Our team
The people behind the advice.
Every advisor at Sterling & Hale is a licensed fiduciary — legally required to act in your interest, not ours. No referral commissions, no sales quotas.
Margaret co-founded Sterling & Hale in 1998 after a decade at a regional brokerage where she managed over $200M in client assets. She built the financial planning practice around a fiduciary-first model at a time when fee-only advice was still rare. Her focus is retirement income strategy, estate coordination, and tax-efficient wealth transfer for executives and business owners approaching or in retirement.
Specialisms
- Retirement income planning
- Estate coordination
- Tax-efficient wealth transfer
- Executive compensation
Education & credentials
B.S. Finance, University of Wisconsin · CFP® Certificant · NAPFA Member
David leads the legal practice, focusing on business formation, operating agreements, succession planning, and commercial contract review. Before co-founding the firm, he spent eight years in corporate law advising mid-market companies on M&A and regulatory compliance. He bridges the gap between legal counsel and business strategy — clients describe working with him as having a general counsel on retainer without the overhead.
Specialisms
- Business formation & operating agreements
- Succession planning
- Contract review & negotiation
- Regulatory compliance
Education & credentials
J.D., University of Minnesota Law School · State Bar Certified · 24 years in practice
Renee joined Sterling & Hale in 2007 after leading commercial underwriting at a national carrier. She conducts annual coverage reviews across personal lines, commercial property, liability, and key-person policies — identifying gaps before they become claims. Her clients range from sole proprietors to businesses with complex multi-location exposures.
Specialisms
- Commercial liability & property
- Key-person insurance
- Personal lines coverage audits
- Risk gap analysis
Education & credentials
B.S. Risk Management & Insurance, Temple University · CPCU · CIC · NAIFA Member
How we work with every client.
Fiduciary first
Every recommendation is documented and legally required to be in your best interest — not ours.
Transparent pricing
You receive a written fee schedule before any work begins. No retainers, no hidden charges.
One point of contact
Your lead advisor coordinates across insurance, finance, and legal so nothing falls through the cracks.
Documented always
Every policy we place and every recommendation we make is documented and reviewed annually.
Ready to meet your advisor?
A 30-minute call is all it takes to find the right fit — no obligation.
Book a consultation