For more than 25 years Mary has represented and provided legal counsel to nonprofit organizations of all kinds, including public charities, private foundations, community foundations and trade and other associations. Her practice encompasses the creation, tax exemption, governance, general operations, reorganization and merger of a wide variety of organizations, including arts, social service, health care, educational, housing, religious and grant-making entities, both domestic and international. Mary also represents a number of consumer cooperatives regionally, primarily food cooperatives.

Mary chairs the firm’s Nonprofit practice group, and was the recipient of the firm’s 2006 Pro Bono Service to the Community Award. Mary is rated AV® by Martindale-Hubbell.

Mary is or has been a guest lecturer, teacher and speaker to many organizations and schools in the Upper Midwest including the Minnesota Council on Foundations, University of St. Thomas, Macalester College and the National Guild of Community Arts Schools.

Prior to joining Leonard, Street and Deinard, Mary was a partner with a major Saint Paul law firm and served as executive director of a small company private foundation. She also served as a law clerk to Justice George Scott of the Minnesota Supreme Court before commencing private practice.  

Professional and Civic Activities

• Board member, Minnesota Dance Theatre and School
• Board member, The Cornerstone Trust
• Past board member, United Way
• Past board member, United Theological Seminary
• Past board member, Boys and Girls Club of Saint Paul
• Past board member, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
• Past board member, The Schubert Club
• Past board member, Southern Theater
• Past board member, Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness
• Past board member, Saint Paul Arts Partnership

Education

• J.D., University of Chicago Law School, 1979
• B.A., magna cum laude, History, Lawrence University, 1976
       Phi Beta Kappa

Admissions

• State of Minnesota, 1980