April C. Lucas

April Lucas practices in the areas of corporate, economic development, finance, international, public contracts, and public finance law.

Ms. Lucas graduated from the University of South Carolina with an intensive degree in International Studies and received her law degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Ms. Lucas practiced in Washington until 1981, gaining experience in maritime, transportation and other administrative law.

Ms. Lucas heads Nexsen Pruet's economic development and public finance groups, and co-chairs its Women's Leadership Initiative. She assists both government entities and private companies with capital projects by coordinating legal services, particularly financing and state and local tax incentives. Over the years, Ms. Lucas has been instrumental in cutting edge financing programs. She participated in the first asset securitization transaction in the nation involving community development block grant loans, as well as one of the first privately enhanced pooled industrial development bond programs. She also closed the first Recovery Zone Facility Bond transaction in South Carolina. 

Ms. Lucas frequently works with state and local government agencies and business groups on legislative matters and strategic planning for economic development and public finance. She served recent terms as President of the South Carolina Economic Developers Association and lectures frequently on finance and economic development topics.

• President of the Midlands International Trade Association (MITA) & Former Executive Committee Member and Delegate on Trade Missions to Great Britain
• City of Columbia - Mayor's Economic Development Steering Committee
• South Carolina Department of Revenue - Economic Development Incentives Committee
• Columbia World Affairs Council - Board Member
• South Carolina Department of Commerce Crescent Fund - Advisory Committee
• South Carolina Cotton Museum - Board Member
• Women's Business Development Center - Former Board Member
• Governor's Task Force on Economic Development Incentives
• Governor's Welfare Blue Ribbon Committee
• South Carolina Delegation to SEUS-Japan and SEUS-Korea
• South Carolina Economic Developers Association - Former President
• YWCA - TWIN (Tribute to Women and Industry) Award and TWIN Diamond Award for Business and Industry - 2006
• South Carolina Small and Minority Business Council - Former Board Member

• "Winning Boeing - Serendipitous encounter pulled Wilkins into hunt for Boeing"
  "Winning Boeing - Serendipitous encounter pulled Wilkins into hunt for Boeing" is the cover story of the May 14th edition of the Columbia Regional Business Report. Veteran reporter Jim Hammond detailed the important role Nexsen Pruet attorney Billy Wilkins played in bringing the aerospace manufacturing giant to South Carolina.
• April Lucas Elected President of International Trade Group
  Nexsen Pruet attorney April Lucas has been unanimously elected as the President of the Midlands International Trade Association (MITA). Lucas is co-chair of the firm’s Economic Development Group and her term began on January 1st.
• Economic Development Magazine Lists Nexsen Pruet in "Trade Allies" Directory
  Economic development magazine Southern Business & Development has published its "2nd Annual Trade Allies Directory" which lists "The South's Best Economic Development Law Firms."
• "S.C. sends delegation, business leaders to air show"
  After returning from the Paris Air Show, Nexsen Pruet attorney Leighton Lord told The Charleston Regional Business Journal about how the Palmetto state is seen "as a growing hub in the aviation industry."
• (Video)"Boeing opens new North Charleston assembly plant"
  At the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Boeing plant in North Charleston on June 10th, South Carolina Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell told the audience "It was just a few short years ago when we met at Nexsen Pruet and looked at the concept with the officials from Boeing. Look what this State has achieved as a team."

• State Economic Development Incentives for the Agribusiness Industry
  Nexsen Pruet and the Palmetto AgriBusiness Council hosted a State and Economic Development Incentives Seminar for the Agribusiness Industry on Friday, November 2nd in Columbia.
• Financing Options for Public Infrastructure Serving Industrial/Business Parks
  On June 8, April Lucas spoke on "Financing Options for Public Infrastructure Serving Industrial/Business Parks" at the Economic Development Seminar held at Nexsen Pruet's Columbia office.
• Economic Development Newbie Seminar
• SC Economic Development Issues Under Freedom of Information Act
• International Law Update
  Appeals court says international contract requires litigation in England.
• Financing Techniques for Commercial Retail Projects
  Nexsen Pruet attorneys April Lucas and Bob Coble were joined by Matt Kennell from City Center Partnership, Inc. to discuss financing techniques for commercial retail projects at Nexsen Pruet's economic development seminar.
• Mast General Store Case Study
  Nexsen Pruet attorney April Lucas and Jim Gambrell, Economic Development Director for the City of Columbia, gave this presentation discussing the details of Mast General Store's decision to come to Columbia.
• Industrial Revenue Bonds in South Carolina - 2010
  This brochure provides an overview of financing with industrial revenue bonds (“IDBs” or “bonds”) and presents the basic facts and concepts in simple terms.
• Job Development Credits, Jobs Tax Credits and Other Enterprise Zone Benefits - 2010
  This brochure highlights the principal benefits available to qualifying South Carolina businesses under the South Carolina Enterprise Zone Act, as modified by the Economic Development Industrial Cluster Act of 1996 and the Rural Development Act of 1996 (as so modified, and as amended, the “EZA”).
• Negotiated Fees In Lieu of Taxes and Special Source Revenue Bonds/Credits in South Carolina – 2010
  This brochure outlines the basic structure of the negotiated Fee in Lieu of Taxes ("FILOT") and Special Source Revenue Bond/Credit programs in South Carolina, each of which relates to property taxes for qualifying businesses.
• Trade Allies Directory
  The new edition of Southern Business & Development magazine features the "1st Annual Trade Allies Directory." Nexsen Pruet is the only law firm listed in both North and South Carolina. What's more, Sanford Holshouser, the firm Nexsen Pruet joined forces with in January, also made the list in North Carolina.
• Major Victories for City Priorities in American Recovery Conference Agreement: Report #2
  Major Victories for City Priorities in American Recovery Conference Agreement: Report #2
• Stimulus Spending Breakdown by State and Category
  Stimulus Spending Breakdown by State and Category
• Major Victories for City Priorities in American Recovery Conference Agreement: Report #1
  Major Victories for City Priorities in American Recovery Conference Agreement: Report #1
• Getting Started: Practical Tips for Establishing or Expanding Business in the USA
  Nexsen Pruet attorney April Lucas authors an article entitled "Getting Started: Practical Tips for Establishing or Expanding Business in the USA."
• Top 10 Law Firms that Understand Economic Development
  Nexsen Pruet is named among the top law firms in the Southeast for economic development - and is the only law firm listed in South Carolina.

• Economic Development Seminar
• Project Finance Seminar
• Nexsen Pruet's 2nd Annual Economic Developer's School
• 2008 Economic Development and Tax Incentive Update
• Are You Up-to-Date? A Briefing on Economic Development in South Carolina