Growney, McKeown & Barber - Mary McKeown

For over 25 years, H. Mary McKeown has been a devoted advocate for injury victims in St. Petersburg, the Tampa Bay area, and throughout Florida, helping them obtain the compensation they require to move forward in their lives.

Mary was born in West Palm Beach, Florida and raised in St. Petersburg. She began her legal career as an Assistant State Attorney in the 6th Judicial Circuit, working in St. Petersburg and Clearwater. She worked hard protecting the rights of children, prosecuting an array of criminal matters including sexual assault, murder, and child abuse.

Ms. McKeown is a shareholder in the law firm of Growney, McKeown & Barber, P.A. She has received an AV Preeminent Rating by Martidale Hubbel, which is a significant rating accomplishment and a testament to the fact that a lawyer’s peers rank her at the highest level of professional excellence based on ethical standards and professional ability. Less than 10% of all attorneys in the country are considered AV Preeminent.

She was an adjunct professor at Stetson College of Law, teaching trial advocacy from 1991 to 2012. She is also a certified Circuit Civil Law Mediator.

Mary has been active in the community through her involvement as a volunteer focusing on children’s issues for many years. Her involvement includes:

  • Girl Scout leader, 1991 – 2000
  • Board Member, Suncoast Girl Scout Council, 2006-2007
  • Guardian Ad Litem Program
  • The Child Welfare Standard and Training Council, 1991 – 1998, Chairperson, 1995 – 1998
  • The Nominee Qualifications Review Committee for the Health and Human Services Board, District 5, 1992 – 2000
  • The Study Commission on Child Welfare, 1990 – 1991
  • The Governor’s Drug Policy Task Force, Cocaine Babies Subcommittee, 1989 – 1990
  • The Governor’s Expert Team for the Protection of Children, Chair, February – March 1989

Areas of Practice

  • Personal Injury
  • Wrongful Death
  • Automobile Accidents
  • Truck Accidents
  • Motorcycle Accidents
  • Bicycle Accidents
  • Pedestrian Accidents
  • Premises liability
  • Slip and fall
  • Dog bites
  • Marital and family law

Education

  • Cumberland School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 1976
  • University of South Florida, B.A., 1972
  • St. Petersburg Junior College, A.A., 1970

Awards / Recognition

  • AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®
  • Tampa Bay’s Top Rated Lawyers
  • Leadership Pinellas — Class of 1993
  • Law and Order Award, 1991, Prosecutor of the Year
  • Victim Advocacy Award, 1984, Pinellas County Victim’s Rights Coalition
  • 2007 Egret Award Recipient, Suncoast Girl Scout Council

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Florida Bar, member, 1976
  • Florida Bar, 6th Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee, 1991 – 1994
  • Past Member of St. Petersburg Bar Association, member since 1977, past committees Bench Bar
  • Florida Academy of Trial Lawyers/Florida Justice Association, 1993 – present
  • Barney Masterson Inn of Court, Master, 1991 – 1996
  • Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity
  • Instructor Certification, Commission on Criminal Justice Standards and Training, 1990 – 1996
  • Gulf Beaches Rotary, member since 2008, Board of Directors, 2010 – 2013, 2015-present
  • 2017-2018 President, Gulf Beaches Rotary Club
  • 2018-2019 Gulf Beaches Rotary Foundation Chair
  • Paul Harris Fellow