Mary Augsburger

Mary Augsburger holds the distinction as the first female CEO of the Ohio State Bar Association and only the fourth leader in the organization’s 138-year history. As CEO, Augsburger leads and directs this $11 million professional legal association that represents more than 21,000 Ohio lawyers and judges. She leads a 64-person staff, and oversees all programs and services to members.

Augsburger began her career in the Ohio Senate as chief legal counsel and policy adviser for the Ohio Senate Majority Caucus. She drafted and negotiated proposed legislation for criminal and civil justice initiatives, finance and elections law changes, and state budget issues. Additionally, she managed litigation involving members of the Senate, the legislative process and constitutional challenges to state laws.

After a brief stint in private practice, Augsburger returned to her true passion of public service and advocacy as division chief counsel and department policy advisor to the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Financial Institutions. From there, she moved to the Ohio Auditor of State, where she served as director of policy and public affairs. In her role, she formulated and drafted strategic policy initiatives. In 2012, Augsburger joined the Ohio State Bar Association as legislative counsel, where she managed the OSBA’s legislative program.