Margaret McFarland

Margaret McFarland has over two decades of experience in real estate development, starting as an urban planner in Ohio. After earning her law degree, she joined O'Melveny & Myers in Washington, DC, assisting clients with financing for commercial properties, including those seeking historic preservation designation.

In 1985, McFarland became counsel to Maryland's housing finance agency, issuing revenue bonds for affordable housing and infrastructure projects. She later served as general counsel for Maryland's community development and historic preservation programs. She also worked on a task force to establish a partnership between St. Mary's College and Historic St. Mary's City.

After her tenure with the Maryland Attorney General's Office, McFarland returned to the private sector, consulting on tax credits and financing for community redevelopment and affordable housing. She then served as Executive Director of the Housing Credit Group for the National Association of Home Builders, gaining a national reputation in Low Income Housing Tax Credit projects.

Most recently, McFarland was General Counsel for the District of Columbia Housing Authority, focusing on mixed-income housing and community redevelopment in Washington, DC. She is a member of the DC and Maryland bars and chairs the Practice Division of State and Local Law for the ABA Forum on Affordable Housing and Community Development. Additionally, she is an outside director of the Neighborhood Development Collaborative, a trustee for Andrews University and Washington Adventist University, and serves on several boards related to housing and real estate.