Summary

Mary advises clients on the complex issues that arise with trusts and estates. In her 30 years of experience, Mary has established herself as an invaluable resource for families, business owners, executives, wealth managers, accountants, insurance advisors, bank trust officers, and other clients who have specific trust and estate questions. Her accomplishments and keen grasp of trust and estate issues are among the reasons why she has been honored for her work in trust and estate law by Leading Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America.

In her day-to-day practice, Mary advises clients on issues involving wills, estate planning, health care advance directives, estate and gift tax planning, and financial powers of attorney. She also advises her clients on issues involving charitable planning, private foundations, and trust and estate administration. Some of the strategies that Mary uses to help her clients include forming GRATs, family limited partnerships, limited liability companies and dynasty trusts. Mary began her legal career as an assistant trust counsel for a major regional bank and regularly draws upon this experience when advising clients.

When not counseling clients, Mary plays an active role in her community. She is a current member and past board chair of the board of trustees for the Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, as well as a member of its strategic planning committee. Mary also volunteers at Saturday Hoops to provide lunch for the participants.

Mary earned her J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law and received her B.S. in finance from Miami University in Ohio.

Awards

  • AV Peer Review Rated, LexisNexis/Martindale-Hubbell

  • Honoree, Best Lawyers in America, Trusts & Estates Law (2008 – present)

  • Leading Lawyers Honoree, Cincy Magazine, Trust (2018 – present)

  • Bridge Builder Award Honoree, Greater Cincinnati Foundation (2018)

All Service Areas

Education

  • University of Cincinnati College of Law (1987)
  • Miami University (1984)

Admissions

  • Federal - Southern District of Ohio
  • State - Ohio
  • State - Kentucky

Speeches and Publications

Author, “The Importance of Estate Planning” for the Wise Wellness Guild’s “Secrets of Successful Women” Series, Aug. 30, 2021.

Co-Author, “Four Tips for Successful Business Succession Planning,” Taft Law Bulletin, May 2016.

Co-Author, “Powers of Attorney and Living Wills,” Taft Law Bulletin, Oct. 2015.

Professional Affiliations

  • Cincinnati Bar Association

    Member, Probate Section
    Member, Trusts & Estates Section

  • Cincinnati Estate Planning Council

    Member

  • Estate Planning Council of Northern Kentucky

    Member

  • Kentucky Bar Association

    Member

  • Northern Kentucky Bar Association

    Member, Estate Planning & Probate Section

  • Women Estate Planners of Cincinnati

    Member

Community Involvement

  • Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired

    Past Chair, Board of Trustees 

  • Greater Cincinnati Foundation

    Member, Foundation Advisory Network