My mission is to help educate my clients so they can make the decisions that are best for them.

Mary E. Shearen’s practice includes estate planning, probates, trusts and wealth transfer for clients at all levels of wealth. She provides customized, client-friendly services for individuals seeking estate planning help or help with estate services, trustees needing help administering trusts and trust beneficiaries regarding trust issues.

Mary is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, served as Chair of the Legislation Committee of the Probate and Trust Section of the Minnesota Bar Association, and has served on the Probate and Trust Section Council and General Assembly of the Minnesota Bar Association. Prior to joining Best & Flanagan, she served as a law clerk for the Honorable Donald P. Lay, Chief Judge of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals for the U. S. Mary is also a registered nurse.

Mary plays an active role in community affairs, having served as Chair of the Planned Giving Committee at the College of St. Catherine (now St. Catherine University) and as Secretary of the St. Catherine Alumnae Board. She taught estate planning at the University of St. Thomas School of Law, served as chair for Friends of St. Paul College Foundation Board, and is on the board of Pathways.

Mary was honored with the St. Catherine University 2015 Alumnae Award. Mary has been named a “Best Lawyer in America” since 2014. She has also been selected to the Minnesota Super Lawyers list (2005–present), was chosen as one of the “Top 50 Women Lawyers in Minnesota” on the 2021 Super Lawyers list, and was recognized as one of the “Top Women in Finance” in 2011, a Five State Financial Service Provider in 2016 and 2018, and as one of the “Top 40 Estate Planning Lawyers in Minnesota” (2007–08).