About Shawn Whitney

Shawn Whitney is an attorney. He currently serves as the co-chair of the real estate group at Spencer Fane, a full-service law firm with its headquarters in Kansas City and offices across the country.

Spencer Fane has a diverse clientele that spans a wide range of industries, including finance, insurance, franchising and distribution, manufacturing, construction, energy, mining, sports, transportation, education and health care. Attorneys at the firm are well-versed in advising businesses on banking and financial services, general corporate legal issues, intellectual property protection, tax incentives, labor law, education and environmental law. They also represent clients in litigation and dispute resolution.

Whitney has extensive experience in structuring low-income housing projects, handling historic rehabilitation and supervising tax credit transactions. He is conversant with many tax credits and other economic incentives, including the low-income housing tax credit, HOME funds, NMTC leveraged loans, HUD 221(d) construction loans and HUD 223(f) refinancing.

Whitney works closely with developers, syndicators, investors and lenders, and advises on the best practice of utilizing federal and state level incentives. He represents clients in the acquisition and disposition of projects, general partner removal issues, as well as the development of student housing and assisted living facilities. As chair of the tax credit finance and Opportunity Zones team of the company, he guides developers and investors to establish and invest in Qualified Opportunity Funds.

Whitney obtained his bachelor’s degree from Drury University and his juris doctor from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.