N. Banu Colak

Senior Counsel


In her role as tax counsel in Dykema’s public finance group and previously as an Assistant Attorney General of the Finance Division, N. Banu Colak dealt with all manner of state and federal tax issues in tax exempt financing as well as state and local tax disputes and transactions. Now she brings that insight to clients, helping them navigate challenging issues of tax exemption, tax-exempt financing, and public finance.

Banu has represented the Treasury, Michigan Finance Authority, Michigan Strategic Fund, and State Building Authority in various taxable and tax-exempt issues. Her representation included State Aid Note, Local Government Loan Program, School Loan Revolving Fund, Higher Education Facilities projects, Tax Anticipation Notes, and commercial paper notes. Prior to committing her full practice to public finance, Banu has represented and consulted clients including Department of Treasury, local governments and drain commissioners in both transactional and tax controversy matters.

Banu also negotiated terms of private market investments, including partnership agreements, LLC agreements, corporate formation documents, side letter agreements, and subscription documents on behalf of the Bureau of Investments for compliance with Michigan laws and practice.

She has experience preparing employment, development and transactional contracts, resolutions and ordinances. Banu has provided legal opinions on CBAs, pension plans, employee benefits and tax laws.

While in private practice at The Hubbard Law Firm, P.C., Banu negotiated contracts, buy-sell agreements, and various corporate governance documents.

    • Thomas M. Cooley Law School, LL.M. in Corporate Law and Finance, 2013
    • Thomas M. Cooley Law School, LL.M. in Taxation, 2011
    • Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D. Cum Laude, 2010
    • Middle East Technical University, B.S. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, 1996
  • Bar Admissions

    • Michigan, 2010
    • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, 2010
    • Wisconsin, 2022
    • Michigan Bar Association, Taxation Section 2010-Present
    • Wisconsin Bar Association

    • Michigan Women in Finance, Board Member

    • National Association of Bond Lawyers
    • Assistant Attorney General, Finance Division, Michigan Department of Attorney General

    • Turkish

Latest News and Insights

Press Releases2.29.24

Ann Fillingham Wins Distinguished Legal Writing Award from The Burton Awards

Dykema is proud to announce that Ann Fillingham was selected as a winner of the “Law360…

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Press Releases8.24.23

Banu Colak Elected to Michigan Women in Finance Board of Directors

Banu Colak was elected to the Michigan Women in Finance Board of Directors for a six-year term,…

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ArticlesJune 2023

Municipal Market Evolution Reflecting the Constitutional Underpinnings of the Law of Public Finance

Ann Fillingham, Director of Dykema’s Regulated Industries Department, and a member of the firm’s…

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