Margaret is a partner in the business law and litigation departments with two distinct areas of practice: creditors' rights and campaign finance. She currently serves as chair of the campaign finance, political committees and ethics practice group where she advises clients on matters relating to the regulation of corporate political activity, including the formation and administration of state and federal political action committees. She has represented clients in the North Carolina General Assembly and advised clients regarding the development of political compliance programs. She also has extensive experience in bankruptcy, restructuring and creditors' rights matters. Prior to joining the firm, Margaret served as law clerk to the Honorable J. Rich Leonard, Chief Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of North Carolina, 1996-1998.
Representative Matters
Represented major financial institution with administration of multiple federal and state political action committees and development of comprehensive political compliance program.
Represented clients on a wide variety of campaign finance and ethics issues involving regulation of political activity of corporations and government contractors.
Represented large landlord clients, including a shopping center REIT, in a variety of collection and bankruptcy matters, including bankruptcy proceedings involving national tenants.
Represented a wide range of secured and unsecured creditors in collection and bankruptcy matters, including adversary proceedings.
Represented secured and unsecured creditors in all phases of workout and restructuring process. Represented a variety of corporations in commercial disputes, large and small, in real estate disputes, UCC, lender liability and contract litigation.
Publications, Presentations and Awards
"Business Acquisition and Client Management," Panelist, UNC School of Law Women in the Legal Profession Symposium, March 2007
"Protecting Clients with Interests in the Tobacco Transition Payment Program," North Carolina Bar Association CLE, Speaker, September 2005
"Local Rules Update," Eastern Bankruptcy Institute, Speaker, 2003
"Legislative Update," North Carolina Bar Association, Business Law Section Annual Meeting, 2002
Comment, "School Finance Litigation Comes to North Carolina," 73 North Carolina Law Review 2123 (1995)
Professional, Civic and Community Involvement
Professional: Triangle Business Journal, Women in Business Award, 2007
North Carolina Bar Association, Women in Professionalism Committee, 2007; Bankruptcy Section Council, At Large Member, 2005-2008; Seminar Committee 2005-2008; Business Bankruptcy Committee 2006-2007; Legislative Committee Chair, 2000-2001, 2006-2007; Publication Committee Chair, 1999-2000
Public Affairs Council, Member, Seminar Planning Committee Member for February 2008 program
United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Exemption Review Committee, 2005; Local Rules Committee, 2000-present
Wake County Bar Association, Grievance Committee, 2007; Professionalism Committee, Member, 2002 - present
International Women's Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation, Member, 2004 - present
Civic/Community: North Carolina Museum of Art, Member, Opening Gala Committee Member, 2004
N.C. Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, Board of Directors, Secretary, 2000 - present. |