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Overview

Mary is an education-focused attorney who is passionate about helping organizations to serve students and advance their missions.

With a master’s in education, Mary taught elementary school for two years in Washington, DC. She left the classroom to go to law school, but continued to see education as a great equalizer that expands students’ opportunities. She chose to pursue a legal career working with colleges, universities and schools to help ensure access to learning.

Today, Mary represents educational institutions in state and federal litigation and administrative proceedings; conducts investigations; and provides counsel on administration, policies, student matters and employment issues. She works with both public and private institutions, including national research universities, academic medical centers, religiously affiliated colleges and K-12 schools. She previously served as a law fellow at the National Education Association, where she gained a close perspective on the goals and priorities of in-house counsel, and as an intern in the U.S. Department of Education, Office of the General Counsel.

What she loves most about her work is creating innovative strategies for clients: Mary sees the law and legal cases as puzzles, and she excels at assembling the pieces to find best solutions. Her aim is to solve problems that would otherwise get in the way of clients’ educational mission.

Industries

Services

Recognition

  • Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll, High Honors, 2020

Education

  • J.D., Georgetown University Law Center
    • cum laude
    • Georgetown Journal on Poverty Law & Policy, Executive Editor
    • Juvenile Justice Clinic
  • M.Ed., Lesley University
    • Elementary Education (1-6)
    • Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8)
  • B.A., University of Notre Dame

Admissions

  • Illinois
  • District of Columbia
  • Minnesota
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • Chicago Bar Association
  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • Illinois Council of School Attorneys
  • National Association of College and University Attorneys
  • National Council of School Attorneys
2024 Pro Bono Contributor
Outside the Office

Mary enjoys visiting new countries and experiencing different cultures around the world. She chooses a diving-friendly vacation every other year—Cozumel is a favorite.

When she’s at home, you can often find her curled up with a book and her two rescue cats. The founder of a book club, Mary particularly enjoys memoirs, but her guilty pleasure is legal thrillers.

Mary is also a dedicated Notre Dame football fan who attends several games every year.

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