Overview
“I cannot express how grateful I am that Mary-Claire Petcoff represented me during my divorce. I required an attorney to protect me and my interests and help me navigate the emotional turmoil while providing sound legal advice. From our first interaction, Mary-Claire demonstrated immense professionalism, comprehensive understanding of family law, and a genuine compassion for my difficult circumstances. Mary-Claire was always available to answer my questions, discuss options, and provide counsel as we considered the potential outcomes. She masterfully handled correspondence with all parties and negotiated skillfully on my behalf. I always felt like her top priority, even though I am certain she was providing the same excellent service for her other clients. If you are looking for an attorney with decency and integrity who will go the extra mile to protect your interests, I cannot recommend Mary-Claire highly enough.”
Mary-Claire Petcoff has a wide variety of experience counseling clients in real estate, family law, and civil litigation matters.
Mary-Claire received her Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland. During law school and the year afterward, she clerked for the chief judge of the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court, where she gained experience in a wide variety of civil, criminal and domestic relations cases.
Mary-Claire relocated to Michigan in 2017, where she joined a small general practice firm and quickly began to take on her own clients. She brought her talents to Williams, Williams, Rattner & Plunkett at the beginning of 2018, where her wide variety of experience in real estate, domestic relations and civil litigation matters has made her a knowledgeable resource on many areas of the law.
She advises real estate clients regarding commercial and residential real estate transactions and the required transactional documents. She has significant experience in real estate litigation issues such as contracts, quiet title, trespass, nuisance, construction and riparian rights. She is also experienced in municipal land use and zoning matters.
In the domestic relations arena, Mary-Claire specializes in high-asset divorces, division of property and business assets and LGBTQ+ matters. She also works with clients seeking guardianships of minors. Mary-Claire is both passionate and compassionate in her representation and prides herself on making her clients feel heard and understood.
Some of Mary-Claire’s career highlights include drafting a writ of certiorari to the Supreme Court of the United States, arguing in the Michigan Court of Appeals, and working with legislators and the LGBTQ+ Bar Association to amend outdated Michigan statutes following the Obergefell v Hodges decision to reflect marriage equality.
She has also represented clients in a wide variety of litigation disputes, from business contracts to torts.
Mary-Claire is efficient but thorough. She prides herself on her excellent communication skills, honesty and integrity.
Professional Affiliations
- State Bar of Michigan
- Family Law Section
- LGBTQ+ Section
- Oakland County Bar Association
Community/Civic Activities
- City of Birmingham Advisory Parking Committee
Admissions
- Michigan, 2017
Clerkships
- Law Clerk to the Hon. Ronald A. Silkworth, Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, Maryland, 2016
Practices ›
Practices
Education ›
Education
- University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, Juris Doctor, 2016
- Certification in Transformative Mediation
- Bucknell University, Bachelor of Arts in History, cum laude, 2013
- Minors in International Relations and French
- Community Judicial Board
- Equestrian Team
- Certified by the Diplôme d’étude en langue française (DELF), level B2
