Dear PAABA community,

I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Mary Procaccio-Flowers and I am honored to serve as the next president of the Palo Alto Area Bar Association.

Over the past few months, I have had the opportunity to connect with many of the board members of PAABA, both past and present. I have been impressed by their passion and commitment to this wonderful and unique organization. You all care very deeply about PAABA and are willing to work tirelessly to further PAABA’s purpose. I am excited to work with this community to come together and create the next chapter of quality PAABA programming and fellowship.

For example, in the upcoming year, I am eager to work with you all to host events, including networking and social events, professional development round table discussions, and MCLE activities. I plan to support the practice area sections and committees in their critical work for PAABA. Finally, I intend to help with the already in-progress efforts to expand and update the Fee Arbitration program.

Below is a bit more about me, but I hope we will get to know each other better at some forthcoming PAABA events!

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Currently, I am full-time faculty at Santa Clara University’s School of Law. I teach a variety of courses, including IP Litigation, Evidence, and Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing. I also serve as the faculty advisor to the law school’s Honors Moot Court External program. As a graduate of Santa Clara Law, I was thrilled to return to the school as faculty.

Prior to beginning my legal teaching career, I worked in private practice at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, representing technology companies in intellectual property litigation. I also regularly advised companies regarding the impact of intellectual property and intellectual property litigation on a variety of corporate transactions. In addition, I co-chaired the firm’s Associates Committee and served on the Hiring/Recruiting and Education Committees. While at the firm, I represented several pro bono clients, including individuals seeking asylum and conservation organizations in environmental litigation.

I also served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Susan Illston at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

Before attending law school, I taught elementary and junior high school.

I live in San Jose with my spouse, two daughters, and mischievous but lovable cat, Loki.