Leadership Spotlight: Mary Okeiyi Ekpu, Esq.

Biography

Mary Okeiyi Ekpu, is a nurse attorney and Manager of Client Operations & Legal Project Management at a top 10 AM Law Firm, where she supports their Healthcare and Litigation Enforcement Practice Groups. These firms are known for their massive scale, high revenue, and ability to handle complex legal matters for large corporate clients. With over a decade of experience as a critical care nurse and seven years as an attorney, Mary brings a uniquely integrated clinical, legal, and operational perspective to complex healthcare matters.

In her role, Mary partners with attorneys, clients, and executive stakeholders to drive strategic initiatives across healthcare regulatory, transactional, and litigation matters. She helps lead efforts focused on financial performance, matter management, budgeting, and process optimization; ensuring that legal services are delivered efficiently, transparently, and in alignment with client expectations and outside counsel guidelines. Her work sits at the intersection of healthcare delivery, legal strategy, and operational excellence.

Mary is also the founder of @nursemaryesquire, a platform dedicated to educating and empowering nurses, healthcare professionals, and legal practitioners on the evolving intersection of healthcare and law. Through her content, she translates complex regulatory, clinical, and legal issues into accessible, actionable insights for a broad audience.

Leadership in Nursing

Mary brings a uniquely integrated clinical, legal, and operational perspective to complex healthcare matters. Her work sits at the intersection of healthcare delivery, legal strategy, and operational excellence.

She is frequently sought out by nurses, attorneys, and professionals for guidance on career transitions, business development, and navigating the intersection of healthcare and law.

Education & Academic Influence

• JD
• RN
• BSN
• Research and content development focused on the intersection of healthcare policy, workforce sustainability, and access to advanced nursing education
• Regulatory and financial implications of federal policy changes impacting graduate nursing programs
• The role of nurse attorneys in shaping healthcare systems, compliance, and patient advocacy

Clinical & Professional Impact

• Manager of Client Operations & Legal Project Management at a top 10 AM Law Firm
• Supports Healthcare and Litigation Enforcement Practice Groups
• Drives strategic initiatives across healthcare regulatory, transactional, and litigation matters
• Leads efforts focused on financial performance, matter management, budgeting, and process optimization
• Development of structured budgeting and matter management frameworks
• Implementation of data driven reporting and client facing value metrics
• Integration of legal operations strategies to improve transparency, predictability, and client outcomes

Awards & Recognition

• 2025 Healthcare Advocacy Award Recipient – The Nurses Magazine
• Recognized for her leadership in advancing healthcare education, advocacy, and interdisciplinary collaboration between nursing and law

Recent Accomplishments

Client Operations & Legal Project Management Leadership (Ropes & Gray): Spearheading initiatives that enhance financial performance, budget accuracy, and operational efficiency across healthcare matters.

Through TAANA (The American Association of Nurse Attorneys) she has contributed to ongoing discussions and collaborative efforts with healthcare professionals, legal practitioners, and national organizations to elevate awareness around these issues and advocate for equitable, sustainable healthcare systems.

Mary is an active member of IWILL: Inspiring Women in Law League, a global network supporting women in law through mentorship, career development, and community-building.