Mary Parker
After earning her degree from the University of Tennessee School of Law, Mary Parker began her legal career in private practice. Thereafter and for more than 30 years, Parker has been a partner at Parker & Crofford law firm. Her practice has encompassed areas including medical cannabis law, representation of consumers in product liability matters, medical malpractice, car accidents, and civil rights litigation with a particular focus on sexual harassment and Title IX violations.
During her time at the Bar, Parker has received numerous honors and accolades, among them: being featured as one the Nation’s 10 Top Litigators in the United States by the National Law Journal. Parker is an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell. This is the highest rating available and distinguishes Parker as having preeminent legal ability and very high ethical standards, judged by the judiciary and fellow attorneys. She is past president of Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, which she co-founded in 1982 with Ralph Nader and other lawyers across the nation. TLPJ (now Public Justice) is a national public interest law firm headquartered in Washington, D.C. dedicated to using trial lawyers’ skills and resources to create a more just society. Parker also chaired numerous sections and committees of the American Association for Justice, having been a member since law school.
Parker is a lifetime member of the National Cannabis Bar Association (NCBA) and now directs a significant portion of her time, legal talents and energies to the world of medical cannabis law. She was recently elected President of the Tennessee Medical Cannabis Alliance, representing the organization in its efforts to bring legal medical cannabis to patients in Tennessee. Over the past 2 years, Parker has worked with lawmakers, drafting expanding legislation, researching comparative marijuana laws, advising clients in the Medical Marijuana industry, and assisting clients in multiple states with license applications.
During her legal career, Parker served as lead counsel in many highly technical and scientific cases, including a Clean Water Act case which was one of the largest environmental cases in the southeast, and involved her immersion in scientific data, coordinating scientific research, testing and presentation. The case was one of the largest environmental cases in the southeast, setting the standards for corporate compliance with regulations in clean water. Throughout her legal career Parker has taken on significant cutting edge issues involving complex engineering, medical research and scientific analysis. Parker is ideally suited for advising clients on unique legal issues, and the rigorous compliance and auditing requirements, involved in the medical marijuana industry, as well as providing support for the scientific operations.
Practice areas
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Education
- J.D., University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1986
- B.S., cum laude, State University of New York at Buffalo
Bar admissions
- Tennessee
- Pennsylvania
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit
Memberships
- Williamson County Bar Association, 2005-present
- Nashville Bar Association
- Ethics Committee, 1984–Present
- Tennessee Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association
- Board of Governors, 1982–1987, 1999–2002
- The Association of Trial Lawyers of America
- Member, State Committee, 1983–1986
- Young Lawyers Section
- President, 1987–1988
- Vice President, 1986–1987
- Secretary, 1985–1986
- Secretary, Tort Section, 1988–1989
- Chairperson, Motor Vehicle Section, 1989–1990
- Chairperson, Women’s Caucus Section, 1985–1986
- Outstanding State Delegate of 1985–1986
- Lecturer, National Trial Advocacy College and National Conventions, 1983–1986
- Member, Law School Committee, 1982–1985
- Nashville Plaintiff’s Table
- Executive Committee, 1989–1999
- National Hockey League, NHL Panel of Attorneys
- Trial Lawyers for Public Justice
- Co-founder
- President, 1994–1995
- Vice President, 1993–1994
- Treasurer, 1992–1993
- Secretary, 1991–1992
- Board Member, 1982–Present
Honors
Named one of—
- “One of Nation’s 10 Top Litigators” by National Law Journal, 1990
- “Tennessee’s Top 101 Lawyers in 2005” by BusinessTN Magazine
- “Top 150 Lawyers in 2008” by BusinessTN Magazine
- “Top 150 Lawyers in 2007” by BusinessTN Magazine
- Mid-South SuperLawyers, 2003–Present
- “Top 100 Lawyers” by American Trial Lawyers Association, 2009 and 2010
- Marquis Who’s Who in America
- Marquis Who’s Who in American Law
- Marquis Who’s Who in the South and Southwest
- Marquis Who’s Who in Emerging Leaders
- Marquis Who’s Who of American Women
Speaker/instructor
- Numerous state and national Trial Lawyers Association seminars, including appearances in—
- Tennessee
- West Virginia
- California
- Washington, D.C.
- Nevada
- South Carolina
- Florida
- New York
- Colorado
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Mississippi
- Others
- Instructor at Association of Trial Lawyers of America
- National Trial Advocacy College (seven years)
Community activities
- Democratic Leadership Council (DLC)
- Board 1991–1994
- Sister Cities Program, 1998–Present
- Alliance Francais
- Board, 1998–2005
- Holy Family Catholic Church
- Stewardship Committee, 1989–2009
- Monroe Harding Children’s Home
- Board, 2000–2006
- Nashville Women’s Political Caucus, 1985–Present
Languages
- French
- Spanish
Personal information
- One child
- Enjoys snow skiing, SCUBA diving, and following Predators hockey and Titans football
- Former University of Buffalo head cheerleader
Contact Parker & Crofford today
The Nashville attorneys Parker & Crofford have been fighting on behalf of personal injury victims since 1986. They can do the same for you. Contact Parker & Crofford today.