Mary E. DePaolo is a shareholder at Lee Smart. Her practice emphasizes civil defense litigation, including professional-liability and construction defect claims. Ms. DePaolo graduated from Seattle University in 1995 with a B.A. in History. Ms. DePaolo received her J.D. from Gonzaga University School of Law in 2000 where she was a member of the Moot Court Council, earned first place in the Gillespie Trial Competition, and was awarded Dean's Leadership Honors. Mary handles all aspects of litigation including case analysis and strategy, arbitration, depositions, mediation, motions, trial and appellate work. She has been selected as a “Rising Star” lawyer in Washington by Washington Law & Politics magazine. Ms. DePaolo is admitted to practice in all Washington state courts as well as the United States District Court for the Western and Eastern Districts of Washington . Ms. DePaolo is a member of the Washington State Bar Association.

Representative Cases

• Nelson v. Schnautz (Legal Malpractice) - Division I of the Court of Appeals reversed and remanded in a published decision, a decision by the superior court on summary judgment that the attorney's failure to file a claim against a tortfeasor's estate prevented the fault-free respondent from recovering damages from the other jointly and severally liable tortfeasor for more than the amount of insurance coverage available to the estate.
• Williams v. Askov (Legal Malpractice) - Summary judgment dismissal of plaintiff's WLAD aiding and abetting claim.
• Heather Glen Owners Association v. Heather Glen v. JMA Construction (Construction Defect) - Summary judgment dismissal of construction defect claim.
• Stark Construction, Inc. v. Tile Technology Roofing Co., Inc., Elite Builders, Inc. and Nelson Evergreen Plastering (Construction Defect) - Summary judgment dismissal of plaintiff's indemnity claim.
• Skierka v. Diamond Plaza LLC, Dinnison (Toxic Torts) - Summary judgment dismissal of toxic mold claim.
• Hartford v. ProSet (Product Liability) - Summary judgment dismissal of p laintiffs' WPLA and UCC claims.