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MWL Member Spotlight: Mary Madden By
Bonnie Westlin I first became acquainted with Mary Madden in a very unconventional, but oh-so-21st-century way: email. There were the regular email announcements she sent out as coordinator of the MWL Solo/Small Practice group, but there were also the countless emails Mary posted on the MSBA’s Solo/Small and Family Law listservs, generously responding to questions from her colleagues with insightful, detailed comments and suggestions. Mary, who credits her own success to the years of mentoring she received from many colleagues over the years, cheerfully assumes the role of mentor to the next generation of attorneys, never hesitating to share her own considerable experience and expertise. There is a unique sense of isolation that can come with having a solo or small law practice, and having access to someone like Mary is invaluable. Over the last few years, I have come to know and respect Mary as both colleague and friend, mentor and mensch. Mary Madden was born in Stillwater, and raised in St. Paul, the oldest of seven children—six girls and one boy—born to middle-class, Irish Catholic parents. Her father, an attorney, worked as a senior personal injury claims adjuster for State Farm Insurance. Though he never practiced law, he maintained his attorney license until he retired. Mary’s mother was a full-time mother and homemaker, and someone whose sacrifices and accomplishments Mary has come to admire even more as time passes. While growing up in the 60’s, Mary and her siblings were never asked “When are you going to get married?” but rather “Where are you going to college?” It was simply expected. In that era, however, there were no UGMA’s or 529 accounts. At 18, when Mary was ready to start college, there were still six children at home in grade school and high school for her parents to support. So Mary financed her education through what she describes as “hard work and the six-year undergrad program.” Mary chose to initially attend the University of Wisconsin, River Falls campus for its “high-quality and frequent parties,” but eventually transferred to the University of Minnesota, where she obtained her Bachelor’s in Sociology—Law, Criminology & Deviance, a far more fascinating and seductive course of study than the generic sociology program. Mary went on to complete the four-year evening program at William Mitchell. While attending law school, she worked full-time during the day, and took 12 credits, four nights each week, and still found time to be on law review. By taking additional summer classes, Mary graduated in 1988, half a year early. Following law school, Mary was introduced to family law practice while clerking for the Honorable Gary Larson in Hennepin County while he was on his Family Court rotation. This unexpectedly launched her into a now 18 year career practicing exclusively in family law. Ten years ago, she began working as an Administrative Law Judge, and is now a Child Support Magistrate serving in the Third Judicial District. Practicing family law and serving as a magistrate has given Mary a unique opportunity to see the world from both sides of the bench. She believes that serving as a magistrate makes her a better lawyer, and actively practicing family law makes her a better magistrate. Ten years ago, Mary made the decision to start her own solo law practice. It was a career altering leap of faith, as anyone in solo practice can attest to, but one that has resulted in professional success and a sense of personal accomplishment. Mary believes she never could have succeeded without the years of mentoring she received after opening her practice. Now, she finds herself presented often with opportunities to mentor others—usually women—and is happy to give back what was so freely and generously given to her. One way she felt she could contribute was to become the coordinator of the MWL solo/small group. The MWL solo/small group was the creation of MWL member Heidi Pliam, of the Pliam Law Group. The group, now several years old, began as a quarterly goal-setting group, designed to help MWL solo and small law practitioners. However, shortly after forming, the group decided to meet monthly to discuss a variety of professional, technical, marketing and management issues unique to the solo and small law practice. It helps overcome that sense of isolation—the solo part of being a solo. Several members have made significant career changes as a result of their participation in the group. Some left firms to go solo; some left the law practice altogether, and others have grown their existing firms, adding staff and increasing office space. Mary counts this group as an instrumental influence in helping her accomplish her own professional—and personal—goals. Her own contributions, however, have been equally invaluable to the other members. Early in her legal career, Mary became heavily involved in community volunteer work, serving on non-profit boards focused primarily on issues of domestic violence, sexual assault, and sexual abuse. Some of these organizations experienced significant periods of intense turmoil during Mary’s tenure, demanding more from her as board member than she could have imagined. Her participation during these times, however, was life-changing. These experiences, no doubt, were opportunities to stretch and grow, and ultimately allowed her to see what she was made of. Mary muses that perhaps it was the practice of family law that kept her single for so many years, but five year ago she married an amazing man whom she describes as not only her husband, but her Latin dance partner and her biggest fan. They spend their “free time” renovating their 1896 St. Paul home, antiquing and “thrifting.” Family remains to this day a central part of life. Mary’s parents, whom she describes as her rocks and her inspiration, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in April. I am deeply grateful that the world of
technology allowed me to cross paths with Mary Madden because she is not only a
phenomenal attorney, but also a truly exceptional human being. If you don’t
know her yet, you should. She’s only an email away! ------------------------------ |
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