Prince of Peace Catholic Church, Ormond Beach

Wendy A. Mara earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from 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 Volusia County public high schools for three years and Father Lopez Catholic High School for 10 years. 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 Volusia County and Flagler County areas. Since then, Ms. Mara has continued her education, and, in 2022, she earned her Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) from the American College of Financial Services.

Ms. Mara’s law practice is focused on protecting individuals, their families, and their assets in the areas of probate, family law, estate planning, guardianship, and Medicaid Longterm Care planning. 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 most recently served as Chair of the Elder Law Section of the Volusia County Bar Association for the past three years. Ms. Mara is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell in recognition of her ethics, legal knowledge, and ability, and she has been designated a Rising Star in Family Law and Probate by SuperLawyers 2016-2019.

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 (“OBCC”) Board of Directors, winner of the 2013 OBCC Leadership Award, and former Chairperson of the PACE Center for Girls, Volusia-Flagler. Ms. Mara was an active member of the Junior League of Daytona Beach where she served as co-chair of  the State Public Action Committee, advocating on behalf of women and children throughout the state. As a volunteer for Community Legal Services of
Mid-Florida and Council on Aging, Ms. Mara donates her time to provide pro bono legal assistance to low-income individuals in the area of guardianships. In addition, Ms. Mara is often appointed by the Court as a pro bono Guardian ad Litem in family law cases.

Ms. Mara serves as Chair of the Parish Council at Prince of Peace in Ormond Beach, and she is the Chair for the Eastern and Southern Deaneries of the Planned Giving Advisory Council to The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida. Among other organizations, Ms. Mara is a member of the Estate Planning Council of the Fun Coast, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (“NAELA”) as well as the Florida Chapter of NAELA. Ms. Mara also enjoys her role as a Den Leader in Cub Scouts Pack 3074 and as Merit Badge Counselor for the Citrus Council of Boy Scouts. Living in Ormond  Beach with Robert and sons Robbie and Liam, Ms. Mara has six children and three grandchildren.