Mary Sharp

Mary Sharp is a natural leader, born with an innate sense of compassion and understanding of equality. The marriage of her concern for others and the basic principles of humanity instilled in her a passion for law. As she continues to represent clients in private practice and serve as a public figure, she yields daily to the words of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, “I tell law students, if you’re going to be a lawyer and just practice your profession, you have a skill…. But if you want to be a true professional, you will do something outside yourself, something that makes life…better for people less fortunate…”
And Mary has done just that. She has forged a career of faithful service and given back to her community. She is an admired legal professional, spearheading an era of change to be more inclusive.
And most endearing is her ability to listen, comprehend and respond with grace and ease. Two of Mary’s friends, Nancy Sadler, and Fleetwood Bradshaw, agree. Some of the words they used to describe Mary are loyal, sincere, encouraging, and trustworthy. Nancy adds, “But most importantly, she has great charisma. She is good at motivating people to do their best, whether in a fun adventure or an important civic project. And she’s mentored so many younger lawyers helping them to become better in their professions.”
Mary moved to Aiken when she was less than a year old. Her father earned a PhD at NC State, and he worked at the Savannah River site as a nuclear engineer. Mary graduated from the public school system in Aiken in 1985. She was active in student council where she served as student body president, among other leadership roles.
Both Mary and her sister attended NC State. Mary graduated with a B.A. in Business Administration in 1990 and then attended Wake Forest University School of Law, where she met lifelong friends and colleagues. Her parents built a house on Lady’s Island, and Mary moved to Beaufort after she graduated from law school.
As Mary evaluated options regarding her career, she spent her time constructively in Beaufort searching for opportunities to offer her expertise. One day, she drove to St. Helena to visit Penn Center and saw a help wanted sign in the legal services department. She called the office and talked to the Executive Attorney, Martha Dicus. Mary laughs, “Martha told me to come tomorrow. She offered to either meet for Chinese at lunch or ballet practice in the afternoon.” So, they met for lunch, and Mary immediately became a volunteer for the Penn School for Preservation. She offered neighborhood legal assistance to the St. Helena community who was only previously getting help at the state level. There was no local office until Mary arrived.
Martha introduced Mary to many if not all the attorneys and judges in town. She soon met Nancy and Mitch Griffith, and in 1994, Mary joined their firm. Mary became a partner in 2000, and for twenty-three years, she predominately worked in insurance defense, construction litigation and premises liability. Not only did she regularly win cases, but her peers also revered the distinguished attorney for her demeanor and integrity in and out of the courtroom.
Because of these criteria and more, Mary was recognized as a 2015 South Carolina Super Lawyer. As a friend, Mary is known for her encouragement. Fleetwood produces a defining word when describing Mary’s purpose in her life… “Necessary.” She smiles and adds, “I think of her as my constant during the good times and the bad. She has this steadfast calming effect and offers humor in life’s wonderful chaos. She makes me laugh a little harder and cry a little softer.”
Mary’s public service in Beaufort has been extensive. She served as president of the Board of Lowcountry Legal Volunteers and as president of the Board of Friends of Caroline Hospice. She has also sat on the boards of Historic Beaufort Foundation, Broad River Healthcare, and the Child Abuse Prevention Association. And perhaps her most demanding position in public service is that of municipal court judge. The City of Beaufort appointed Mary over twenty years ago, and she continues to preside over bond hearings held twice per day, every day of the year.
In 2017, Mary started her own firm, Mary Sharpe Law. She was ready for a change and excited to be able to choose her own clients and cases. She now has more flexibility practicing civil and commercial litigation, personal injury, insurance coverage litigation, commercial transportation and trucking, community association and HOA law, construction litigation, premises liability and appellate advocacy.
While discussing her new chapter, Mary explains, “I’ve enjoyed the last five years. I am able to do what I want to do when I want to do it. The downside is not having colleagues around at the office.”
Mary has been involved with the SC Bar since 2001, sitting on various committees, representing the 14th Circuit in the House of Delegates, and serving the Board of Governors. She is currently president of the SC Bar and proudly collaborating with other members to develop a strategic plan to diversify leadership roles within the Bar to more accurately reflect the population of SC. In addition to the SC Bar, Mary is currently president of the Charleston, SC Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, (ABOTA) and serves on the Board of Directors for the SC Bar Foundation. She is also currently on the Advisory Board of Penn Center.
Mary has also served the legal community on the national level. She played a key role in organizing events around the country dedicated to promoting greater diversity in the field of law. Mary is past president of the National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations and a past President of the Board of the South Carolina Women Lawyers Association. Fleetwood was right. Mary Sharp is necessary. She is necessary in our community, in our state, and in our country. And she is especially necessary to all those who know her personally. Mary and Ned Tupper married in 2012. They live on St. Helena Island, where Mary enjoys cooking and playing with her four dogs, Lucy, Daisy, Lucky and Hillary.