PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Since 2002, Mary has worked for Tousley Brain Stephens PLLC, handling a diverse case load of homeowner association disputes, real estate and commercial litigation, class action and other matters. Mary works with numerous homeowners and homeowner associations on all matters related to ownership of condominiums, cooperatives, townhouses and subdivisions. She counsels associations and property owners on their rights and obligations under their governing documents and Washington law and actively seeks resolution of disputes both inside and outside of the courtroom. In this regard, she actively participates with homeowner associations in drafting amendments to governing documents, implementing due process procedures, enforcing covenants, and collecting delinquent dues.
In addition to her work with homeowners and homeowner associations, Mary litigates real estate disputes in both Washington and California. Her case load includes disputes regarding breach of real estate purchase and sale agreements, commission disputes, timber trespass, and easement disputes.
Mary has also acted as co-counsel on several class actions, representing Washington, California, and multi-state classes. Mary's class action case load includes antitrust, securities, and non-injury product defect cases
Before joining Tousley Brain Stephens PLLC, Mary worked as an associate attorney at Lieff, Cabraser, Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, in San Francisco, California, and clerked for the Presiding Judge's Department for the Superior Court of San Francisco, California, Civil Division and The Honorable Larry Zervos, Superior Court, Sitka, Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS
Trimble v. Holmes Harbor Sewer District, et al. - Member of litigation and trial team representing plaintiff class of bond investors against 25 defendants who participated in the creation, marketing and sale of fraudulent bonds ostensibly on behalf of Whidbey Island's Holmes Harbor Sewer District. Recovered over $15 million for the class.
Richison v. American Cemwood Corp. - Member of litigation team representing national (excluding Colorado) class of Cemwood shake property owners. The San Joaquin County Superior Court approved a $105 million partial settlement with the manufacturer's parent company. The remaining claims settled shortly before trial for an additional $83 million.
S.B. v. Nusbaum - Represented a minor in an abuse case that settled for over $800,000.
Carlson v. Gable - Prevailed at trial in a timber trespass case on behalf of a property owner whose neighbor wrongfully cleared a path over his property by asserting the existence of an easement. After obtaining a summary dismissal of the neighbor's easement claim, our clients' claim for damages proceeded to trial, where they were awarded a judgment for their damages and all of their attorney fees and costs.
San Francisco Superior Court Civil Harassment Restraining Order Clinic - Partnered with Hastings College of Law to create and implement a clinic at San Francisco Superior Court to assist applicants for civil harassment restraining orders.
PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Washington State Bar
Rules for Professional Conduct Committee (2006 - 2007)
State Bar of California
King County Washington Women's Lawyer's Association (2006 - present)
Board Member 2008-present
YWCA Girls First! Mentorship Program (2009)
PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
Recognized as a "Rising Star" by Washington Law & Politics magazine
EDUCATION
J.D., University of California, Hastings College of Law
Public Interest Scholar
B.A., with high honors in Anthropology, University of California, Berkeley
President's Scholarship recipient for independent research in South Africa
ADMISSIONS
Washington
California
Alaska (Inactive)
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
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