Meet Mary

Mary Pugh is a lifelong resident of Montgomery County who grew up in Lower Merion with her hard-working parents and four siblings. From an early age, she learned the values of dedication, service, and community—principles that continue to guide her today. When Mary and her husband, Bill, started their family, they chose to put down roots in Erdenheim, Springfield Township, where they have lived ever since. She enjoys living near her four daughters and five grandchildren, who bring her endless joy and inspiration.

Dedicated to Public Service 

Throughout her life, Mary has dedicated her time and resources to helping others. As a passionate advocate, Mary served on the Youth Aid Panel, a diversionary program to help kids stay out of trouble for nearly 10 years. She spear-headed the Civics program for junior high students in the Norristown School District for over 10 years and served as a leader in the local Reading Olympics program, a field hockey coach, and a mentor for high school teenagers. 

Besides community activities, Mary uses her legal and personal experience and serves on the Montgomery County Youth Center Board of Managers, the Family Justice Advisory Board, and the Domestic Violence Legal Network of Montgomery County. She has served on the Pennsylvania Leadership Roundtable, the Montgomery County Office of Children & Youth Citizens Advisory Committee, the Pennsylvania Roundtable: Transitioning Youth from Child Welfare Services, and the Montgomery County Children’s Roundtable Committee, the Montgomery Bar Association (President 2019), Pennsylvania Bar association (Delegate 2018-present).

Experienced Legal Advocate

With over 35 years of legal experience, Mary Pugh dedicated her career to ensuring everyone has access to justice.  Early in her career, she concentrated her legal practice in the area of medical malpractice and appellate law. 

In 2005, Mary became a child advocate for Montgomery Child Advocacy Project, MCAP. MCAP is a non-profit dedicated to representing abused, neglected, and trafficked children in the legal arenas with specially trained court-appointed lawyers. From 2006 until 2024, she served as the Chief Executive Officer for MCAP running the daily operations and maintained a full caseload representing abused, neglected, and trafficked children in all the legal arenas appearing before all of the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas Judges. She also promotes the rights of children and child welfare reforms locally and nationally and expands initiatives in child abuse education and advocacy.

Mary dedicates her legal service to education and conducted over 800 educational seminars for Judges, professionals, stakeholders, elected officials, students, and the general public. 

Mary Pugh received her bachelor’s degree from Rosemont College, graduating summa cum laude. She received the Genevieve Blatt Award and Esther Sylvester Law School scholarship to Villanova Law School where she served as a member of the Law Review from 1985-1986.