Mary is a Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator and a Certified Court-Appointed Arbitrator. She is an attorney and partner with the law firm of Porges, Hamlin, Knowles & Hawk, P.A. in Bradenton, Florida. She has been in practice since 1998 in the Sarasota/Bradenton area, and is the head of the Firm's Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department. Mary concentrates her mediation and litigation practice in the areas of commercial litigation, contract disputes, condominium and homeowner association law, probate litigation, landlord/tenant law, and mobile home law. Mary has a Bachelor's degree from Florida State University (Fine Arts, cum laude), from Georgia State University (Journalism, with honors), and her law degree from Georgia State University College of Law (magna cum laude).

Mary was the recipient of several academic awards in law school, and was a member of the Georgia State University Law Review, where two of her articles were published. She has volunteered since 1998 as a judge for the Stetson College of Law annual International Environmental Moot Court Competition. She also has served as a Coach for the St. Stephen's College Preparatory School's Mock Trial Team in statewide competition. She has spoken on the topics of community association law and landlord-tenant law to civic and professional organizations in Manatee and Sarasota Counties.

Mary is a member of the Florida Association of Women Lawyers, Manatee Chapter and the Manatee and Sarasota Bar Associations. Mary currently serves as the president of the Friends of De Soto National Memorial, Inc. She is licensed to practice in Florida, Georgia, the Middle District of Florida (federal), and the federal 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. She is committed to helping parties in dispute resolve their issues and move on with their lives, careers and future plans.

Mary would like to acknowledge all that she has learned from her mother, Zelda Hawk, a mediator and attorney of more than 30 years in Gainesville, Florida.

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