I knew from the time I was a little girl that I wanted to become a lawyer. After my family suffered injustice in our own home and grappled with the tragic experience, I felt a passion for guiding others through some of the most traumatic moments of their lives. In 2012, I started my own firm, Guidance to Justice, PLLC, in Bothell, WA with that exact mission in mind. I am an accomplished trial and appellate attorney with judicial experience, a Judge Pro Tem, having presided over 1,700 cases to include civil and criminal matters. Now, I am excited to bring that same commitment to my role as your next Judge on the Snohomish County Superior Court for Position 12. 

I believe in bringing the people's voice to the Snohomish County Superior Court bench because everyone deserves an experienced, impartial, dedicated judge who is from the community and for its people. A judge that will call balls/balls and strikes/strikes. A judge who is impartial and ethical upholds the State and Federal Constitutions and will not place her thumb on the scales of justice. A judge who is well versed in many areas of law. Simply put, I am an experienced judge with in-depth knowledge in many areas of law combined with trial and appellate experience and over 25 years as a business owner; this experience ensures balance, fair and impartial rulings. 

In my practice, I'm committed to preventing injustices from happening to those who find themselves in danger of losing their homes, especially due to predatory banking practices. My firm’s motto is “Know your rights, understand your rights, and invoke your rights,” and I work with each client individually to give them a “voice” in the process, so they can reach their goals. My practice is focused on personal injury, real estate, loan modification, mediation under the Foreclosure Fairness Act, debt negotiation, and civil rights. I believe that these same principles apply to our courts. Every individual who comes into my courtroom will receive fair, balanced justice in their case. I will ensure that attorneys, respondents, defendants, witnesses, and other courtroom participants are aware of their rights, the rights of each party in the case, and have the opportunity for their arguments to be heard in open court and for the law to be applied evenly and appropriately.

I graduated from Seattle University School of Law in 2011, hold an undergraduate degree from Central Washington University, and attended Edmonds College earning my associate and Paralegal degrees simultaneously. I am licensed to practice in Washington State courts, the Western District of Washington, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. I am a founding Board Member of Northwest Consumer Law Center. I am a past member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates and a past Eagle member of the Washington State Association for Justice. I have had the honor of arguing before our State Supreme Court twice. One of those occasions was a direct review by the Supreme Court when I was just two years out of law school, and argued the case as lead counsel three years out of law school. The court ruled unanimously in my client's favor in a 9-0 opinion. Though many thought that this case would not transpire and result favorably for my client, I advocated for what I knew to be right, and I will bring that same passion and enthusiasm to my work on the bench.

Prior to becoming a lawyer, as stated above, I own and operated two successful businesses. I worked in the real estate industry for over 15 years in various roles including a mortgage loan processor, mortgage broker, realtor, mortgage underwriter, and loan officer. My extensive knowledge in the real estate industry has helped me to transition easily into starting and building a real estate law practice.

My husband and I have been married for 30 years, and together we have raised a wonderful daughter, who is a United States Navy veteran. Besides spending quality time with my family, I enjoy hiking, cycling, and hot yoga. I have volunteered with the Housing Justice Project, a local non-profit homeless prevention organization, and currently volunteer with the Snohomish County Legal Clinic in their Family Law Clinic, previously in their Landlord-Tenant Clinic, and as a board member with YMCA/Snohomish County Big Brothers, Big Sisters -Youth Leadership. At all three organizations, I am able to provide pro bono information, advice, and legal representation to ensure individuals have meaningful access to justice regardless of any financial barriers they may have. I've presented on multiple topics on continuing legal education subjects to other attorneys. 

Mary has been recognized by the following organizations for outstanding performance in the legal profession:

• ABOTA (American Board of Trial Advocates - Seattle Chapter)
• American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys
• American's Best Advocates
• America's Best Top Female Attorney
• Attorney and Practice Magazine's 10 Best Female Personal Injury Attorneys - Washington
• Best of the Best Top 10 Personal Injury Attorney
• Elite Lawyer
• Martindale-Hubbell's 10th Anniversary - Proudly Serving the Community Since 2011
• Martindale-Hubbell's 5th Anniversary - Proudly Serving the Community Since 2011
• National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys, Inc.
• National Association of Distinguished Counsel at the Nation's Top One Percent
• National Black Trial Lawyers Top 100
• National Trial Lawyers Top 100
• Premier Lawyers of America
• Seattle Met Magazine's Top Women Attorneys In Washington
• Seattle Met Magazine's Top Rising Young Attorneys In Washington
• Super Lawyers
• TopRatedLocals

Mary's Judicial Ratings: 

- Exceptionally Well Qualified, Loren Miller Bar Association

- Well Qualified, Joint Asian Judicial Evaluation Committee

• Asian Bar Association of Washington
• Filipino Lawyers of Washington
• Korean American Bar Association of Washington
• South Asian Bar Alliance of Washington
• Vietnamese-American Bar Association of Washington
• Middle Eastern Legal Association of Washington

- Well Qualified, Q-Law: The LGBT Bar Association of Washington