Mary Cataldo Elected to PASD Board of Directors

Mary Cataldo, a partner at White and Bright, LLP, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Probate Attorneys of San Diego (PASD). Cataldo will serve on the Board for the 2022-2025 term.

Giving Back to the Organization

Cataldo first became involved in PASD by attending training sessions and CLE presentations. She felt she greatly benefited from these programs and the organization itself, so when an opening appeared on the Board, Cataldo seized the opportunity. "It's important to give back when you get so much from an organization," Cataldo shared.

Cataldo also appreciated PASD for the mentorship opportunities offered by the organization. Many judges would offer mentorship to young attorneys through PASD and the North County Bar Association, another organization in which Cataldo is highly involved, having served as both President and a member of the Board.

Building Community

In addition to learning opportunities, PASD provides its members with opportunities to get to know each other on a more collegial level. Its events allow attorneys to develop personal connections and to focus on San Diego County community as a whole. Cataldo's favorite event is the Probate Prom - an annual event full of music, networking, and dancing. Cataldo appreciates the active role judges take when participating in the event.

The goal of PASD is to promote civility, collegiality, and camaraderie. The probate attorneys of San Diego are a tight-knit group with a heavy emphasis on relationships and mentorship. Additionally, the involvement of the judiciary serves as a valuable stepping stone in creating change in the community. Cataldo views this close relationship with the bench as a direct pipeline to fix what is not working quite right.

Cataldo's Background

Cataldo moved to Oceanside, California after graduating college. She originally thought she would become a teacher, but after trying her hand in the field she decided to attend legal secretary school. Cataldo's first experiences with law firms were as a typist, receptionist, word processor, and secretary. Soon afterward, Cataldo became a paralegal. Ever striving to grow more, Cataldo attended law school. She is now an experienced trust and estate and civil litigation attorney, and she became a Partner at White and Bright in 2019.