Mary is a skilled education attorney with significant experience representing educational institutions in complex litigation and sensitive campus matters. Her practice centers on student, faculty, and staff issues, where she brings strategic insight to every case.
Mary advises public and private colleges, universities, academic medical centers, and K–12 schools on a wide range of issues, including student conduct, employment matters, student and staff accommodations, accreditation matters, and compliance with civil rights laws. She regularly defends institutions in state and federal court as well as in administrative proceedings and conducts internal investigations with a focus on fairness, compliance, and mission alignment. Mary has significant experience with litigation and regulatory compliance under Titles VI and IX of the Higher Education Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, and other federal laws. She also routinely defends claims under the U.S. Constitution, particularly with respect to free speech, religious freedom, equal protection, and due process issues, as well as claims arising under state law. She enjoys challenging legal questions and is a passionate and committed advocate for clients.
Before entering the legal field, Mary earned a master’s degree in elementary and special education and taught elementary school. Her classroom experience continues to inform her legal work, grounding her advocacy in a commitment to educational equity and institutional integrity. Mary’s goal is to help clients navigate legal complexities in order to further their educational missions.