Mary Maclean Asbill

Director, North Carolina Offices

Mary Maclean is a familiar SELC face in North Carolina, where she leads the legal and policy work throughout the state. Before taking on that role in late 2021, she served as the lead lobbyist for SELC’s Asheville and Chapel Hill offices in the state General Assembly. She has represented clients in state lawsuits related to the legislature as well as state boards and commissions.

Our mission is so important to me. Protecting our air, water, and communities is a true honor. Working here inspires me and makes my children proud of me.

North Carolina Office Director Mary Maclean Asbill

Within SELC, she served on the strategic planning committee, partnered with the development team, and co-chaired the Key Committee, responsible for leading SELC’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Her other leadership roles have included planning staff retreats, interviewing Glynn Key Fellows, and serving as a spokesperson for SELC.   

“Our mission is so important to me,” she says. “Protecting our air, water, and communities is a true honor. Working here inspires me and makes my children proud of me.”

In 2011, Mary Maclean started her current stint with SELC. Previously, she had worked as a staff attorney and contract attorney in the Atlanta office. In that earlier role, she represented Georgia and Alabama environmental groups in a Clean Water Act citizens’ suit in Alabama, and was involved in the Tri-State Water Wars negotiations between Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.  

Today, her home in Raleigh is not far from the state capital, home to the SELC work that makes her most proud: “Fighting at the North Carolina General Assembly on behalf of North Carolina’s citizens and natural resources.” 

Her fondest memories go back in Georgia, though, on the coast where her family vacationed when she was growing up. “I love it,” she said. “Such fond memories of swimming, sailing and crabbing there as a child.” 

Previous experience

• SELC, Atlanta office, staff attorney and contract attorney (1999-2003)
• North Carolina State Energy Office, project attorney 
• Kilpatrick Stockton, environmental, land use and natural resources team, counsel
• Emory University School of Law Turner Environmental Law Clinic, director
• Smith, Gambrell & Russell, environmental section, associate 
• J.D., University of Georgia School of Law
• B.A., University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
• With SELC since 2011