Mary left a career in journalism to study law, and established her own firm as a solicitor. At the Bar she has worked mainly in family law, including as counsel for the Independent Children’s Lawyer.   She also appears regularly in the Guardianship Division of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal and before the Mental Health Review Tribunal.

A nationally accredited mediator, Mary has trained with the Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators (AIFLAM) and the Resolution Institute. She maintains membership of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia and is an Associate Member of the New Zealand Law Society.