About
Meet Mary Lou, a Sr. Paralegal, a Certified Life, Relationship, and Stress Management Coach.
Mary Lou has been a dedicated paralegal for over 30 years, bringing her deep knowledge and passion for the legal field to every role she has held. With a B.A. in Criminal Justice, an M.S. in Psychology, and a paralegal certificate from the National Institution for Paralegal Studies (now DeVry), Mary Lou combines academic excellence with real-world experience.
Throughout her career, she has worked in family law, probate, estate planning, and civil litigation, and since 2020 she has been self-employed as a Senior Paralegal. Mary Lou is also fluent in Spanish, both written and spoken, which allows her to serve a wider community.
Beyond her own practice, Mary Louâs true passion is helping other legal professionals grow in their careers. She has mentored and trained countless paralegals and legal staff, teaching the skills that arenât always covered in school but are essential in the day-to-day practice of law. As an active member of Mt. Diablo Legal Professionals Association since 1988, she has served in leadership roles including President and Parliamentarian. At the state level with Legal Professionals, Inc., she has served as Continuing Education Coordinator and has taught numerous legal classes.
Through her courses and training programs, Mary Lou empowers legal professionals to gain confidence, expand their skills, and thrive in their legal careers.
Mary Louâs Education:
- M.S. in Psychology
- B.S. in Criminal Justice
- Certified Thriving Relationship Coach (Center for Thriving Relationships)
- Certified Life Coach (IAP Career College)
- Certified Stress Management Coach (IAOCWC.org - Accredited Training Provider)
- CCLS (California Certified Legal Secretary)
- Court-approved Visitation Monitor (Lake and Mendocino Counties)
- Court-approved Parenting Apart Instructor (Lake and Mendocino Counties)
Mary Lou is not an attorney, and the information in her courses and presentations is for educational purposes only and not intended as legal advice.
"Mary Lou is a patient and kind mentor. When you work in a busy law firm, an attorney may not always be available to answer your questions or help guide you in developing your skills. This is why the mentorship of a senior legal professional is so invaluable. I started my career as a legal secretary with zero experience in the law. With Mary Louâs expertise, I was able to transition into a paralegal role at my firm with the confidence that I could correctly complete the tasks assigned to me and secure in the knowledge that I could turn to her for guidance if I came across something new. To this day, even as an attorney, I know I can turn to her If I come across a particularly perplexing legal problem. If she doesnât know the answer, she can point you to other resources that can â including other legal professionals.
If you are a legal support professional, investing in LST is an investment in your future. If you are a legal employer, having the guidance and support of people like Mary Lou available to your support staff will improve efficiency and productivity in your operations and provide you with the peace of mind that someone is there to answer their questions when you cannot."Â
- A.H. Associate
Attorney
Oakland, CA Law Group
"I found the Legal Calendaring training to be incredibly valuable. The way it was taught - complete with practical âhomework assignments - made the information easy to apply right away in my daily work. What stood out most was the continued support, even after the class ended; updated materials and guidance long afterward showed a real investment in my success. When I reached out recently with a question, she was quick to help, which reinforced how much she cares about the people she trains. I would highly recommend this program to anyone in the legal field who wants to build confidence and accuracy in calendaring and enjoy the benefit of ongoing mentorship."
-Â T.B.G.
Paralegal
Walnut Creek, CA Law Firm
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