Wendy A. Mara
J.D., M.B.A, CAP
ATTORNEY AT LAW
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Practice Areas:
- Probate
- Family Law
- Guardianship
- Estate Planning
- Business Law
- Civil Litigation
Biography
Wendy A. Mara attended Stetson University where she was selected for Phi Beta Kappa, widely considered to be the nation's most prestigious honor society. After graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1993, Ms. Mara taught language arts in both Volusia County public high schools and Father Lopez Catholic High School for 13 years combined. While teaching full time, she earned her MBA from the University of Central Florida in 2006. During her time in graduate school, she was selected for membership in Phi Kappa Phi, another of the nation’s most prestigious honor societies.
Deciding to pursue a legal career, she entered law school at Florida Coastal School of Law where she graduated in the top 10 percent of her class. While in law school, she was a teaching and research assistant, earned the Dean’s Certificate for Pro Bono Work and became an award winning oralist for the Jessup International Moot Court Competition. Following graduation from law school, she was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2009 and entered the private practice of law in the Ormond Beach-Volusia and Flagler County area.
Mrs. Mara’s law practice is focused on Elder Law in the areas of guardianship, estate planning, probate, and Medicaid Long Term Care. During her legal career, she has been recognized by her peers as a leader in the profession. She has served as Treasurer, Vice-President and President of the Volusia-Flagler Association for Women Lawyers. This organization honored Ms. Mara in 2015 with their Women of the Year Award for her work on behalf of women and children. Ms. Mara has also served as the Treasurer, Secretary, Vice-President, and President of the Volusia County Bar Association, and as Chair of the Elder Law Section of the Volusia County Bar Association. Ms. Mara is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell in recognition of her ethics and legal knowledge and ability, and she has been designated a Rising Star in Family Law and Probate by SuperLawyers. In 2024, Ms. Mara was chosen to be a member of Lawyers of Distinction.
Outside of the legal profession, Ms. Mara is an active leader in her community, involved in many activities and organizations. She is a former member of the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, winner of the 2013 Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce Leadership Award and former Chairperson of the PACE Center for Girls, Volusia-Flagler. Ms. Mara is also a volunteer for Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida where she donates her time to provide pro bono legal assistance to low-income individuals. Ms. Mara enjoys working with youth and serves as Treasurer and Merit Badge Counselor for Boy Scout Troop 403. Living in Ormond Beach with her husband Robert and sons Robbie and Liam, she has six children and three grandchildren.
Bar Admission
- Florida, 2009
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida, 2010
Honors
- AV Rating with Martindale Hubbell
- Super Lawyers Rising Star in Probate and Family Law
- Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida - for pro bono services
- Volusia Flager Association for Women Lawyers - Woman of the Year
- Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce Leadership Award
Classes & Seminars
- Introduction to Marketing, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, 2009 to 2009
- Guardianship, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, 2014
- Trusts and Estates, Edward Jones, 2011
- Paternity, Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, 2016
- Guardianship and Special Needs Trusts, Plan Stronger with David Holland, 2017
Past Positions
- Mara & Mara, Attorney, 2010 to 2015
- Snell Legal, Associate, 2009 to 2010
Languages
- English
Professional Associations
- Volusia County Bar Association, Past President 2016-2017, 2010 to Present
- Dunn-Blount American Inn of Court, Member, Present
- Florida Bar Family Law Section and Real Property, Probate and Trust Section, Present
- Volusia Flagler Association for Women Lawyers, Past President, 2010 to Present
- American Bar Association
- Florida Bar
- Volusia County Bar Association
- Volusia Flagler Association for Women Lawyers
- Collaborative Family Law Group of Central Florida
Published Works
- Leading Counsel: Spotlights on the Top Elder Law and Estate Planning Attorneys , Remarkable Press, 2021
Current Employment Position
- Attorney