Member Bio
Mary G. Erlingson is a founding member and the managing partner of Erlingson Banks, PLLC. Mary is a native of Opelousas, Louisiana, receiving a Bachelor of Arts from Louisiana State University in 1984 and a Juris Doctorate from Louisiana State University in 1989. Mary serves as general counsel to several law enforcement agencies in Louisiana. In addition, Mary represents various public entities in civil litigation in both state and federal courts. Her dual role as general counsel and defense attorney has provided Mary with the unique opportunity to develop many related areas of practice including governmental relations, employment law, ethics law, law enforcement defense, corrections defense, commercial litigation and administrative law. She is licensed to practice before all state courts in Louisiana including for the Middle, Eastern, and Western Districts of Louisiana. She is also licensed to practice law in Texas, the District of Columbia, and the United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
Mary works with clients in a broad range of matters representing the East Baton Rouge Sheriff as general counsel involving tax, foreclosure, civil litigation and civil rights. In addition Mary also does general litigation in the areas of property and casualty defense, administrative law, and in a variety of business matters.
Mary is active in the community through involvement with several nonprofits in her community. She has participated in the Board of Directors of Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response (STAR), Baton Rouge Area Victims Empowered, Family Youth Service Center, TRUCE, and UpLIFTD. She has also served as the President of the Board of Directors for UpLIFTD and STAR. Mary is currently serving as the current Vice President of the Capital Area Family Justice Center which is a nonprofit committed to facilitating the development and implementation of a comprehensive domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault, and stalking response system. Mary is also passionate about the Women's Community Rehabilitation Center of Baton Rouge which is committed to the mental health recovery of women who suffer from severe and persistent mental illness, most of whom have recently been discharged from the hospital and are homeless, through individual counseling, group therapy, educational programs, and vocational development. Mary is also a current board member of the Rotary Foundation, the Foundation’s purpose is to receive, administer, and expend funds and gifts for charitable, educational, scientific, and cultural purposes. Rotary promotes vocational services and high ethical standards for members, hosts projects and activities to improve our community, promotes humanitarian outreach around the globe, and implements leadership and development activities to enhance the community.
Mary Erlingson has an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. This is highest standard rating awarded to attorneys that have reached the highest of professional excellence. This rating recognizes attorneys with the highest levels of skill and integrity and is generated through extensive peer review.
Mary is a member of the Defense Research Institute which is an international organization consisting of defense attorneys. DRI strives to enhance the skills and effectiveness of members, anticipate and address common issues, and improve the civil justice system. Mary was the Program Vice Chair of the Governmental Liability and Civil Rights Annual Conference for 2021-2022. Additionally, Mary has been a speaker at previous DRI annual conferences and provides leadership for the Governmental Liability and Civil Rights committee through her partnership with the Industry Chair from 2019 to 2021.
Mary Erlingson was nominated by her peers to become of member of the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel and passed the extensive selection process in February of 2022. Membership is awarded to those who have differentiated themselves professionally and personally and earned exemplary reputations. The Federation is an international professional trade association of vetted and premier defense and corporate counsel and industry executives dedicated to leading the profession by advancing the principles of integrity, professionalism, fair civil justice, intellectual capital, and fostering the trust and value of fellowship and referrals to our FDCC peers. The FDCC’s mission is to advance and sustain an equitable civil justice system now and for future generations through a community and network of trusted, leading, and innovative industry legal professionals.
Mary Erlingson is also a member of the Lawyers of Distinction, a legal honorary organization that recognizes the most distinguished lawyers through a comprehensive peer nomination and Selection Committee review process.