Attorney Carstarphen helps clients to immigrate – work – and sustain family unification through U. S. Immigration laws. She developed cultural sensitivity as a “military brat”. She was born in France and raised in Alabama.

She is a graduate of Alabama State University, B.S.and Howard University School of Law, J.D. cum laude in Washington, D.C. She served as a law clerk on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Judicial Circuit. She is licensed to practice by the Bars of the District of Columbia and State of Texas. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).

Attorney Mary L. Carstarphen practiced as a Red Book listed Municipal Ffinance Bond and underwriters counsel. She is a former Executive Director of the District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency. For ten years she was partner in the South Florida based Municipal Securites "Red Book" listed law firm.

As a Legal Counsel, Attorney Carstarphen  advised municipalities, academia, religious and community based organizations that served the culturally diverse Urban– Hispanic – Haitian French/ and Creole speaking communities of South Florida.

Attorney Mary L. Carstarphen joined the community based efforts to repeal the nation’s strictest anti- immigration law -Alabama HB 56, titled the Beason-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act. As a consequence, she returned to a federal practice devoted to civil rights of persons and famillies immigrating to the United States.

As an active member of LULAC, she remains active in the empowerment of immigrant families.