Blakely Fernandez

Blakely works with governmental entities and private-sector clients on projects where public priorities and business objectives intersect. She helps structure projects that include a public benefit and, often, incentives. As a former elected official, she recognizes the stewardship and political considerations involved in project development.

For public entities, Blakely serves as traditional bond counsel, public law and administrative law counsel, and special counsel on economic development. For private-sector clients, she acts as developer’s counsel, corporate counsel, and special counsel on public contracting and procurements.

Bexar County, Texas

• bond counsel and economic development counsel for a variety of projects, including certificates of obligation, energy savings finance agreements, special districts, housing and legislative issues

Nueces County, Texas

• bond counsel and economic development counsel for a variety of projects, including certificates of obligation, energy savings finance agreements, energy resilience contracts, special districts, housing and legislative issues

Webb County, Texas

• economic development counsel for negotiations with developer for a tax increment reinvestment zone and related public infrastructure

Wilson County, Texas 

• economic development counsel for negotiations with developers seeking incentive or abatement agreements 

Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority

• bond counsel and general counsel in a $212 million transaction for the 365 Tollway, which is a critical public safety and economic investment along the Texas-Mexican border which the Anzalduas and Pharr International Bridges and provides access to the McAllen International Bridge
• general counsel to a Texas toll road authority, including the development of the 365 Toll Road and International Trade Corridor Connector

City of El Paso, Texas

• economic development counsel on developing large scale quality of life projects, including a downtown arena and two museums

Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

• general counsel to a multi-county MPO in designing and negotiating a $230 million plan to finance transportation projects, creating the first Regional Infrastructure Fund in Texas

City of Laredo, Texas

• economic development counsel developing tax reinvestment strategy and negotiating terms for a 750-acre development

Texas Department of Transportation

• disclosure counsel on initial Texas Mobility Fund Obligations

• St. Mary's University School of Law, J.D., 2002, summa cum laude
• St. Mary's University, M.A., 1998
• Pepperdine University, B.A., 1991

Legal 500 United States

• Finance: Project Finance, 2025

San Antonio Chamber of Commerce

• Brenda Vickrey Johnson Award for Small Business, 2013

Super Lawyers

• Texas, Rising Star, 2006; 2009 – 2013

San Antonio Business Journal

• Woman’s Leadership Award, 2012
• Top 40 Under 40, 2006

• Texas Bar Foundation
• San Antonio Bar Foundation
• San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors, 2013 – 2016, 2007 – 2011, 2025 – 2028
• Family Violence Prevention Center, Board of Directors, 2025 – 2028
• Clarity Child Guidance Center, Board of Directors, 2022 – 2026
• Texas Women’s Forum, 2014 – 2026
• Leadership San Antonio Class 30, LSA Steering Committee Class 37
• Alamo Community College District, District 7 Trustee, 2010 – 2012
• San Antonio Education Partnership, Board of Directors, 2012 – 2018
• Austin-San Antonio Corridor Council, Executive Committee, 2005 – 2020
• Covid-19 Community Response Committee, Philanthropy Committee, Co-Chair, 2021

• "Is Using Value Engineering Change Proposals a Kind of P3?" Partnerships Bulletin, March 25, 2025.
• "Public Dollars in Private Developments," Urban Land Institute (ULI) San Antonio, November 2018.
• "85th Texas Legislature – Legislative Update," Texas Women in Public Finance, Austin, January 20, 2017.
• "Leveraging Private Sector Know-How for Successful Public Projects," The Bond Buyer, October 24, 2016.
• "Parity in Pay," San Antonio Equal Pay Summit, San Antonio, October 21, 2016.
• "Talking Eagle Ford Infrastructure," San Antonio Business Journal, February 27, 2014.
• "Charter School Parent Supports ‘Go Public Campaign,’" Rivard Report, November 17, 2013.
• Best Practices Handbook to Assist Communities in the Eagle Ford Shale, San Antonio River Authority, September 2013.
• "TAAS and GI Forum v. Texas Education Agency: A Critical Analysis and Proposals for Redressing Problems with Standardized Testing in Texas," St. Mary’s Law Journal, Vol. 33, No. 143, 2001.