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Mary Shea Biography for Publication

Mary Shea is a Candidate for House of Representatives Seat 29A in Pocatello, Idaho. Mary has more than thirty years’ experience as a trial attorney, and she is currently a shareholder at Merrill and Merrill, Chartered. Mary is one of only a handful of Idaho attorneys who has earned the Child Welfare Law Specialist certification, and she is a member of the National Association of Counsel for Children. She practices part time in the Bannock County juvenile court system as a conflict Public Defender. Mary has also worked as the lead Instructor and Program Coordinator for the Paralegal Studies Program at ISU, from 2010-2017. Mary has been a leader in the Pocatello community and in the Idaho State Bar. She is a former Board member and past President of the Portneuf Health Care Foundation (now known as the Portneuf Health Trust), helping to lead that organization through the corporate acquisition of the hospital and the beginning of a major capital campaign.

Mary is currently a Board member and past President of Idaho Legal Aid Services, a statewide organization with offices throughout Idaho, including in Pocatello, providing pro bono civil legal services to indigent populations. Mary helped lead that organization through the recession years of 2008-2013 without closing a single office or significantly reducing services, and she helped launch a major private fundraising campaign that continues today. Mary is a past President and executive committee member of the 6th Judicial District Bar Association, and she is a past Chair and executive committee member of the 6th Judicial District Family Law Section. Mary has published articles in the Advocate (Idaho State Bar publication) and the Idaho Family Law Handbook, and she has presented many seminars to lawyers all over the State, related to her primary practice areas of family law and civil rights. Mary is a three-time CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Attorney of the Year for the 6th Judicial District (2004, 2010, 2017). Mary has won the Idaho State Bar Pro Bono award (2004) and the Service Award for the 6th Judicial District (2019). Before coming to Idaho in 1999, Mary worked in Virginia for two GOP administrations, and they trusted her with their litigation strategy in some of their most challenging, high profile, and high stakes policy lawsuits.

Mary has litigated in every type of court in both Idaho and in Virginia, state and federal, through all levels of appeal. She is ready and eager to use her skills as a communicator and leader in the Idaho Statehouse, to effect positive change for everyone. Mary is a believer in the common good principle of government, and she remains a strong advocate for children and families, and for all the most vulnerable populations of our communities. Mary is a member of Braver Angels, a national organization seeking to depolarize American politics. Mary remains committed to the principle that in a healthy democracy, all stakeholders should have a voice, and better laws are made when lawmakers listen.