Mary Pilkington–Casey
Professor of Law
Director Administrative Advocacy Clinic
- BA, Central Connecticut State University
- MSW, Boston College
- JD, Franklin Pierce Law Center
- mpcasey@piercelaw.edu
- (603) 225-3350
- Courses: Administrative Law & Advocacy Clinic, Children & the Law, Family Law
- Committees: (chair) Harassment Prevention
- Scholarship
Professor Pilkington–Casey received the 2005 Marilla Ricker Achievement Award. The award is presented each year by the New Hampshire Women's Bar Association to an outstanding woman lawyer who has achieved professional excellence and paved the way to success for other women lawyers. Professor Pilkington–Casey’s public service work was a significant factor in her receipt of the award. Professor Pilkington–Casey was also praised for her positive influence with law students who work with her in the Pierce Law's Administrative Law and Advocacy Clinic.
In October 1997 Professor Pilkington–Casey received the Dr. Roger M. Fossum Award from the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect for her work with Professor Bruce Friedman and Attorney Ron Lospennato of the Disabilities Rights Center on the Eric L. class action law suit. The lawsuit filed in Federal Court concerned the treatment of abused and neglected children in the State of New Hampshire. It also addressed issues regarding children in foster care and the lack of adoptions for children languishing in foster care.
Prior to attending law school, Professor Pilkington–Casey was employed by the New Hampshire Division of Human Services where she worked as a social worker specializing in investigating child abuse and neglect cases, as social service planner and consultant and as chief of the Bureau of Adult Services. While in the Adult Services Bureau, Professor Pilkington–Casey testified before the legislature and wrote the first Adult Services Elderly Abuse and Neglect Policy and Procedures for the State of New Hampshire. After law school, Professor Pilkington–Casey clerked for the New Hampshire Superior Court.
Professor Pilkington–Casey worked with other professionals and advocates in developing the New Hampshire Alliance for Children and Youth. She also has served on a number advisory boards of community agencies, including the Merrimack County Visitation Center, Second Start, Bishop Brady High School and the Salvation Army. She has co–authored state legislation concerning child abuse and neglect and has testified before legislative committees concerning child and elderly issues.
“Administrative law affects almost every part of our lives. We tend to think in terms of civil laws that allow suits to be brought in court, as well as criminal statutes that result in court cases that have an effect on our liberty. Yet many areas of our lives are affected by administrative rules and procedures such as taxes, licenses, social services, employment benefits, regulatory commissions and education, which are established by agencies created by federal and state laws. Administrative law includes the legislative process that involves testifying for/against pending legislation; recommending and responding to proposed agency policies and procedures; and, the agency appeal process.
"The Administrative Law and Advocacy Clinic provides students with the opportunity to represent individuals in administrative hearings in State agencies. Skills necessary for courtroom representation are also utilized during agency hearings. Students develop a better understanding of the legal issues involved in agency decision–making, and of the rights of individuals to due process and a fair hearing. Students learn written and oral advocacy on behalf of clients, law office practice, and how be professional with opposing counsel.
“Student Attorneys have had the opportunity to study a variety of laws and procedures governing cases that involve unemployment compensation appeals, Health and Human Services denial of services appeals and license revocation. Student Attorneys develop the theory of the case through application of the laws, facts, agency statutes, policies and procedures.”
Professor Pilkington–Casey teaches Administrative Law and Advocacy Clinic, Family Law and Children and the Law.
