Brentwood School District
Chicago Public Schools
DeSmet Jesuit High School
ITT Educational Services
Knowledge Universe
Southeast Missouri State University
The Principia Corporation
University of Nebraska
Colleges and universities, for-profit educational schools, school districts and higher education associations are more than vital social institutions—they are complex organizations with operations and interests both domestic and international. Given their massive operating budgets, highly skilled labor force and the changing political agendas that can influence them, educational institutions are scrutinized by local, state and federal entities and, quite often, the general public.
Thompson Coburn is privileged to serve the people and institutions whose work is the foundation of a democratic society, and we are proud of the fact that relationships with some of our education clients go back more than 30 years. We work with school districts, public and private universities and colleges, technical institutes, higher education associations, research facilities, a public school retirement system and teaching hospitals. Our attorneys have particular skill handling litigation, labor and employment, public finance, intellectual property, capital projects, planned giving, nonprofit law and tax concerns for higher education clients.
We have an active public law and public finance practice in the Midwest, including tax-exempt and education-related bond financing. In 2009 alone, we served as bond counsel in several high-profile financings for a University System, with issuances totaling nearly $500 million. Our labor and employment attorneys regularly handle faculty and staff collective bargaining, structuring of benefit and compensation plans, immigration and employee-related litigation. Our intellectual property team works closely with faculty at leading university and research facilities to leverage and protect their intellectual capital around the world, and our real estate attorneys are highly experienced in all stages of capital projects. Our litigators defend technical institutes and for-profit educational institutions in student litigation.
Thompson Coburn has represented a University for over 15 years as borrower’s counsel, bond counsel and development counsel. The University operates a four-campus university system, an integrated health care system including multiple hospitals and medical clinics, and an extension program with activities in every county in the state. We have counseled the University in numerous areas of the law: financing, including service as bond counsel for the University's issuance of tax-exempt system facility revenue bonds; general litigation; real estate including acquisition, land use and planning, construction, and leasing; and administrative, regulatory and state law authority and governance issues.
We assisted the University with creation of a business park, a 35-acre park adjacent to the University's urban campus, that includes a Fortune 500 company, as a major subtenant. Our services included negotiation of redevelopment agreements and lease agreements with private developers; establishment of a zoning code and subdivision covenants; negotiation of cooperation agreements with other units of state and local government concerning public improvements; development incentives including special assessment district financing and tax abatement; legal counsel regarding environmental remediation and acquisition and sale of Brownfield redevelopment tax credits; and assistance with land assembly, construction, and evacuation and dedication of public roads.
Since 1998 one of the country’s largest secondary student loan markets has relied on Thompson Coburn as its primary outside counsel. In this role, the firm has negotiated non-bond financings, including $1 billion conduit financing and various lines of credit ranging in the hundreds of millions of dollars; analyzed and conducted contract negotiations with respect to the organization's student loan purchase program and other arrangements; negotiated and drafted state legislation affecting the organization; counseled them regarding compliance with Higher Education Act and regulations; advised on compliance with applicable commercial finance laws and regulations; and assisted with strategic financial planning.
Thompson Coburn lawyers served as bond counsel to Chicago Public Schools (CPS) in matters involving the structuring, issuance and sale of $409,555,000 in alternate revenue bonds to build new schools and fund other capital projects.
The Francis Howell R-III School District in St. Charles County, Missouri, engaged Thompson Coburn to serve as bond and disclosure counsel in financings that totaled more than $50 million in general obligation refunding bonds of the District.
On behalf of several universities, we have been actively involved in the process of technology acquisition and transfer, including drafting, counseling and negotiating related agreements. Those agreements have included patent and technology license agreements with large pharmaceutical and bio-tech companies for values in excess of several hundred million dollars. Additional agreements include third-party research and associated technology and patent license agreements through which a university may obtain commercial funding for ongoing research and lab support.
We have defended for-profit educational schools in lawsuits and arbitration brought by former students.
Safeguarding the Data and Your Compliance Program – USED and GLBA
A review of ED’s new third-party servicer guidance and suggestions for public comment
The Higher Education Regulatory Outlook for 2023
ED’s Proposed Borrower Defense to Repayment Rule: A Detailed Examination
ED’s New Title IX Rule: A Careful Review and Suggestions for Public Comment
ED’s Increased Scrutiny of College Contracts with Online Program Managers
Responding to Student Borrower Defense to Repayment (BDR) Claims
The Higher Education Regulatory Outlook for 2022
The Revised FTC Safeguards Rule - What It Means and Why It Is More Important Than You Might Think
Best Practices and Risk Considerations Relating to Summer Camps on Campus
Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccines in Postsecondary Education
Postsecondary Institutions: Business Considerations
Examining ED’s Incentive Compensation Rule
Higher Education Transactions: Valuation & Structure
CMMC and 800-171 in Government Contracting and Higher Education
The Regulatory Outlook for Higher Education
Protecting the Ever-Increasing Endpoints in Higher Education
Analyzing ED’s New Distance Education Rule
Title IX Module 6: Title IX Appeals
Title IX Module 5: Title IX Determinations
Title IX Module 4: Title IX Hearings
Title IX Module 3: Title IX Investigations & Informal Resolutions
Title IX Module 2: Formal Complaints of Title IX Sexual Harassment
Title IX Module 1: An Introduction to Managing Title IX Sexual Harassment on Campus
Getting Ready for USED’s New Student Disclosure Requirements
USED’s New Title IX Rule: A Detailed Examination
The CARES Act for Higher Education: Strategy and Implementation
Contingency Planning for Distressed Institutions of Higher Education
Higher Education & Immigration: Five Evolving Areas to Watch
Recent Court Decisions in Student Disputes That You Should Know About
A Year-End Roundup of USED Rulemaking Activity
Merging Institutions of Higher Education: Corporate and Tax Considerations
An Examination of ED's New Borrower Defense Rule: The Borrower Defense Claim Process
Colleges Held for Ransom: Responding to a Ransomware Attack
Examining the USED Approval Process for Higher Ed Mergers and Acquisitions
A Midsummer Update on USED Rulemaking Activity
Charitable Giving for Institutions of Higher Education
Advertising and Communications for Institutions of Higher Education
Intellectual Property Primer for Higher Ed Institutions
Guidance on Borrower Defense Regulations
USED’s Proposed Title IX Rules: A Detailed Examination
Mergers and Acquisitions in Higher Education: Key Points of the Letter of Intent
Minimizing Litigation Risk As To Student-Related Disputes
Disclosure Requirements for Online and Distance Professional Licensure Programs
Borrower Defense Rule: Negotiated Rulemaking Session 3
Borrower Defense Rule: Negotiated Rulemaking Session 2
Borrower Defense Rule: Negotiated Rulemaking Session 1
Gainful Employment Disclosures and Student Warnings
New Audit Guidelines for Higher Educational Institutions
Final Borrower Defense Rule Webinar Series
Borrower Defense Rule Webinar Series
Gainful Employment Webinar Series
National Policy Perspectives on Cybersecurity
FSA issues GLBA Safeguards Rule guidance
Department of Education agrees to mass granting of BDR applications to settle lawsuit
U.S. Department of Education unveils proposed revisions to Title IX regulations
Negotiated rulemaking and the new 90/10 rule
Website accessibility considerations for private institutions of higher education
Summer camps on campus: A risk management checklist for postsecondary professionals
Free Title IX compliance checklist for institutions of higher education
Thompson Coburn releases free Title IX training series for institutions of Higher Education
Announcing the 2019-2020 Higher Education Webinar Series
Will the Higher Education Act be reauthorized in 2018?
Missouri appellate court opens the door to Spearin claims by contractors against public entities
JD Supra names Aaron Lacey a 2023 Readers’ Choice Top Author for Education
Thompson Coburn lawyers help a much-in-demand charter school grow
Bill Bay receives Spurgeon Smithson award
St. Louisans: Recycle your eclipse glasses for Astronomers Without Borders
Rhonda Thomas listed in Crain’s Chicago Business among ‘Most Influential Women Lawyers in Chicago’
Bill Bay to receive Distinguished Lawyer Award at 2017 Law Day festivities
Bill Bay named a 2016 ‘Excellence in Law’ award winner by St. Louis Magazine
Securing access to education for special needs children
Thompson Coburn earns corporate counsel recommendations five years running in national report
U.S. Olympic Committee appoints Ken Salomon to ethics committee
Chris Murray named to National Law Journal’s '40 under 40'
St. Louis Business Journal covers Thompson Coburn’s work on unique Superfund settlement
University of Missouri refinances $300 million in outstanding bonds
William B. Guerri Chair at LSEM secures access to education for expelled students
Bill Bay named co-chair of Joint Commission on Women in the Profession
EPA, Boys & Girls Club announce $30 million cleanup of Superfund site
Street Law program introduces 90 St. Louis students to careers in the law
Thompson Coburn launches new bipartisan Lobbying & Policy group in Washington, D.C.
Thompson Coburn successfully challenges school district’s censoring of LGBT websites
Thompson Coburn part of team that won landmark religious liberty case in U.S. Supreme Court
Partner
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St. Louis
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Bill represents major corporations in high-stakes litigation in state and federal courts across the country. Bill represents major corporations in high-stakes litigation in state and f... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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Ed serves as a key tax advisor to companies embarking on any type of corporate restructuring, from acquisitions and dispositions to spinoffs and management changes. Ed serves as a key tax advisor to companies embarking on any type of corpor... |
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Associate
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St. Louis
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With previous experience in higher education and secondary school administration and a master's degree from Harvard Graduate School of Education, Stephanie is keenly awar... With previous experience in higher education and secondary school administr... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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Garrett counsels banks, financial institutions and other businesses on a variety of tax credit, commercial transaction and regulatory issues. Garrett counsels banks, financial institutions and other businesses on a va... |
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Senior Counsel
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St. Louis
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Dean has extensive first chair trial experience, limiting his practice to intellectual property and commercial litigation. Dean has extensive first chair trial experience, limiting his practice to i... |
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Partner
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Washington, D.C.
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A former deputy general counsel for a private university, Scott understands the unique challenges that our higher education clients face and how to best help them achieve... A former deputy general counsel for a private university, Scott understands... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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Ed is a veteran litigator and head of the Firm's Antitrust Practice Group. Ed is a veteran litigator and head of the Firm's Antitrust Practice Group. |
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Associate
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St. Louis
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Eric is an associate in the Firm's business litigation and higher education groups. Eric is an associate in the Firm's business litigation and higher education... |
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Advisor
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Washington, D.C.
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Jack combines his policy and communications experience to help clients meet their legislative and regulatory goals. Jack combines his policy and communications experience to help clients meet... |
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Senior Counsel
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St. Louis
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For more than 30 years, Lori has been helping clients solve some of the most challenging employee benefit problems. For more than 30 years, Lori has been helping clients solve some of the mos... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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Larry practices in the Firm's private client services area and is a frequent speaker around the country to professional groups. Larry practices in the Firm's private client services area and is a frequen... |
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Partner
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Chicago
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David is Co-Chair of the Firm's Corporate and Securities Practice Group. David is Co-Chair of the Firm's Corporate and Securities Practice Group. |
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Senior Counsel
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St. Louis
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Sara is a trusted legal advisor to public entities, nonprofit borrowers, investment bankers and bankers in a wide variety of public financing and lending transactions. Sara is a trusted legal advisor to public entities, nonprofit borrowers, in... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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The Chair of Thompson Coburn's Higher Education Practice, Aaron assists institutions to navigate a wide range of complex legal and regulatory matters. The Chair of Thompson Coburn's Higher Education Practice, Aaron assists ins... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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Mike focuses his legal practice on public finance, corporate law, business transactions, governmental and nonprofit law. Mike focuses his legal practice on public finance, corporate law, business ... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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Rick advises companies and individuals on a variety of federal (domestic and international), state and local tax matters. Rick advises companies and individuals on a variety of federal (domestic an... |
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Partner
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Chicago
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Susan is a highly experienced employment law attorney who serves as a seamless extension of her clients' HR and in-house legal teams. Susan is a highly experienced employment law attorney who serves as a seaml... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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Sonette is a highly experienced litigator and business advisor who counsels corporate clients on all phases of commercial litigation in state and federal courts throughou... Sonette is a highly experienced litigator and business advisor who counsels... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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Steve serves as a trusted advisor to financial institutions engaged in all types of public finance and lending transactions. Steve serves as a trusted advisor to financial institutions engaged in all ... |
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Partner
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Washington, D.C.
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Clients have consistently praised Emily for her "practical, common sense solutions" and "natural instincts" for deal flow. Clients have consistently praised Emily for her "practical, common sense so... |
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Partner
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Washington, D.C.
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Chris came to Washington to attend college and has been at the intersection of politics and education ever since. Chris came to Washington to attend college and has been at the intersection... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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Chuck is a creative and highly efficient employment litigator and advisor to private and public sector employers across a wide spectrum of industries. Chuck is a creative and highly efficient employment litigator and advisor t... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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Ali is experienced in various types of tax-exempt and taxable financings as bond counsel, underwriter's counsel, issuer's counsel, disclosure counsel and bank counsel. Ali is experienced in various types of tax-exempt and taxable financings as... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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Steve advises clients on domestic and international patent applications and provides comprehensive counsel on licensing and technology transfer. Steve advises clients on domestic and international patent applications and... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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Debbie is a key legal advisor to public entities, investment bankers, banks and developers in all types of public finance and development incentive transactions. Debbie is a key legal advisor to public entities, investment bankers, banks... |
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Partner
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Washington, D.C.
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Ken has spent his entire legal career in the public and private sectors in Washington, DC and has a thorough understanding and appreciation of how lobbying can advance cl... Ken has spent his entire legal career in the public and private sectors in ... |
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Senior Counsel
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St. Louis
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Linda advises companies that provide goods or services to the federal government; she also has extensive experience in business immigration matters. Linda advises companies that provide goods or services to the federal gover... |
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Associate
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Chicago
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Kayla brings a keen insight to assess corporate transactions from an analytical and economic perspective. Kayla brings a keen insight to assess corporate transactions from an analyt... |
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Partner
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Chicago
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Rhonda is a finance attorney who leads complex, large-scale projects for public- and private-sector clients across the country. Rhonda is a finance attorney who leads complex, large-scale projects for pu... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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As chairman of the Firm's Sports Law Group, Bob represents teams, prospective buyers of sports teams, companies interested in sports marketing and civic and government en... As chairman of the Firm's Sports Law Group, Bob represents teams, prospecti... |
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Associate
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Washington, D.C.
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Throughout her career, Hope has always found ways to help public institutions achieve their goals. Throughout her career, Hope has always found ways to help public institutio... |
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Counsel
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Washington, D.C.
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Katie handles a wide variety of regulatory and transactional work for the nonprofit and for-profit higher education sector, including online education programs, and has e... Katie handles a wide variety of regulatory and transactional work for the n... |
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NOTICE.
Although we would like to hear from you, we cannot represent you until we know that
doing so will not create a conflict of interest. Also, we cannot treat unsolicited
information as confidential. Accordingly, please do not send us any information
about any matter that may involve you until you receive a written statement from
us that we represent you (an ‘engagement letter’).
By clicking the ACCEPT button, you agree that we may review any information you transmit to us. You recognize that our review of your information, even if you submitted it in a good faith effort to retain us, and, further, even if you consider it confidential, does not preclude us from representing another client directly adverse to you, even in a matter where that information could and will be used against you. Please click the ACCEPT button if you understand and accept the foregoing statement and wish to proceed.