOME Program Regulations ," Locke Lord (February 6, 2012)
  
• "At Home in Austin," Locke Lord (October 24, 2011)
  
• Author, "Locke Lord's QuickStudy: Texas Court Upholds Constitutionality of Property Tax Exemption for Tax Credit Limited Partnerships," Locke Lord (March 24, 2011)
  

Press Release

Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell Elevates 14 Associates to Partners — 12/18/2008

Locke Liddell & Sapp Affordable Housing Group Recognized By Austin Business Journal — 4/23/2007

Professional History

• Partner, Locke Lord LLP
• Briefing Attorney for Justice Priscilla R. Owen, The Supreme Court of Texas (2000 - 2001)

Professional Affiliations & Achievements

• Member, State Bar of Texas
• Member, Austin Bar Association
• Member, Austin Young Lawyers Association
• Member, American Bar Association, Affordable Housing and Community Development Law Forum
• Member, National Council of State Housing Agencies