Derra Leigh Purnell

BBK Of Counsel Derra Leigh Purnell leads a team of attorneys in the Texas office. Derra serves as special counsel to local governments and nonprofit entities associated with local governments, including counties, housing authorities, housing finance corporations, cities, and special districts. She routinely assists local government clients with complex federally-funded affordable housing and public infrastructure projects. Derra has assisted local government and non-profit clients with projects involving a variety of funding sources, including ARPA SLFRF, ARPA CLFRF, CDBG, CDBG-DR, tax increment bonds, general obligation bonds, Homekey, HOME, NSP, CPF, ESG, HOME-ARP funds and LIHTC credits. Derra assists her clients with developing affordable housing programs and template documents, navigating funding source requirements and developing innovative solutions to meet their needs.

Derra also assists local government clients with drafting, updating and implementing federal and state procurement policies, procedures and processes. Derra helps her clients to navigate the interactions between federal and state law, as well as identifying opportunities for implementation of local policies that achieve a local government’s goals while also increasing efficiency and positive results for staff and elected officials.

Municipal clients also request assistance from Derra with comprehensive updates to their land development regulations, including subdivision regulation, building/construction codes, zoning regulation and water/wastewater impact fees. She is particularly well-versed in ICC code compliance, public-private partnership agreements, tax increment financing, development agreements, interlocal agreements, small cell node regulation and other land-use and development matters needed by local governments. Derra has a wealth of public service and corporate experience, which affords her a deep understanding of her clients’ range of complex legal needs.

With sophisticated regulatory knowledge and first-hand public sector experience, Derra advises on matters involving city services, operations, administration and more. Her astute legal guidance allows clients to focus on what matters most: serving their constituencies. Derra enjoys working with local governments because she gets to see interesting challenges and provide creative solutions. She appreciates the unique character of each local government and enjoys adapting to clients’ individual needs.