About Kelly N. Hutchinson

Kelly Hutchinson advises state and local governments, transportation agencies, water and wastewater facilities, sports and convention facilities, educational institutions, and investment banks on public finance matters that drive critical infrastructure and community development. With over 20 years of experience as an issuer, municipal advisor, investment banker and legal counsel, she brings a comprehensive perspective to every transaction, anticipating challenges and guiding deals to successful closings.

Experience forged from having sat in every seat at the finance table

Kelly has broad experience in both tax-exempt and taxable financings, including public offerings, direct purchases and private placements. She advises clients on financings involving a variety of structures, including fixed and variable rate, letter of credit, bond insurance and certificates of participation. She also assists clients in the bond financing mechanics relating to tender offers and forward-delivery agreements. She has served as bond counsel, underwriter's counsel, disclosure counsel or issuer's counsel for every major municipal borrower in Illinois and for significant issuers in New York and California.

Known as Katten's go-to person for tender offers, Kelly has developed a strong track record, frequently advising clients on the mechanics and strategy of tender offers. In 2024 alone, Kelly handled more than 10 tender offers, helping clients navigate the complexities of these transactions with efficiency and clarity.

Before joining Katten, Kelly was Director of Capital Markets for the State of Illinois, managing a $30 billion debt portfolio and leading one of the largest tax-exempt offerings in recent years — a $6 billion general obligation bond sale. Drawing on her experience as chief compliance officer and director at a registered municipal advisory firm, as well as her time as an investment banking analyst at JP Morgan, she brings a deep understanding of every deal participant's perspective, skillfully steering challenging, high-stakes negotiations toward successful outcomes.

Clients appreciate Kelly's calm leadership and her ability to build consensus among issuers, underwriters, bankers and other legal counsel. She regularly advises on Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) disclosure requirements, drafts official statements and bond purchase agreements, and structures financings for airports, highways, passenger rail, water and wastewater systems, schools, universities, hotels and convention and sports facilities.

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Practice Focus

  • Government and public finance
  • Transportation (including airports, harbors, highways and passenger rail)
  • Water and wastewater facilities
  • Hotels, sports and convention facilities
  • Higher education, primary and secondary education and charter school facility financing
  • Tax-exempt and taxable financings
  • Public offerings, tender offers (corporate and municipal), direct purchases, private placements
  • Variable rate offerings
  • Public policy and legislation
  • Post-issuance and continuing disclosure compliance

News

Presentations and Events

Practices
Industries
Education
  • Tulane University Law School, JD
  • Pomona College, BA
Bar Admissions
  • Illinois
Community Involvements
  • Chicago Summer Business Institute, Board Member
  • Chicago Children's Advocacy Center, Pro Bono Legal Counsel
  • National Association of Bond Lawyers Women in Public Finance, Former National Board Member; Former Chicago Board Member
Recognitions
Recognized or listed in the following:
  • Leadership Greater Chicago
    Fellow, 2022
Award Methodologies