Who We Are
About the Practice
- Business Law – Recommendations for business entity formation, draft and negotiate contracts including leases, buy-sell agreements, employment agreements and other legal documents, and prepare documentation required to form, qualify and maintain corporations and other legal entities including partnerships and limited liability entities.
- Non-Profit Corporations – Provide legal advice for non-profit corporations including filing for tax-exempt status.
- Estate Planning – Legal advice and preparation of wills, life insurance trusts, family limited partnerships, credit shelter trusts, living wills and powers of attorney.
- Probate – Provide assistance in probating estates, both testate and intestate and taxable and non-taxable; prepare Petitions for Year’s Support.
- Prenuptial Agreements - Advice, counsel and preparation of prenuptial, postnuptial and cohabitation agreements.
Mary B. Galardi
Mary B. Galardi focuses her practice in the areas of estate planning, probate and business law including contracts, entity formation and non-profit corporations. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego School of Law and her undergraduate degree from Texas Tech University, graduating cum laude. Mary opened her office, Mary B. Galardi, P.C., in 1998, located in Norcross, Georgia. Due to continued growth, in January of 2009 Mary transferred the office to Atlanta (Brookhaven area). Her clients include individuals and small to medium-sized companies.
Mary has an "AV" rating by MARTINDALE Hubbell, the highest peer review rating by other attorneys. She was chosen as a Georgia Super Lawyer by Atlanta Magazine in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 in the area of Estate Planning and Probate. Additionally, in 2007, 2009, and 2010 she was named as one of the top 50 Women Lawyers in the State of Georgia. She has lectured on estate planning and creating small businesses. She has taught continuing professional education classes to lawyers, CPAs and insurance professionals including at the annual Fiduciary Law Institute at St. Simons to the members of the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the State Bar of Georgia.
Mary formerly served as Vice-President of Fundraising for the National Conference of Women Bar Association’s and was the Chair of the Summit Committee held in Atlanta in 2004. She is active in the Atlanta Bar Association where she currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Estate Planning Section and is Chair-Elect for 2010-2011. She has served as Chair of the Elder Law Section and is a past Board member of the Sole Practitioner/Small Firm Section. She is a member of the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers and has served as a Representative at Large and Atlanta Chapter President. Mary is active in various civic organizations including currently serving as Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Club of Gwinnett County and was awarded the 2006 Woman of the Year Award of the Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors.
Education
- University of San Diego, San Diego, California, J.D. 1993
- Oxford University, Oxford, England, Institute on International and Comparative Law, Summer 1992
- Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, B.S. 1980, cum laude
Professional Leadership
- Chosen as one of the top 50 Women Lawyers in the State of Georgia in 2007, 2009, and 2010 by Atlanta Magazine
- Chosen as a 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 Georgia Super Lawyer in the area of Estate Planning by Atlanta Magazine
- Admitted to the United States Supreme Court, March 2006
- State Bar of Georgia
Member – Fiduciary Section
- State Bar of Texas
- American Bar Association
Member – Real Property and Estate Planning Section
- Atlanta Bar Association
Chair – Elder Law Committee, 1999-2000
Member – Estate Planning and Probate Section, 1998-Present
Board of Directors, 2005-PresentSecretary, 2008-2009
Treasurer, 2009-2010
Chair-Elect, 2010-2011
Member – Sole Practitioner/Small Firm Section, 1997-Present
Board of Directors, 1999-2000 - Gwinnett County Bar Association
- National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations
Vice President, 2004-05
Board of Directors, 2002-2006
Chair – Women’s Bar Leadership Summit 2004 – “The Secrets of Our Success” - Georgia Association for Women Lawyers, 1994-Present
Co-Chair – Healthy, Wealthy & Wise Estate Planning & Financial Wellness Symposium, May, 2003
Representative-At-Large – State Executive Board, 2002-2005
President – Atlanta Chapter, 2001-2002
Programs Co-chair – Atlanta Chapter, 1998-2000 - Pro Bono Volunteer – Georgia Lawyers for the Arts, 2000-Present
- The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, Board of Advisors, 2008-Present
- Atlanta Estate Planning Council, 2005-Present
Civic and Community Leadership
- Christ the King Lutheran Church, Norcross
President—Congregational Council 2004
- Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta, Gwinnett County
Board of Directors, 2001-Present
Secretary, 2005-2006
Public Relations Chair, 2002-2004
Lectures
- "Probate: Perils, Props and Tips I Wish I'd Known" presented for the 53rd Annual Estate Planning Institute of the State Bar of Georgia; Athens; February 2008.
- "Secrets of my Success" Panel Discussion presented to Women in Insurance & Financial Services, Atlanta Chapter; November 2007.
- Guest Lecturer, John Marshall School of Law, October 2007.
- "Estate Planning Topics" presented to employees of the CDC, October 2007.
- “Estate Planning for the Executive” present to Kettering Career Network; August 2006.
- “Marketing to Professionals” presented to Women in Insurance & Financial Services, Atlanta Chapter; February 2006.
- “Practical Ethics: Avoiding Client and Beneficiary Conflicts—Panel Discussion” presented for the Fiduciary Law Institute of the State Bar of Georgia; St. Simon’s Island; July 2004.
- “The Basics of Drafting Wills and Trusts in Georgia” presented for Lorman Education Services, Atlanta, Georgia; January 2003.
- “Choosing a Business Entity” presented to Georgia Women Entrepreneurs Conference, Columbus, Georgia; April 2002.
- “Investing and Giving in a Recession” presented to Financial Advisors Seminar, Gwinnett Community Foundation; October 2001.
Publications
- “Essential Estate Planning Documents” Women in Insurance & Financial Services National Quarterly Publication, Summer 2001.
- “Basic Estate Planning Needs” American Business Women’s Association Newsletter, March 1999.
Betsy N. Giesler
Betsy N. Giesler has provided paralegal, administrative, and marketing support for Mary B. Galardi, P.C. since 1999. Prior to working as a paralegal and administrative assistant, she was involved in meeting and convention sales. Betsy’s diversified administrative and sales background span more than 25 years. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of Georgia.
Sonni Pratt joined Galardi Law in 2010 as a legal and administrative assistant. Sonni derives from a legal background. Prior to working as an administrative assistant she worked for several Atlanta based law firms. Her strong organizational and client service skills are an asset to the firm.
