Mary Carolyn Brown

Mary Carolyn Brown is a Washington, D.C. land use lawyer focused on zoning, historic preservation, land entitlements, and administrative litigation. She guides developers, retailers, institutions, private schools, nonprofits, and homeowners through complex approval processes. Her practice includes land use strategy, historic property design review, zoning compliance, and building code issues. She represents clients before District agencies and appellate courts in matters involving development approvals and property use.

Carolyn earned a J.D. from The George Washington University Law School. She received an M.A. in American Studies and Historic Preservation from The George Washington University. She earned a B.A. in English and History from Villanova University. Her graduate training in historic preservation complements her legal work involving redevelopment, design review, and land use regulation. Her academic background supports a detailed understanding of historic resources and the regulatory issues surrounding development projects.

Carolyn has worked on significant Washington, D.C. development matters involving The Wharf at the Southwest Waterfront and the McMillan Sand Filtration Plant. Her experience includes matters concerning the former Randall School and other major redevelopment projects. She practices before the D.C. Zoning Commission, Board of Zoning Adjustment, Historic Preservation Review Board, and Mayor’s Agent for Historic Preservation. She has represented clients before the US Commission of Fine Arts and defended agency approvals in the D.C. Court of Appeals.

Mary Carolyn Brown combines legal experience with an earlier career as an architectural historian. She worked with the National Park Service and later evaluated historic properties for redevelopment while working with Wilkes Artis. She has served on the L’Enfant Trust Board of Trustees and participated in professional programs addressing zoning and historic preservation. Her background provides a practical perspective on projects requiring coordination among legal, regulatory, design, and preservation considerations.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, The Brown Law Firm PLLC
• Member, Bar Association of the District of Columbia
• Member, Maryland State Bar Association

Licensed State

• Maryland
• District of Columbia

Education

• The George Washington University Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• The George Washington University
  Master of Arts (MA)
• Villanova University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)