Mary Howell graduated from the University of California, San Diego in 1972 with a B.A. in biology. She is a 1976 graduate of the University of San Diego School of Law. In practice in San Diego since December of that year and now a shareholder in the law firm of Epsten Grinnell & Howell, APC., Mary is primarily involved with the representation of homeowner associations. Clients include associations and developments in San Diego, Riverside, and Orange counties. In addition to counseling associations on interpretation and enforcement of governing documents, Mary's case work on behalf of associations encompasses litigation of CC&R enforcement cases, appellate representation, defense of homeowner associations (e.g., breach of fiduciary obligation, wrongful termination, failure to maintain) and actions for declaratory relief.

Mary has also been an adjunct professor of law at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, and has authored texts for attorneys on federal and state law relating to senior communities, as well as numerous articles and handbooks for homeowner associations, including "Small Claims Court for Homeowner Associations," and the "Resource Manual for California Senior Communities." Mary has also served as a Judge Pro Tem for San Diego County's Municipal and Small Claims courts, and has appeared in various cases as an expert witness on homeowner association issues.

In 1994, 1996, 1997 and 1999, Mary was recognized for her practice in this area by her appointment as an instructor for the California State Bar's Continuing Education of the Bar series on Homeowner Associations. Mary is also a past president of the San Diego Chapter of the Community Associations Institute (CAI) and is a member of the College of Community Association Lawyers. Mary has been the editor of CAI's Journal of Community Association Law and a frequent lecturer at CAI's national Community Association Law Seminar.