WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Women Presidents' Organization profile of Mary J. Drury, Esq.

As chairperson of the transactional department at Marquis & Aurbach, Mary Drury managed and oversaw $1 billion in closings for the firm's many clients in 2005. Drury joined the firm in 2001 as the first of her department and since that time, has grown the department to nearly 15 attorneys and staff, which is now the largest or one of the largest transactional departments in the state of Nevada.

Drury's work focuses on transactions, with an emphasis in real estate. She oversees entity formation, land and business acquisition, construction, loans (construction and permanent) and the ultimate sale of land or improved properties and businesses. She also serves as an outside "general counsel" to the vast majority of the firm's clients who run their businesses as principals, without legal departments.

Drury serves on the State Bar of Nevada's Business Law Section, which, among other things, drafts statutes for consideration and adoption by the legislature of the State of Nevada. She is a frequent lecturer for continuing legal education providers and regularly publishes articles in trade periodicals.

Drury has a B. A. in international relations and print journalism from the University of Southern California, with a minor in business administration. She has a J. D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.