Mary Ellen Flynn

My practice of law is primarily in the areas of domestic relations, criminal, traffic, juvenile defense, personal injury, collections and other civil litigation including jury trials. My largest referral source is my clients, past and present. I have a reputation for being aggressive, effective, and thorough, without ever forgetting that I am serving my clients’ needs and goals first and foremost.

I believe that my job is not only to be an excellent advocate for my clients, but also to educate and inform them so that they are empowered to make important decisions in their cases and in their personal and professional lives. Whether I am representing a client in highly-contested litigation or resolving outstanding matters through collaborative law, mediation or settlement negotiations, my primary goals are to provide my client with a clear understanding of how the law applies to his/her particular situation, to keep my client advised of the current status and next steps in the case process, and to obtain the best results for my client.

Judges and domestic relations masters have shown confidence in my abilities by appointing me as a legal representative for children and elderly persons who are in need of legal protection for themselves and/or their property in domestic, guardianship and trusteeship situations.

The business community has sought my assistance in areas such as business contract enforcement, debt collection, and property damage claims, and I am a member of the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce. From 1988-1998, in addition to my practice of law, I served as Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Takoma Park, Maryland. Throughout my career, former clients have returned and/or referred friends and business associates to me when legal questions or concerns arise for them, and I have been honored by many awards.

The Maryland State Bar Association’s Solo & Small Firm Practice Section and the Howard County Bar Association presented me with the 2009 David Hjortsberg Award, which is given in appreciation of a solo/small firm’s practitioner who raises the consciousness of all attorneys and non-attorneys through her/his professionalism, civility, intelligence, respect and commitment to community.

The Daily Record recognized me in 2008 as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women, an award for outstanding achievement of women as demonstrated through professional accomplishment, community leadership and mentoring, and also as one of 24 Marylanders to receive a Leadership in Law Award, for significant and consistent contribution to the legal profession and the community. Additionally, Baltimore Magazine and Maryland Super Lawyers Magazine have named me a ‘Super Lawyer’ for eight consecutive years, spanning 2008 – 2015. In the fall of 2010, I was honored as one of “DC’s Finest” for Collaborative Family Law and Mediation in the Washington City Paper.

I am honored to and enjoy giving back to my profession in a variety of ways. Recently I served as President of the Montgomery County, Maryland Bar Foundation, Inc. and immediately prior to that position, I served as President of the Bar Association of Montgomery County, Maryland (and was only the 5th female to do so in the Association’s 113 year history at that time). In addition, for the Montgomery County Bar Association I presently serve on the District Court Bar-Bench Committee, the Strategic Planning Committee, the Personnel Transition Committee, and I am the Chair of their Courthouse Construction Committee. For the Maryland State Bar Association I serve on both the Board of Governors and the Local and Specialty Bar Committee. Recently, I was appointed to be a Trustee for the Bar Associations Insurance Trust.

I have held many other elected and appointed positions including Treasurer of both Montgomery County’s Bar Association and its Bar Foundation; Treasurer, President, and Board of Directors Member of the Women’s Bar Association of Montgomery County; Chair of the Solo and Small Firm Practitioners Section for the Maryland State Bar Association; and Treasurer and Finance Co-Chair for the Campaign to Elect Sitting Judges of Montgomery County.

I have taught many continuing legal education seminars for the American Bar Association, Maryland State Bar Association, Montgomery County Bar Association, Women’s Bar Association, Inns of Court of Prince George’s County, and conferences, including a state-wide conference of county government attorneys. My speaking engagements also include Montgomery County Cable TV, radio programs, and guest lecturing at neighborhood and civic organizations. My publications are included in national, state and county journals and in local newspapers.

Born and raised in Queens, New York, I graduated from State University of New York in Binghamton with honors in 1985 and then received my law degree from Washington College of Law (WCL) at American University, cum laude, in 1988, and I now serve on the WCL Dean’s Advisory Council. During my law school years, I contributed to the publication Journal of International Law, clerked in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia for Magistrate Arthur Burnett, served as a Rule 13 prosecutor for the State’s Attorney’s Office for Anne Arundel County, and clerked as a Dean’s Fellow for Professor Candace Kovacic, assisting her on several law review journals. I began practicing law in Maryland in 1988 and in the District of Columbia in 1989. I very much enjoy being a successful litigator, advocate and counselor for all of my clients, and I consider it a privilege to serve the community through my practice of this worthwhile and honorable vocation.