About Margaret

Complex transactions, easy-to-work-with counsel

Margaret Utterback advises tax-exempt organizations on a variety of complex transactional matters. Working with clients in the health care, higher education, senior living and other sectors, she assists with:

  • Mergers, acquisitions (M&A) and related transactions
  • Financing, especially tax-exempt financing for health care and senior living facilities
  • Strategic advice and day-to-day issue spotting as outside general counsel

Maggie also advises automotive manufacturers on M&A, dealer programs, commercial contracts and other matters. Her clients know her as a smart, funny, caring and easy-to-work-with lawyer who provides clear and patient guidance throughout the duration of complex transactions. They rely on her to chart a course to accomplish their legal and business goals and, when necessary, for creative solutions that may diverge from the expected path but arrive at favorable outcomes effectively and efficiently.

She is chair of the Madison Business Law Practice Group and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee.

Experience in Action

  • Advising on affiliation transactions, representing health systems, independent nonprofit hospitals and senior living facilities.
  • Advising on financing transactions, including negotiating and restructuring credit facilities for privately held clients and advising tax-exempt clients in connection with publicly offered bonds and private placements.
  • Representing commercial lenders and borrowers in single lender and syndicated credit transactions and secured and unsecured financings.
  • Negotiating and drafting commercial agreements, including broker agreements, confidentiality agreements, letters of intent, supply agreements, standard terms and conditions of sale and purchase, and third-party legal opinions.
  • Serving as outside general counsel to privately held businesses, providing strategic advice for growth initiatives and corporate governance as well as identifying and handling day-to-day operational issues.

Professional Recognitions

  • Best Lawyers in America® "Lawyer of the Year" (2020, 2025: Corporate Law) 
  • Chambers USA® (2016-present: Banking & Finance)
  • Wisconsin Super Lawyers® 2016-present: Business/Corporate)
  • Best Lawyers in America® (2013-present: Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Law)
  • Wisconsin Super Lawyers® "Rising Stars" (2008-2010: Business/Corporate)
  • Best Lawyers in America® "Lawyer of the Year" (2022, 2024: Corporate Compliance Law) 

Professional & Civic Activities

  • University of Wisconsin Madison Law School, adjunct faculty (2011-2013)
  • Wisconsin Bar Association, member (2001-present)
  • American Bar Association, member (2001-present)
  • International Association of Privacy Professionals, member
  • Blue and Gold officer (2000-2013)
  • Children’s Theatre of Madison, board member (2011-2017)
  • Girl Scouts of Wisconsin – Badgerland, Inc., board of directors (2014-2021), chair (2015-2021)
  • Second Harvest Food Bank of Southern Wisconsin, board of directors (2015-present)

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