Mary H. Schmidt

        Counsel
        Contact Info
        Mary H. Schmidt Mary H. Schmidt

        Mary has a wealth of experience in trusts and estates, domestic relations and probate litigation at the trial and appellate levels. Her sophisticated practice focuses on guiding clients through complex gift, estate and income tax planning, trust and estate planning, prenuptial and post nuptial agreement preparation, negotiation and litigation, and estate administration.

        Mary serves as an expert witness in the Massachusetts probate and superior courts. She has also been frequently appointed by the Probate & Family Court to serve as a fiduciary and guardian ad litem in various probate and family law matters. Mary served on the committee that drafted the new Massachusetts Uniform Trust Code. Prior to joining Verrill, Mary was a founding partner of Schmidt & Federico, P.C

        Mary has lectured extensively on domestic relations, tax and trust and estate subjects, including issues related to same sex couples. She has authored chapters for a number of Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education publications, including: “Massachusetts Probate Manual,” “Massachusetts Divorce Law and Practice,” “A Practical Guide to Estate Planning in Massachusetts,” and “Drafting Wills and Trusts in Massachusetts.” In addition, she is a co-editor of the 2012-2022 Massachusetts Probate Law Sourcebooks.

        Services/Industries

        Education

        • Cornell University (B.A.)
        • University of Chicago School of Law (J.D.)
        • Boston University School of Law (LL.M.)

        Public Service

        • Director, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. (2011-present)
        • Named to the Massachusetts Clients’ Security Board of the Supreme Judicial Court (Former Chairperson) (1997–2003)
        • Member, Board of Directors, Boston Center for Adult Education (1996-2001)
        • Trustee, Social Law Library (1990-1996)
        • Director, Boston YWCA (1986-1996)

        Bar Admissions

        • Massachusetts

        Court and Other Admissions

        • United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
        • United States Supreme Court

        Memberships

        • Member of the Boston, Massachusetts Bar Associations
        • Member of the Dukes County and American Bar Associations
        • Member (Former President), Mass. Family & Probate Inns of Court
        • Member (Former President), Boston Estate Planning Council
        • Fellow, Massachusetts Bar Foundation
        • Fellow, American Bar Foundation
        • Fellow, American College of Trust & Estate Counsel
        • Member and Former Moderator of the Boston Probate Forum

        Honors

        • Recognized in Chambers High Net Worth under Family/Matrimonial: High Net Worth
        • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® under Elder Law, Family Law, Trust and Estates, and Litigation-Trusts and Estates in Boston, Massachusetts (2010-2027)
        • Listed to Boston Magazine’s Super Lawyers and one of the top 50 women lawyers in New England 
        • Named The Best Lawyers in America® Trust and Estate Litigation “Lawyer of the Year” (2013)
        • Woodward & White, in the specialty of trusts and estates lifetime member
        • Madison’s Who’s Who, Life Time Member
        • Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent® Rating
        • National Association of Estate Planners & Councils, Accredited Estate Planner
        • Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education Scholar-Mentor Award (2010)
        • Estate Planner of the Year, Boston Estate Planning Council (1995)
        • Selected by peers for inclusion Massachusetts Super Lawyers, under Estate and Probate

        Learn more about the third-party ratings, rankings, and selection processes used for inclusion.

        Published Work

        • Co-author, “Trends and Developments,” Child Relocation 2026 (USA-Massachusetts), Chambers and Partners
        Events
        When: January 26, 2026 at 4:00 - 6:00pm ET
        Location: Webcast
        When: May 13-14, 2025
        Location: Webcast

        Firm Highlights

        Blog

        Working 9 to 5? It’s a Way to Make a Livin’, so Make Sure You’re Payin’ for Every Minute: A Maine Employer’s Guide to Stacked Wage & Hour Rules

        Four decades after Dolly Parton gave us both the namesake anthem of the American workday and the film about three fed-up office workers’ dreams of...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        Can AI Pass the Doctor Test? FDA Considers Physician-Inspired Evaluation of GenAI Devices and Other Regulatory Measures

        AI is entering healthcare with indomitable will. It promises to increase efficiency, reduce administrative burden (which healthcare providers so...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Attorney Annabel Rodriguez Named Top Women of Law by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

        BOSTON, Massachusetts – Verrill attorney Annabel Rodriguez has been recognized as a Top Women of Law by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, and will be...
        Blog

        What Employee Benefits Lawyers Do (and How to Make the Best Use of Us)

        What do employee benefits lawyers do all day and how can clients make the best use of them? This post offers an overview of the kinds of things...
        Media Mentions

        Bloomberg Law Quotes Robert Keach on Expanded Access to Small Business Reorganization

        Verrill attorney Bob Keach was recently featured in Bloomberg Law, discussing legislation that would raise debt limits for bankruptcy relief and...
        Blog

        Phil Bartlett to Step Down as Chair of the Maine Public Utilities Commission

        On September 15, 2026, Governor Janet Mills announced that Phil Bartlett will step down as Chair of the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC)...
        Published Works

        Jay McCormack and Michael Fee Co-Author AHLA Article on Skin Substitute Enforcement Trends

        Verrill Partners Jay McCormack and Michael Fee co-authored an article for the American Health Law Association's Fraud and Abuse Practice Group...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Welcomes Health Care & Life Sciences Attorney Elpida Velmahos

        BOSTON, Massachusetts – Verrill is pleased to announce that Elpida Velmahos has joined the firm’s Health Care & Life Sciences Group as an...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Welcomes Litigation & Trial Attorney Emma Pooler

        PORTLAND, Maine – Verrill is pleased to announce that Emma Pooler has joined the firm’s Litigation & Trial Group as an Associate, resident in...
        Published Works

        Four Verrill Attorneys Co-Author Massachusetts Trends and Developments Chapter for Chambers and Partners Child Relocation 2026 Guide

        Verrill attorneys Mary H. Schmidt, Rachel A. Deering, Hannah R. Zukoff, and Mariah G. Tappan co-authored the “Trends and Developments” chapter...
        Blog

        A New Protected Class in Maine: Holders of Final Protection Orders

        In the lead-up to Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, employers may be taking a closer look at how their policies and practices respond to...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        Verrill Secures SJC Victory for Boston Legacy FC in White Stadium Litigation

        Verrill has secured a significant appellate victory for Boston Legacy FC in the litigation challenging the redevelopment of White Stadium in...